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#1:General 
This is the first help section in this sample
system.

This text fits within one window, and does not
require splitting into separate pages.
#2:Strings
The STRINGS unit in the library provides
enhanced string-handling features that are not
found in Turbo Pascal itself.  

These include the ability to pad, truncate, and
justify strings, and to allow on-screen display
of strings, real numbers, integer numbers, dates,
and times.  (Press PgDn for more text.)
Notice how this help section has been split into
two pages.  If the help window were to be made
larger, the unit would automatically adjust the
pages to suit.

The file EXSTR demonstrates some of the features.
#3:Math unit
The MATH and MATH87 units provide facilities
for programs that must convert between
various units of measurement.

Typical functions change degrees Fahrenheit
to degrees Centigrade, or yards to inches.
#4:Time

This unit provide facilities for handling
dates and times.  You can input, manipulate,
and display dates and times in a variety of
ways, making this unit a help in many
application programs.
#5:ENHCON
The Enhanced-Console unit will be found
invaluable for any application program which
uses on-screen editing.

In addition to routines for handling low-level
activities, such as detecting which keyboard
locks are active and changing the size of the
cursor, there are routines for editing integers,
real numbers, strings, dates, and times.  These
all allow you to build user interfaces which can
be used by the novice computer operator or
professional alike.

#6:Using windows
The ENHCON unit also provides all the routines
necessary for a program to effectively use
display windows.

The windows can be "tiled" (i.e. not overlapping)
or "layered" (i.e. overlapping).  A window can be
opened, closed, or selected any time, and there
is also provision for a window to be removed from
the screen but have its contents preserved for 
later restoration.

Windows can have borders with headers and footers,
and each program can have up to 255 windows
defined at any one time.
#7:Help system
The help system built into the ENHCON unit can be
used to provide your user applications with an
on-line, "pop-up" help system.

A help index is automatically built and formatted,
thus allowing the programmer to concentrate on
actually writing the help text rather than having 
to spend considerable time on layout details.
General and context-sensitive help is available at
the touch of a key, and the unit's operation is
transparent to the calling program.

The on-line help system has very few limitations.
First, there can be a maximum of 1,000 lines in
each section.  Second, each help system can have
a maximum of 255 sections.

The second limitation can be overcome for very
large application programs by having multiple
help files.  The TPLIB reference manual
explains how to accomplish this without too
much difficulty.

Many large commercial programs have an on-line
help system, and with the complexity of much
modern software it is hardly surprising.

This unit gives you the opportunity to give
your own programs the same touch.  Indeed, you
may find that programs that previously required
a printed manual now require only the help text
provided with the software.
#8:Standard error access
A simple unit which allows access to the standard
error device.

The sample program EXSTDERR demonstrates this.
#9:Critical errors
Another simple unit which allows the operating
system's critical-error handler to be restored
for a particular program.

It is also possible for a program to have its 
own error handler, although such a task should
only be attempted by experienced programmers.
#10:Comments
Please remember that your comments and
suggestions for future version of Turbo Pascal
Library are always welcome.

It is my aim to provide programmers like myself
with the development tools they require.



Send your comments to:

                Paul Coxwell
                30 Alford Road
                Sutton-on-Sea
                LN12 2HH
                England
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