2.1-55 Default Values

When likely default values can be defined for the information to be entered in a particular task, those default values should be offered to speed entry.

Additional Information:
When defaults are defined that may vary from one transaction to another, users should be informed of the current default logic. For example, "Press ENTER to see more options." If a consistent default is adopted throughout interface design, that default need not be explicitly indicated for each individual transaction. Here the phrase "null control entry" refers to pressing an ENTER key without first keying a command or option code (and without any accompanying data). It does not refer to defaults for optional parameters that might accompany a valid control entry, whose values might be displayed only at user request. It is not necessary that any defaults be defined for null control entries. In such cases, the computer might simply respond "ENTER alone is not recognized here."