SetTime is a simple Time Protocol (RFC868) client, written to demonstrate:

• Windows programming in Visual C++
• Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC)
• WinSock Programming over the Internet
• Dynamically resized Fonts and Buttons
• Memory based Device Contexts (DC)
• Right Mouse Button Menus
• Status Bar Handling
• Graphic Bitmaps as Menu options
• Registry Persistence of Parameters and Options
• Basic GDI Graphics Operations
• Basic Command Line handling

For newbies looking to get into Windows programming with Visual C++, the learning curve is steep. Not only do you have to wrestle with the new object oriented syntax and 'paradigm' of C++, but the Windows API as encapsulated in MFC as well.

In my case, I found existing literature on the subject to be essentially useless, with one exception. The excellent Visual C++: Developing Professional Applications in Windows 95 and NT Using MFC by Marshall Brain and Lance Lovette.

With this example oriented textbook under your belt, you can look forward to the day when the Visual C++ Tutorial that came with the compiler will almost make sense. As such, SetTime borrows shamelessly from the style and content presented within the books pages.

SetTime is the result of my need to have a useful application to force me up the learning curve. It's most salient benefit is that it implements a complete program in one, readable source code file, namely SetTime.cpp. This program is deliberately more of a tutorial, rather than yet another Time Synchronizer.

Another goal was to use the Visual C++ Integrated Development Environment *without* the Appwizard and Classwizard code generators. This allows me to demonstrate basic concepts without the boatload of implementation and header files typical of AppWizard projects.

By walking through SetTime and referencing Brain & Lovette's textbook as well as VC++'s on-line documentation, you will build an awareness of how a minimal Windows program is built, with enough features to form an effective underpinning for further study.

Incidentally, you can use it to keep your system clock (or your wristwatch) in step with the rhythms of the universe, while learning valuable and marketable skills in a burgeoning area of the computer industry. It's no exaggeration that programmers who can craft Internet aware apps will always be in demand.

So stay tuned, and in the meantime, please feel free to forward questions or comments about the methods employed within SetTime to pinter@p-squared.com.

SetTime Source Code kit

SetTime is Bearware. That is: free. All I ask is that you drop a Postcard in my Guestbook with your Name and the City you are connecting from, strictly so I can see how far from bear country SetTime has wandered.

In closing, I'd like to thank everyone for all the positive Email and Guestbook comments. I'm gratified that so many people throughout the world have used SetTime as a basis for further study in VC++, MFC and WinSock programming. Between us all, we'll figure this stuff out...

Best regards,

/P²

Revision History:

96/07/25:

• Have frozen the code for SetTime in advance of porting it to what is clearly the next direction in network oriented programming languages: Java. My intention is to demonstrate equivalent functionality, if possible, using Visual J++.

96/07/12:

• Completely overhauled the WinSock subsystem to use Microsoft's CAsyncSocket class. This has resulted in cleaner, more obvious coding as well as improved performance. This latest refinement means that SetTime is specific to VC++ 4.0 or higher, which has been current for quite some time anyway.

96/05/30:

• Added a key in the System Registry to remember the last Timebase selected. The key is: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\P-Squared\SetTime\Options\TimeBase and defaults to tick.usno.navy.mil the first time SetTime is run.
  
• Added an Alternate Timebase Selection dialog box for those users for whom the US Naval Observatory in Washington, DC is not the nearest timebase.
  
• Added Basic Command Line Handling. Now, anything on the command line (ie: /RunOnce) will cause SetTime to attempt to reset the system clock from the last selected Timebase. Useful if you are always connected to the Internet and have put SetTime in your STARTUP folder.
  
• Added a couple of GDI Graphics Objects to demonstrate basic functionality. The intention is to eventually adopt a panel display that resembles Michael Okuda's bridge consoles on Star Trek:The Next Generation, widely known as Okudagrams.
  
• Added a Message Box when SetTime discovers the PC is more than 30 minutes off from the Timebase clock. This helps catch bogus TZ variables. Safety tip: if a Timebase consistently reports the wrong time, it's a sign your TZ variable is set wrong. If you don't need a TZ variable in your AUTOEXEC.BAT, then remove it, and let Windows (NT or 95) handle Timezones and Daylight Savings Time settings.
  
• Still no sign of the final version of Microsoft's ActiveX controls, and specifically the Internet Control Pack. I'm only waiting because I want to see C++ examples; only Visual Basic examples are currently provided. Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how adept Microsoft is at producing Betas lately, rather than finished software?
  
• Lastly, I've been thinking about putting a line-by-line description of SetTime together to help explain what is going on and why. If you are interested in seeing this in a HTML document, send a note to pinter@p-squared.com with your vote.