Have you ever had more than one Non-Visual component on forms at Design-Time, well this non-visual component is for you. This component collects all other non-visual components so that you will get more space on your form while designing. This component is only for administration and to speed your development at design-time. It is VERY simple, just drop this component on the form, all your non-visual components will be moved to the Popup menu of this component (right click). To remove it, just delete it and it will restore all your previous non-visual components placements.
Installation
Install the COMPCOLL.DCU file via the 'Install Component' menu option in Delphi. If any problems occurs, you can get your old library back from the backup file *.BAK that Delphi automatically makes. (for more instructions see page 69 in the Users Guide). NOTE the search path in the 'Install Components dialog' is limited to 255 characters (this component must be in that search path).
Features
* Select a non-visual component from the Popup-Menu.
* Exclude Classes, Parent Classes or specific component names with the Exclude property.
* Double click to select the latest chosen component.
* Remembers the old placement when this component is removed.
* Remove this component when you don't need it anymore whithout any harm done.
* New inserted components will be maintained by clicking on the Update property.
* Maintains all Non-Visual components
* Paging for different screen resolutions (MaxPopupItems)
Freeware
The freeware version can only maintain four components and is released as the Term 'Freeware'. Feel free to use it as much as you like both as business and private. The copyright is still there even in the 'Freeware' version according to Borland's User License Agreement.
Limitations
The freeware version is restricted to only four non-visual components while the sharp version can maintain unlimited nr of components and includes full source code. Please read the Registration paragraph if you would like to support future development as well as getting the sharp version.
Other components
* Multi Language Component package, just drop the TMultLang component on your form and you will be able to sell your application in other parts of the World in minutes. Supports Run-Time language switching, Design and Run-Time dynamic language editing independant of the running Windows version. Portable between Windows 3.1, 95 and NT. Download the trial package (no stripped functions) from CompuServe (DELPHI forum, library 3'rd party, MULTLANG.ZIP) or the Internet site http://www.computer-shopper.com/magazine/delphi.htm.
* Multi Language Edit Control, fully UNICODE conformant. Supports mixing scripts like Right-To Left editing systems (Arabic, Hebrew etc). Replacement for TMemo or TEdit because this edit control can edit buffer or file sizes up to 2Gb without allocating unneccesary memory. No Windows edit CLASS descendant, has it's own rendering system to fully support UNICODE. Please contact Author for more information.
Bug fixes, Ideas etc
If you detect any bugs or would like to suggest ideas for improvments then please email them to PWang@msn.com or send a fax to +61 2 3269032.
Copyright Notice
Users of this component must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"The TComponentCollector is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of the TComponentCollector component."
Registration
The sharp version can maintain unlimited number of non-visual components, and you can learn about Component manipulation at Design-Time from the included source.
It also includes lifetime support. Registration can be submitted on CompuServe in the SWREG forum (GO SWREG). Search for 'Collector'. Upon registration you will be E-Mail'ed the latest version of both the component and the source code (Around 10Kb).
1 Royalty Free License including the source code US$ 19
