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HELPSYS2.DOC
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1994-03-10
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HELPSYS 2.03
(c)1994 - Jeff Lewis
This product is being released as a Shareware product. This
means that the shareware version of the program may be freely copied
and evaluated by anyone. If you decide that this product will suit
your needs, simply send a $30.00 donation to us and we will send you a
more powerful version of the software that lets you have more control.
Also included will be several functions that allow window
manipulation, printing, database and video stack saving. These will
be documented and include sample programs on usage.
Send an additional $10.00 for FULL Source Code.
This HelpSys module was designed for quick and easy help screens
without adding a single line of code to your Clipper 5.01 or Clipper
5.2 application. Simply link in the object file, include the
HELPSYS2.LIB file and create your help text file. That's all there is
to it. You'll have field level help with out much work or effort on
your part.
Also included in this package is a networking module that makes
networking tasks easier to manage. Several other functions are
currently being prepared to add to this library. The concept here is
that when you register for the HelpSys2 product, youÆll automatically
be registered for the other products that make their way into this
library. When obtaining Source Code for HelpSys 2.x you receive
source code for all libraries included.
The Shareware version does NOT contain some of the help control
modules and window printing modules. This version is also slightly
crippled, when pressing F1 to invoke the help screen(s), you can only
bring up the help screens a total of 10 times per application
execution. This should be more than sufficient for your testing.
Also, upon registering, for an additional $10.00 I will send you full
Source Code that you can modify as needed. I know that when
developing, I always feel more comfortable about my application when
using libraries that I have control over. You will not be allowed to
distribute the source code or object code for the registered version
of this software.
The majority of these functions are FULLY functional, no anoying
messages or restrictions. You can test these functions in your programs
for a period of 30 days. After that you are required to register this
software.
Registered users of HelpSys 1.1 can upgrade for the difference
price ($10.00). Also, upon registering, if you've received source
code for HelpSys 1.1, you will also receive source code for 2.x for no
additional cost to you.
Features:
Network Ready!
Norton Guide compatible Help File
Press F1 for help from any screen and field
Help Key is redefinable
On-Line help without any additional programming
Field Level Help with a professional look
Procedural level help for non-field entries
Capable of Several Screens of help per field, not just one
Intelligent help window moving when help window covers the current field
Multi-level Help
Automatic Help Topics index is displayed when no further help is
available
Toggle between Development and User modes while developing on-line help
Window and Text Color Control
Window Positioning Control
Additional Features after registering:
Generic Window functions that can be used in your own programs
(including printing within a window)
Network Functions with status messaging
Video Stack function calls
Database Stack function calls
Quick Alert Printing function
[Optional Source Code written entirely in Clipper 5]
Get the complete CURRENT VERSION
SUPPORT
Why should I register?
I feel that after all this work and effort, $30.00 is a minimal
charge for providing such capabilities (+ $10.00 if you want the
source code). There are several other routines that I've written over
the past several years that I'll plan on releasing as Shareware
(including software security routines). This is to everyoneÆs
advantage. Upon registering, you'll be registered for Network and
other libraries that migrate their way into the HelpSys 2.x series.
[For International Orders, please include and additional $5.00 US
Funds for shipping outside USA]
When registering, please provide me with your Compuserve or
Internet account name or address if you have one. This will allow me
to send minor updates free (other than CIS, Internet or postage
charges).
Jeff Lewis
P.O. Box 441456
Indianapolis, Indiana 46244
CIS: 70711,3030
INTERNET: JLEWIS@HYRAX.IUPUI.EDU
HelpSys 2.0x - For the Developer
Initially you will need to tell HelpSys 2.0 that you are a
developer. You can do this by setting the environment variable
HELPMODE to any value at the command prompt.
i.e.
SET HELPMODE=DEVELOPER
When starting from scratch on a help database, you will need a
HelpSys database created for you. This is done automatically when
invoking HelpSys 2.xx AND in DEVELOPER MODE.
Once this has been entered and HelpSys2 is invoked from your
application (via the F1 key) you will see a message appear in the
upper left corner of the screen [Developer Mode]. This enables you to
press F1 anytime you want to edit existing help or create additional
help screens. When a new help screen is created, you will be notified
via an alert. You can then edit the help (or blank help window) and
press ESC when done. It will automatically be saved at that point.
The F2 key is available to toggle between Developer mode and User
mode while developing your application level help. In other words,
when HELPSYS is invoked AND HELPMODE has been set the F2 key becomes
active. When in Developer mode, you can add Help Screens. When in
the User mode, when no more help is available, a Help Topics list will
automatically appear or all available help. Also, since the HELPMODE
was defined you can delete unwanted Help Screens by pressing the DEL
key on the highlighted help topic and confirming the 'Are you sure you
want to delete this entry?' question.
The Help Topics list will appear when no help is available while
HELPMODE has not been assigned (no deleting will be allowed if
HELPMODE is not defined) or while in User mode. The help topic is
ALWAYS the FIRST LINE IN THE HELP SCREEN.
Program Notes:
When Linking include HELPSYS2.OBJ with your program and include
HELPSYS2.LIB
[NOTE: If your using Clipper 5.01 use the HELPSYS1.OBJ and HELPSYS1.LIB
files instead of HELPSYS2.xxx]
RTLINK FILE TEST.OBJ,HELPSYS2.OBJ LIB HELPSYS2
or
BLINKER FI TEST.OBJ HELPSYS2.OBJ LIB HELPSYS2
Using other RDD's
Using index or memo file formats other than .NTX or .DBT
HelpSys 2.xx does not have any hardcoded database or index
extensions. This means that you can use any CLIPPER RDD compliant
product. HelpSys 2.xx has been tested with FLEXFILE II and COMIX.
The beginning code segment in the main application looked like
the following:
Example Beginning Code for FlexFile usage
.
.
REQUEST FLEXFILE // Use FlexFile as the primary DB Drive
RDDSETDEFAULT("FLEXFILE") // and Default
.
.
Example Beginning Code for Comix usage
.
.