Connections

Connections can be created between two or more WTP applets. When a connection is made, the applet being connected to responds by displaying the same symbol as its parent (i.e., the connecting applet). As the parent's symbol changes, so does its child (the applet the parent is connected to), if defined as such. Child applets cannot change their symbol while the connection is active. At any time, each child applet can be disconnected from its parent, or the parent applet can disconnect all its child applets.

In addition to symbols, other information can be transferred from a parent applet to its child (such as the Option Quote Cube sending price and side types to the Order Ticket).

A Connections Manager is used to define the circumstances under which a child applet responds to a function of its parent and other child applets.

A connection is also a physical link, so when the parent applet is moved around the screen its children move along with it.

Connections between applets can be saved in a template. When a saved template is launched the parent/child relationship is maintained.

In the image below, Option Quote Cube is the parent applet and a connection has been established between three child applets:

A connection is made from the parent applet to a child applet via the Send to--> command (found in the Action menu of WTP applets).

Select a parent applet.
From the Action column in the parent applet go to Send to--> and select a WTP applet

Repeat as necessary.

Once a destination applet has been selected, a parent/child relationship will exist.

Note: Connections are not applicable for the following applets: Instant Messenger, Managed Order Console, Wave Grid.

The parent/child connections are seen in the image above. The circumstances under which the child applet responds to actions in the parent applet are defined in the Connections Manager.

Launch the Connections Manager

From the parent or child, right-click on the applet and select Connections Manager.

Note: In addition to relationships between parent and child applets, relationships can also be established between one child applet and another and are also defined in the Connections Manager.

List Mode and Grid Mode

The Connections Manager can be displayed in Grid Mode or List Mode. They perform identical functions, only the display differs.

This is the Connections Manager in both modes for the Option Quote Cube parent and 3 child applets:


Grid Mode	List Mode

The Connections Manager Window

In both modes, the Connections Manager Window is divided into four areas:

Grid Mode:

DEL key—Select this key to delete a specific Parent/Child action. Note: If a row is accidentally deleted, exit the Connections Manager by selecting Cancel, then re-launch the Connections Manager. The row will have been un-deleted.

Source—Any applets that currently act as a source for the destination applet. By default, each destination applet will have all possible relationships with the parent applet. The parent is denoted by (main) next to its name.

Action—The action refers to the action in the parent that will cause the destination applet to respond. There are three actions available:

1. Double Click—A child applet will change its symbol to match its parent when there is a double-click on a field in the parent applet.

2. Selection—A child applet will change its symbol to match its parent when an item is selected in the parent applet.

3. Broadcast—A child applet will change its symbol to match its parent when the parent applet selects a different symbol.

Destination—Select a child applet in the Destination column. In the example above, two different actions (Broadcast and Selection) have been made for the three destination applets.

While in Grid mode, the Source/Action/Destination columns can be edited. Click on any field (including a blank field) and select a source/action/destination from each column's drop-down list.

Select Done to save any edits. To view connections in List Mode select the List Mode button.

List Mode:

The functions in List Mode are identical to those in Grid Mode, only the interface is a bit different.

To add an action and destination from a source, select the Source/Action/Destination. If this connection is allowable, the Connect button will be available. Press it to create a new connection.

Delete a Parent/Child Connection: In the "Connections" portion of the Connections Manager, select a row to be deleted and press Disconnect.

Press Done to save any edits to the Connections Manager or Cancel to exit without saving.