MIL-DTL-87268D
3.4.1.4.4 Alert dialogs. Alert messages shall include warnings, cautions, and notes; any message,
communication, notice, or output which requires manual acknowledgment; or message generated as a result
of erroneous inputs or sequence control actions. Alerts shall provide information regarding processing
status. Alerts shall also provide status of the system internal components, e.g., low battery power, improper
functioning of the operating system, or memory module.
3.4.1.4.4.1 Alert information content. Alerts shall be brief, consistent, strictly factual, informative, and
written in the active voice. Alerts shall not imply or ascribe blame to the user, "personalize" the computer,
or attempt to make the content of the information humorous. Alerts regarding calls to erroneous or
potentially destructive external systems shall be displayed. Following an interruption of data processing or
database navigation/sequencing command, e.g., CANCEL, an advisory message shall be displayed indicating
that the system has returned to its previous status.
3.4.1.4.4.2 Choice dialogs. A choice dialog shall require one or more selections from a group of choices.
Choice dialogs shall consist of a single choice dialog, multiple choice dialog, or a combination of the two.
Radio buttons and check boxes shall be used to indicate choices and shall be left justiied and separated
from text descriptors by at least one blank space. If choices are placed in columns, the check box or radio
button position shall be left justiied with respect to the column. Each response alternative listed in a dialog
box shall be given a short, unique, descriptive label (see igure 3).
3.4.1.4.5 Single choice (radio buttons). Selectable items that are mutually exclusive i.e., only one can be
selected at any time shall be presented as a single choice dialog constructed using radio buttons. Radio buttons
shall be grouped into lists of mutually exclusive choices. Each radio button shall appear as a consistent
shape, e.g., a circle and shall be marked with a visual indicator when the button is selected (see igure 3).
3.4.1.4.5.1 Multiple choice (check boxes). A multiple choice dialog shall be the type of dialog in which one
or more selections are able to be made from a group of choices. Multiple selections shall be made using check
boxes. Check boxes shall be grouped into lists of non-mutually exclusive choices. The user shall be given
the capability to check one or more of these boxes as needed using the cursor or number selection technique.
Each button shall appear as a consistent shape, e.g., a square and shall be marked with a visual indicator
when the button is selected. Check boxes shall employ different shapes from radio buttons (see igure 3).
3.4.1.4.5.2 Data Entry dialogs. Data Entry dialogs shall require entry of alphanumeric characters in response
to displayed questions or data entry ields, e.g., inputting user identiication data; entering the title or
number of database frames containing errors or discrepancies. All Data Entry dialogs data entries shall be
prompted explicitly by displayed labels for data ields. The user shall be given the capability to DELETE or
otherwise change previous entries (see igure 3).
3.4.1.4.6 Selection-in-list. The selection-in-list shall provide the means of manipulating lists of data to
a point where an item can be highlighted and an action on the item taken. The selection-in-list shall
enable the user to choose from an existing list of items that is either long or variable in length. In
addition to the standard features of all dialogs, the selection-in-list shall have at least two additional
characteristics: a window containing the content listing and a vertical scroll bar when the entire list
will not it within the window (see igure 3).
3.4.1.4.6.1 Combination dialog. A composite of the previous types of dialogs shall be located together in
one dialog box, when required.
3.4.2 Display formatting and user interaction requirements. The following paragraphs describe the standard
data types (text, graphics, tables, and user prompts) that shall be displayable in the client area. When
standard data types are individually displayed in data panes, those data panes shall have the capability to be
linked to form one logical unit of technical information display within a single window frame.
3.4.2.1 Textual information. Textual information shall consist of alphanumeric data consisting of letters,
words, sentences, paragraphs, numbers, etc., in accordance with style guidelines described earlier in
this speciication.
3.4.2.2 Display of text. Textual information shall be displayed in data panes of the client area. Text shall
be displayed in uppercase and lowercase characters.
15
For Parts Inquires call Parts Hangar, Inc (727) 493-0744
© Copyright 2015 Integrated Publishing, Inc.
A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business