Appendix E Alternative Methods for Accessing Java Console Functions

You can use alternative methods for accessing the Java Console. These alternative methods are for users with disabilities and are part of Sun's compliance with the United States government's Section 508 regulations. For example, users with vision impairment might use software to read the product screens. Thus the product has descriptions of images, field names and screens. In addition, users, who cannot use a mouse, can use keyboard shortcuts to use the product.

The the following features enable you to perform management functions by using either a command-line interface (CLI) or the Java Console:

• Associated tooltips for all images

• Associated Accessible Name for all fields

• An Accessible Description for all screens

In addition, the Java Console enables you to perform functions by using your keyboard as well as your mouse.

This chapter describes the following features that are provided for the Java Console:

• General Keyboard Navigation

• Keyboard Shortcuts

• Mnemonics

• Images and Graphs

General Keyboard Navigation

The Java Console indicates the active window component, called the focus, by either a blinking cursor or, in the case of buttons or check boxes, a blue border. On some screens, a default button might be identified by a black border. To change focus or activate a button, use the appropriate mechanism:

• To move the focus from field to field within a window, use the Tab key. To move the focus backward through the fields, use Shift+Tab. If the focus is in an element such as a field that allows tabs to be used, then use Ctrl+Tab and Ctrl+Shift+Tab to move the focus through the fields.

• Within a group of components, use the arrow keys to move up and down. For example, after you have tabbed to a particular list-item field, use the arrow keys to move among the list items.

• To select a button on a window, change focus to the button, then use the spacebar to activate the button.

• When a default button is identified on a window, press the Return key to activate that function.

• To navigate through a hierarchical topology, use the up and down arrow keys to move between levels. Use the left arrow key to expand a level and the right arrow key to collapse a level.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are keystroke combinations that activate a menu item from the keyboard even if the menu for that command is not currently displayed. Keyboard shortcuts usually consist of a modifier key and a character key, like Ctrl+Z, or a few special keys, such as F1 and Delete. Unlike mnemonics, keyboard shortcuts do not display menus. They perform the indicated actions directly.

Table E–1 provides a list of the standard keyboard shortcuts that the Java Console supports.

Table E–1 Common Java Console Navigation and Activation Keys

Keyboard Operation	Action
Tab	Navigates to the next focusable component.
Shift+Tab	Navigates to the previous focusable component.
Control+Tab	Navigates to the next focusable component. This navigation works even if the component that previously had focus accepts tabs.
Left Arrow	Moves focus left one character or component.
Right Arrow	Moves focus right one character or component.
Up arrow	Moves focus up one line or component.
Down arrow	Moves focus down one line or component.
Page Up	Moves up one pane of information.
Page Down	Moves down one pane of information.
Home	Moves to the beginning of the data. In a table, moves to the beginning of a row.
End	Moves to the end of the data. In a table, moves to the last cell in a row.
Return	Activates the default command button.
Escape	Dismisses a menu or dialog box without changes. Cancels a drag-and-drop operation in progress.
Spacebar	Activates the component that has keyboard focus.

Mnemonics

Mnemonics provide another keyboard alternative to the mouse. A mnemonic is an underlined alphanumeric character in a menu title, menu item, or other interface component. A mnemonic reminds you how to activate the equivalent command by simultaneously pressing the Alt key and the character key that corresponds to the underlined letter or numeral.

When the keyboard focus is not in a text element, you do not always need to use the Alt key. For example, to choose the Exit command from the File menu, you can hold down the Alt key and press F to display the File menu, then release the Alt key, and press X.

After you have displayed a menu with a keyboard sequence, any subsequent keypress activates a command only from that menu. For example, you can press Alt+F to display the File menu and then type A to activate the Save As command. Alternately, you can press Alt+E to display the Edit menu, and then type A to activate the Select All command.

All menu items in Sun Management Center 3.6.1 have mnemonics. A given letter might apply to a different function, depending on the menu or the window.

Images and Graphs

Throughout the Java Console, images indicate screen navigation. These images contain alternative text that you can display when you move your mouse over the image or use other similar technology. In addition, some graphs also provide a text-only view of the data in tabular format. Look for this feature on the graph windows.