Displaying the Exchange Results
When the user has completed the initial data entry for the data on these cards, we will display the output information on a new card. To do this, we have created a card called Display, which offers a single option to return to the previous card. We have provided this option because the user has reached the end of the navigational path and will need to go backwards to continue to move through the application.
<card id="display" title="Exchange results">
<do type="accept" label="Back">
<go href="#currency"/>
</do>
After the user has been prompted on the display card, we want to display the information to the user in the format of $10 USD converts to 50 units. These units could be francs, lira, pounds, deutsche marks, and so on. To accomplish this task, the WMLScript we will examine shortly has assembled a few variables and stored them on our WAP device. The former variable corresponds to the original amount of U.S. dollars (orig_amount) and the latter variable corresponds to the amount of the new currency (new_amount). By displaying these two variables to the user, we have transferred the knowledge regarding the currency conversion.
<p>
<b>$$$orig_amount</b> USD <br/>
converts to <br/>
<b>$new_amount</b><br/>
</p>
</card>
In the preceding code, you'll notice we elected to surround the original amount and new amount in bold to make the important information leap out to the user. As you can see in Figure 15.3, this serves as a visual clue to the user to highlight the important information.
Figure 15.3. Bold text can help the user determine what information is most important on the screen.
Tip
Use font formatting when possible to keep your key pieces of data easily distinguishable; otherwise, data on the screen tends to flow together due to interface characteristics of WAP devices. Also note that not all devices support font formatting, so use it, but don't rely on it.
Additionally, we have separated the display into three lines. This also serves as a visual clue to the user regarding the location of the information. We have put each important piece of data on its own line.
Tip
Use line breaks to keep the key pieces of data even more distinguishable. By providing visual breaks on the WAP display, the user will be able to focus on the key parts of the data more easily.