Message

Source: CUA, Motif, Windows
Aliases: Message dialog, Prompt dialog, Question
Dialog, Warning dialog, Working dialog (Motif)
SCO Visual Tcl commands: VtErrorDialog, VtFileSelectionDialog,
VtFormDialog, VtInformationDialog, VtMessageDialog,
VtQuestionDialog, VtSelectionDialog, VtWarningDialog,
VtWorkingDialog

A message is a visual cue that appears in message boxes, giving users information or notifying them of problems, or text describing the consequence of an action or results of an action.

Kinds of messages

Information messages

These contain the lowercase letter ``i'' in a circle. They give information as the application runs, reporting normal events.

Warning messages

These contain an exclamation mark in a circle. They warn users about undesirable or potentially damaging situations. Warning messages interrupt the application and await instructions from the user.

Action messages

These contain a STOP sign. They notify users of serious problems requiring user intervention. Action messages interrupt the application and await instructions from the user.

Characteristics

• Text in messages is worded in the active voice:

     Stop, this action will remove all data.
  

• Messages are modal, they interrupt the user's interaction with the application, and require user input to continue.

• Accompanied by a beep.

• Can be phrased as either a question (use Yes and No) or a directive (use OK and Cancel).