You can also change many attribute values at run time, even those for static objects. You simply place the attribute reference on the left side of an assignment. The documentation of the individual attributes in the ABL Reference tells you whether you can set them. Generally, at run time you cannot change attributes that are part of the definition of an object, such as its initial value or its display type. But many attributes can change during program execution, such as attributes that define whether an object is hidden or visible and whether it is enabled or disabled. Even some basic display attributes such as a field’s font or a button’s label can change at run time to give greater flexibility to your application’s interface. If you try to set an attribute for an object that is not settable, you get a run-time error telling you so.

To get a full description of any attribute from online help, including what object types it applies to and whether it is readable, writable, or both:

  1. Highlight the attribute keyword in any OpenEdge editor window:
  2. Press F1. The online help for the selected entry appears:
  3. When you click the DISPLAY button, the help text appears: