Copyright: VB Bookmark Help Copyright © 1994 Peopleware


Contents

Overview of VB Bookmark

Configuring VB Bookmark

The buttonbar at left is main interface from which VB Bookmark is run.  Click on this sample buttonbar for a brief explanation of each button.

Usage Tips

How to Exit from VB Bookmark.

How to Register your copy of VB Bookmark.

Technical Support

About VB Bookmark


Overview

Source code in Visual Basic can be scattered among many modules and subroutines. Unless you have a stadium-size monitor, you will find yourself constantly jumping from place to place as you program.  Often it is difficult to keep track of where you have been.  VB Bookmark is the answer to this problem.

VB Bookmark is a utility that allows you to insert place markers into your Visual Basic code so that you may easily return to the same location at a later time.  By placing multiple "bookmarks" you can easily jump among any number of points in your code.  Any bookmarks that you insert into your code, are saved with the code, thus preserving them from session to session.

When bookmarks are placed, they may be associated in logical groups (i.e. place bookmarks in each routine related to a particualr operation).  You can then cycle among the bookmarks of one group without seeing other bookmarks.  VB Bookmark allows you to maintain as many as three groups of bookmarks, with an unlimited number of bookmarks within each group.  Once a bookmark is placed, you can quickly return to that location from anywhere in your program by clicking a Find button.

If you are using the Large Buttonbar, you may place a bookmark in Groups 1, 2, or 3.  To conserve screen space, the Small Buttonbar only allows mouse access to Group-1 bookmarks (hotkeys for Groups 2 and 3 are still active though).  You may change the size of the buttonbar at any time without affecting any bookmarks you have already placed.

Bookmarks are transparent to the VB compiler, they do not need to be removed before you compile your project.  For housekeeping convenience however, there is an option that allows you to remove all the bookmarks in a group, or in all three groups, from your code in a single step.


How to Register

VB Bookmark is shareware.  When you register this program by sending the registration fee of $25 (CA residents add $1.81 sales tax), you will receive a registration code that will allow you to bypass the delay in the opening screen.  You will also automatically be notified of future updates.

You may register by phone, fax, CompuServe mail, or US Mail.  Registration codes will be returned the same way.

By Mail   Send payment (Check, Visa, or MC) and a Registration Form to:

Peopleware

1253 Monticello Rd

Napa, CA 94558

By Phone   For instant registration call 800-959-2509 with your credit card.

By Fax   Fax a Registration Form to 707-258-0813

By CompuServe   If you have a CompuServe account, you can register online.  Access the Software Registration Database (GO SWREG), and use 3148 as the Registration ID.  We will send you a VB Bookmark registration code by CompuServe mail.

Once you have a VB Bookmark registration code, click the Register button on the first VB Bookmark screen and enter the code.

Benefits of Registration

1) Bypass the delay in the opening screen

2) Automatic notification of future updates

3) Free update to version 1.2 (when available)

4) Our thanks for supporting future development


Place a Bookmark

You place a bookmark into your code by clicking on a Place Button in the Bookmark buttonbar.  A bookmark is then placed into your code on the line that contains the insertion point .  The number 1 beneath the arrow on the button above indicates that it will place a Group-1 bookmark.

Once a bookmark is placed, you can quickly return to that location from anywhere in your program by clicking the Find button.

Mouse   If you are using the Large Buttonbar, you may place a bookmark in Groups 1, 2, or 3.  If you are using the Small Buttonbar, only Group-1 bookmarks may be placed with the mouse .  You may change the size of the buttonbar at any time without affecting any bookmarks you have already placed.

Keyboard   You may define hotkeys that enable you to place bookmarks from the keyboard.  Hotkeys give you access to all three Groups regardless of the size buttonbar you are using.  See How to Define Hotkeys.


Find a Bookmark

To find a previously placed bookmark, click on the Find button corresponding to the group number for the bookmark.  The number 1 inside the magnifying glass on the button above indicates that it will find a Group-1 bookmark.

After you have found the first bookmark in a group, you can locate any additional bookmarks in that group by pressing F3.  You may search backward within a group by pressing Shift F3.

Mouse   If you are using the Large Buttonbar, you may find a bookmark in Groups 1, 2, or 3.  If you are using the Small Buttonbar, only Group-1 bookmarks may be found. You may change the size of the buttonbar at any time without affecting any bookmarks you have already placed.

Keyboard   You may define hotkeys that enable you to find bookmarks from the keyboard.  Hotkeys give you access to all three Groups regardless of the size buttonbar you are using.  See How to Define Hotkeys.


Configure VB Bookmark

Use this feature to configure VB Bookmark.  Click on the Window below for an explanation of each option.  Selections are saved from session to session.


Hotkeys Button

Pressing this button will bring up a secondary screen that will allow you to define hotkeys.


Buttonbar Location

There are two options for locating the VB Bookmark buttonbar:

On VB - Integrates the Bookmark buttonbar into the Visual Basic buttonbar.

Custom - Allows you to place the buttonbar anywhere on the screen.


Move to Custom Location

If you have chosen the Custom Buttonbar Location, there are two methods for relocating the buttonbar.  When the Configuration Screen is visible, use the Move button to move the buttonbar to a new custom location:

1) Click the Move button, and a special Moveable Form of the buttonbar with a mini caption bar appears.

2) Grab the buttonbar by the mini caption and drag it to the new desired location.

3) Click the Control Button of the mini caption to lock the buttonbar in place.

4) If the buttonbar is located where you want it, click Accept to accept the configuration changes, or click Cancel if you have changed your mind.

The second method is used when Configuration Screen is not visible, and the buttonbar is active.  Simply drag the buttonbar to a new location using the right mouse button.


Move Button

When you have chosen the Custom buttonbar location, this button allows you to Move the buttonbar to another custom location.  This button is not available when the buttonbar is located On VB.


Buttonbar Size

VB Bookmark allows you to choose from two sizes of buttonbars.  The large one consists of a two by four array of buttons, and allows you to place/find bookmarks in three groups.  The small buttonbar greatly reduces the footprint of the application by presenting only three buttons.  It allows you to access Group-1 bookmarks only.


Buttonbar Shape

  You may choose from either a vertical or horizontal shape for the buttonbar.


Stay On Top

When this box is checked, the buttonbar will always remain visible, and will never be covered (or partially covered) by another window.  This setting has no effect when the buttonbar is integrated with VB (the VB Location).


Speed Exit

The default Large Buttonbar does not have an Exit button visible in the buttonbar.  If you want to be able to exit from VB Bookmark without going to the configuration screen, you should choose the Speed Exit option.  This option will replace the Help Button [image] in the buttonbar with an Exit Button [image].  Help will still be available as a menu item on the configuration screen.


Autoload VB

When this box is checked, VB Bookmark will check to see if Visual Basic is running.  If VB is not running, it will automatically be loaded before VB Bookmark is loaded.  This option allows you to launch both Visual Basic and VB Bookmark with one click.


Remove All Bookmarks
Remove Bookmarks

When you click this button, all bookmarks, from either a single group (1, 2, or 3), or from All groups, will be removed from your project.  You may use this as a housecleaning button to clean old bookmarks from a project.  Note however that bookmarks are transparent to the VB compiler, and therefore do not need to be removed before you compile your project for distribution.


Accept Configuration Screen

The VB Bookmark buttonbar is not active when the configuration screen is visible.  This button implements any changes you have made on the configuration screen, hides the screen and reactivates the buttonbar.

Also see: Cancel


Cancel Configuration Screen

If you decide that you don't like the changes you've made to the configuration, you may use this option to cancel the changes.  The VB Bookmark buttonbar will be restored to the state it was in before you entered the configuration screen.


Exit VB Bookmark

Clicking the Exit button will end the VB Bookmark program.  Any bookmarks that you have set will remain in place, and will be available when you restart VB Bookmark.

If you are using the SmallButtonbar, or the default Large Buttonbar, there is no Exit button visible in the buttonbar.  In this case, the only way you can exit VB Bookmark is to press the Configure Button [image] and then press the Exit Bookmark button on the configuration screen.

Also see: Speed Exit


Place Button

Click this button to Place a bookmark in your Visual Basic  code.


Find Button

Click this button to Find a bookmark that you have previously placed into your Visual Basic code.


Configure Button

Click this button to Configure the size, location, and other options of the VB Bookmark buttonbar.


Exit Button

Click this button to Exit VB Bookmark.


About VB Bookmark

To determine the version number of your copy of VB Bookmark, click Help/About on the Configuration screen.

The most recent version of VB Bookmark may be obtained from the Grapevine BBS 707-257-2338, or on CompuServe.


Insertion point

When you click on a line of code in a VB code window, an insertion point is created, and the cursor becomes a vertical bar to mark the point.


Large Buttonbar

The large buttonbar allows you to place and search for bookmarks in any of three groups (numbered 1, 2, and 3).  To switch to the large buttonbar, click on the Configure Button, a window will pop up allowing you to change the buttonbar size.  Changing the size of the buttonbar will not affect any currently placed bookmarks.


Small Buttonbar

The small buttonbar allows you to place and search for bookmarks only in group 1.  To switch to the small buttonbar, click on the Configure Button, a window will pop up allowing you to change the buttonbar size.  Changing the size of the buttonbar will not affect any currently placed bookmarks.


Technical Support

Technical support for this product is provided on CompuServe.  Please address email to 71251,1465.

Technical support can also be obtained by addressing mail to me (Frank Sommer) on the Grapevine BBS, 707-257-2338.


Exiting From VB Bookmark

The way to exit from VB Bookmark depends on which buttonbar you are using.  The default buttonbar (either Large, or Small) does not contain an Exit button.  If you are using the default buttonbar, you must press the Configure Button [image], and then click the Exit Bookmark button on the configuration screen.

If you have selected the Speed Exit option on the configuration screen, the Help Button [image] on the buttonbar is replaced by an Exit Button [image].  This allows you to exit from VB Bookmark from the buttonbar.  Help will still be available as a menu item from the configuration screen.

You may also assign a hotkey that will allow you to exit from VB Bookmark. See How to Define Hotkeys.


Help Button

Click this button to envoke the help file system (this document).  Use the Speed Exit option to replace this button with an Exit Button.


VB Bookmark Registration Form

Click the Print button, and fax this form to: 707-258-0813

Or mail it to: Peopleware, 1253 Monticello Rd., Napa, CA 94558


Moveable Buttonbar

This special "moveable" version of the buttonbar can be used to move the buttonbar about on the screen.  Just click on the mini caption (the green portion of the bar) and drag it to the new desired location.  After you drop it, click on the control button (at the left end of the mini caption) to close the moveable buttonbar.


Auto Exit

When this box is checked, VB Bookmark will automatically be exited when you exit from VB.  Checking this box will also cause the Autoload VB box to be checked as well.

 If you select the On VB Buttonbar Location for the buttonbar, Auto Exit is automatically checked for you.


Usage Tips

Bookmark Groups   Situation: You are working on a subroutine (named DoStuff) that is called from several places in your code, and you want a better view of the big picture.

To pull it all together, place a bookmark on each subroutine call and on the subroutine itself.  Do this by using Edit/Find, and search for DoStuff.  Place a Group-1 (2, or 3) bookmark on each occurrence, and press F3 to find the next DoStuff.

Once you have a bookmark on each DoStuff, it is easy to find them again.  Click on Find-1 to find the first occurrence.  The particular bookmark that will first be found  when you click Find-1 is not always easy to predict, but it will find one of them.  To jump to the next DoStuff reference, press F3 (Find Next).  You can quickly cycle through all references by repeatedly pressing F3.  Do not use repeated clicks on Find-1, as this is not a reliable way to find all of the references (it is also slower).

When you are done with DoStuff, select the Remove 1 option under the Bookmarks section of the Configuration Screen, and click the Remove button, this will remove all of the DoStuff bookmarks.

Toolbar Position   Suggested locations for the VB Bookmark buttonbar:

1)  Choose the Vertical shape, and the Small size for the button bar.  Place it at the extreme left edge of the screen, about half way down form the top.  Select Stay on Top.  While stay-on-top can be a nuisance with some applications, it works particularly well with this positioning of the button bar.  When you maximize a code window to full-screen, the buttonbar will snuggle in the indentation area of the code, and not obscure any of it.

2)  Choose the Horizontal shape, and the Large size for the button bar.  Place it at the extreme top edge of the screen, just to the right of the Help menu item on the Visual Basic window.  Select Stay on Top.  When located here, the buttonbar will be out of the way, in the non-client area of the Visual Basic window.  It will also be in the non-client area of any code window that you maximize to full-screen, and not obscure any of it.


How to Define Hotkeys

This screen is used to define hotkey combinations that will activate VB Bookmark.  In this example, Alt-Q has been assigned to activate the Configuration Screen.


Functions

This box contains a list of the VB Bookmark functions to which a hotkey can be assigned.  The highlighted function (in this case Configure) is the one to which the Assigned Key on the right (in this case Alt-Q) pertains.


Enable Hotkeys

By making a selection here, you can temporarily enable or disable VB Bookmark hotkeys.  This is handy if a kotkey combination you have chosen conflicts with another piece of software that you want to use.


Assigned Keystroke

Use this dropdown list to select the particular keyboard key you want to assign the selected VB Bookmark function to.  The complete kotkey combination is a combination of keystroke and shift state.


Assigned Shift State

Use these check boxes to define the shift state you want to use to modify the selected hotkey.  You may select none, all, or any combination of shifts.  The complete kotkey combination is a combination of keystroke and shift state.


Accept Hotkeys

Press this button if you want to accept the hotkey change(s) you have made.  Any changes you accept will remain in force (even from session to session) until you change them again.  The hotkey dialog will close.


Cancel Hotkeys

Press this button if you change your mind about the hotkey changes you have made.  The hotkey dialog will close.


Hotkeys

Hotkeys are key combinations which, when pressed, will activate specific VB Bookmark functions without having to use the mouse.  With hotkeys, you can use VB Bookmark even if the buttonbar is not visible.


BBS Tips - Grapevine

To locate the latest version of VB Bookmark on the Grapevine BBS (707-257-2338), log on and do the following:

1). Wade through the opening screens until you reach the Main Menu.

2). Press F for Files.

3). Press S for Search.

4). When asked for filename, type BOOKMK*.ZIP.

5). When asked "What directories", type A for All.

6). A list of files will be displayed, type D to download.

7). The first file in the resulting list will be the most recent version.  When asked for filename, enter the name of the most recent version.


BBS Tips - CompuServe

To locate the latest version of VB Bookmark on CompuServe, do the following:

1).  At any prompt type GO MSBASIC.

2).  Go to Library 17 (3rd-Party Vendors).

3).  Search for BOOKMK.ZIP.