There is no doubt that the application's interface is very important to users - no matter how excellent code, if the user discovers that the application is difficult
Use, it is difficult to accept it well. Therefore, in the process of developing applications, developers must pay attention to user interface.
Sex. In this paper, use VisualBasic as an example to introduce the reader to create a friendly user interface.
Interface design foundation
1. What is a good interface?
When designing the user interface, it is best to look at Microsoft or other company's more excellent applications, we will find many general
Things, such as toolbars, status bars, tool tips, context menu, and tag dialog, etc. You can also use software yourself.
Experience, think about some applications that have been used, which are very easy.
In addition, it is necessary to note that most successful applications offer a variety of options to adapt to different users' preference. E.g
MicrosoftWindows' Source Manager allows users to copy files through menus, with a keyboard or mouse to drag and drop. Provide the same
A variety of ways of operation, will expand the application's appeal. At least all functions should be accessed by the mouse and keyboard.
2.Windows Interface Guidelines
The main advantage of the Windows operating system is to provide a public interface for all applications. Know how to use
The user of the Windows application is easy to learn to use other applications. And the application with the created interface guidelines is not too far
Easy to make people like it.
The menu is a good example of this - most Windows-based applications follow this standard: "File"
The menu is on the left, then "Edit", "Tools", etc. Optional menu, the rightmost is the Help menu. The position of the submenu is also
Very important. Users are expected to find "copy", "Cut" and "Paste" and other submenus, if they move them to
The "File" menu will cause the user's confusion. Don't deviate too far from the created criteria, unless you have a good reason.
3. Location of the control
Typically, in the user interface, important or frequently accessible elements should be placed in a significant location, not very important elements.
It should be downgraded to less significant positions to ensure that the more important elements are quickly displayed to the user.
For most natural languages, we are used to reading from left to right from left to right, from top to bottom. For computer screens
As such, most users' eyes will first look at the top left of the screen, so the most important element should be placed on the top left of the screen.
Bit. For example, if the information on the form is related to the user, its name field should be displayed in the place where it is first seen. Life
Let the button, such as "OK" or "Next", should be placed on the lower right part of the screen (because the user does not complete the form of the form)
These buttons are usually not accessed.
You should try to logically packetize the element according to the function or relationship, such as the button of the positioning database (such as "Next", "final
One ") should be divided into groups instead of dispersion in the form of the form. Rethinking each field is usually divided into a group,
Because they are tight. In many cases, a frame control can be used to group.
4. Consistency of interface elements
In user interface design, consistency is an advantage. The consistent look and feel can create a harmony in the application. Such as
The fruit interface lacks consistency, it is likely to cause confusion, and make the application seems to have no provision, and may even cause the application.
By doubt.
Although a large number of controls can be used in VisualBasic, it should be as good as possible to suit the control of specific applications.
Subset. For example, although the listing boxes, combo boxes, networks, and trees can be used to represent information list, it is best to use as much as possible.
One type.
Also, try to use the control properly, although the TextBox control can be set to read-only and to display text, but the Label control is usually more suitable for this purpose. Keep consistency when setting properties for controls, if you editable in a place, use a white back
The scenery, unless there is a good reason, don't use gray in other places.
Keeping consistency between different forms in applications There is a very important role in its availability. If used on a form
The gray background and three-dimensional effect, and use a white background and two-dimensional effect on another form, these two forms appear no phase.
dry.
5. Blank space
Some user interfaces use blank space help to protrude elements and improve availability. There are too many controls on a form that will lead
It is very difficult to find a field or control, which needs to be inserted into blank space in the design to highlight design elements.
The consistent interval between the controls and the alignment of vertical and horizontal direction elements can make the design more available. Just like the text in the magazine
Symptom, arrange the ranks, the line spacing, and the neat interface will make it easy to read.
VisualBasic offers several tools that are very easy to adjust the spacing, arrangement, and size of the control. "Arrange", "according to phase
The same size "," horizontal spacing "," vertical spacing "and" in the form "menu can be found in the Format menu
.
6. Color
Using colors on the interface can increase visual appeal, a small amount of bright colors can effectively lead to people's important areas.
note. However, you should try to limit the types of colors used in the application, and hue should also be consistent. If possible, the most
Good insistence on the standard 16-color palette.
7. Images and icons
The use of pictures and icons can also increase the visual interest, but the careful design is essential, such as
If the user does not easily identify the functions represented by the icon, it will be very bad. When designing the toolbar icon, check the other should
Use the program to find out what standards have been created. For example, many applications use a piece of paper that has a crimped paper.
"Icon. Maybe there is a better metaphor to represent this feature. But use other representations to cause confusion of users.
8. Font
The font is also an important part of the user interface because they often deliver important information to users. Need to choose different resolutions
Fonts that can be readily read on different types of displays. Standard Windows fonts should be used, such as Arial,
NEWTIMESROMAN or SYSTEM. If a non-standard font is used, then when the user's system is not included, the specified font is not included.
The system uses an alternative font, and the result may be completely different from the idea.
Also, the consistency of the design is very important when selecting the font. In most cases, it should not be used in the application.
The font.
Error handling
This will always have such problems when using programs. Program designers should be as comprehensive as possible when designing user interfaces
Consider the possible errors, and determine which one requires a user interaction, which one can be resolved according to the prior schedule.
1. Create a dialog that is easy to understand
An error occurs occurs in the app, and it is necessary to make judgments to solve this situation. This usually appears as a branch of the code
IF ... Then statement or CASE statement. If this judgment is interactive with the user, this problem is usually submitted to the user with a dialog.
I believe that any programmer uses the dialog to interact with the user, and the key issue is to take the language that the user is easy to understand. Such as this
Message: "The sector of the hard disk C is damaged or cannot be accessed. Surperse, retry, ignore?", This is not reasonable for general users.
solution. Better expression can be "There is a problem in the C disk, please save the file in a disk. Do not save the file?"
When you create a dialog for your application, you should think of the user. Does this message convey useful information to users? It is easy to understand
? Does the command button indicate clear? Does this choose a given condition? 2. Don't use the error handling of the zoom frame
Do not always interrupt the user when the error occurs. Sometimes it is more desirable to use code to handle errors, or keep it
The method of the user workflow is stopped to remind the user. Very good example is "Auto Correct" function in MicrosoftWord: if ordinary single
The word is missing, Word automatically modifies it; if it is not commonly used to spell, it will make a red line to remind users to correct.
There is a lot of techniques to use:
(1) Add the "Cancel" function in the Edit menu. For deletion, etc., interrupt with it with its "OK" dialog.
Households, it is better to make sure they make the right decision and provide "revoke" features to make the idea after they will change their ideas.
(2) Display the message on the status bar or icon. If the error does not affect the user's current task, do not stop the application. Use
State columns or bright warning icons to warn users - can handle this problem after they are ready.
(3) directly correct the problem. Sometimes the wrong solution is obvious, for example, when the user tries to save the file, the disk is full,
Check the search space in his drive. If the space is available, save the file; display a message in the status bar tells the user to do some
what.
Design a perfect help system
No matter how good the user interface is designed, sometimes the user needs help. Should be based on the difficult level of operation and the user's category,
Differently, the relatively perfect help system, the methods that can be employed include online help, tool tips, status bars,
"What is this" help, etc.
Online help
Online help is an important part of any application, which is usually the first place to view when there is a problem. Even simple applications
The program should also provide "Help".
When designing "Online Help", remember that its main purpose is to answer questions. Creating the topic name and index entry try to use
The term is terminated, for example, how do I format the page? "It is easier to find the topic than" Edit "," Page Format "menu.
In many cases, it is necessary to provide context-related help. If the user presses the F1 button, the relevant help appears immediately.
The screen will be very satisfied.
2. Tool Tips
Tool Tips are a small label that displays the associated help information when the mouse pointer is on the control. Search on the user interface
When you ask, the tool tips are a good way to display information to them.
Most VisualBasic controls contain the property tooltiptext for displaying the tooltip, you can use this property as a control.
For tool tips, such as: cmdprint.tooltiptext = "Print Document"
3. Status display
Status display is a good way to provide instructions or messages that are less suitable for tooltips, including professional version in VisualBasic
The status stripe controls in the Enterprise Edition can display the message well, and the Label control can also be used as a status display.
The text displayed in the status display can be updated with one of the following two methods: Gotfocus events or forms, or
Use the mousemove event.
4. "What is this" help
"What is this" Help refers to the small question mark in the upper right corner of the form and click the control, or press the mouse directly on the control.
When right-click, the help information appears. "What is this" helps provide links to pop-up "Help" themes, a slightly complex application
The order should provide this helpful form.
