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How to run help files

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    How to run help files

    I have created a 'genuine' Windows help file (vs. an A5 form containing help.
    What is the correct way of running it, using xbasic?
    I have tried sys_shell(c:pathmyhelp.hlp), nothing happens from a menu, out of memory error if run in the interactive window. Seems to work OK if I put winhelp before the c:path etc. etc.
    Thanks in advance.

    #2
    RE: How to run help files


    I use this to get the Contents of my HLP file (Item 1 in my outline):
    HELP_FILENAME = :a5.get_path()+"|membe.hlp"
    sys_shell("winhelp -n1 "+help_filename)
    end

    I use this to get the sixth item in the outline of my HLP file:
    help_filename = :a5.get_path()+"|membe.hlp"
    sys_shell("winhelp -n6 "+help_filename)
    end

    In both cases my HLP file is located in the same folder as the current ADB (database), and I substitute a backslash for the vertical bar you see here.

    -- tom

    Comment


      #3
      RE: How to run help files

      Don, you can also go directly to "context sensitive" help pages by using (surprise, surprise) context numbers in the Help file.

      I use an old Win3.x help file compiler that was available with the Alpha5v1 professional version. Below is one of the calling scripts:


      DECLARE USER32 WinHelp@WinHelpA WWCWL

      current_path = a5.get_path() + chr(92)

      IF file_exists( current_path + "ptrack4.hlp" )
      WinHelp( 0, current_path + "ptrack4.hlp", 1, 1010 )
      WinHelp( 0, current_path + "ptrack4.hlp", 3, 0 ) 'To go directly to contents.
      ELSE
      ui_msg_box( "HELP NOT FOUND", "Could not locate the 'PTrack4.hlp' file.", 16 )
      END IF

      END


      I think there is another calling method that is more appropriate to newer Help files but you should be able to find it somewhere in the A5v4 documentation. (I'd look it up but my wife's calling me to dinner....)

      Comment


        #4
        RE: How to run help files

        It's probably not very clear in my previous posting but in the line:

        WinHelp( 0, current_path + "ptrack4.hlp", 1, 1010 )

        the "1" is just *required* - I have no idea what it does - and the "1010" is the context number I assigned to a topic in the help file.

        To get to the contents page they are changed to "3, 0". I don't know why - I just know it works.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: How to run help files

          Dear Don,

          Attached is a sample script for A5. I used the "help system" in a prior version of A5 so I don't know if there are any changes needed for A5 V4.x. I believe this sample script came with A5 so I don't know who wrote it.

          Comment


            #6
            RE: How to run help files

            Hi Tom -
            Thanks for your reply. However I have been unable to make it work. To avoid confusion I should tell you that I am using A5 3.04. Is there a difference in SYS_SHELL between 3.04 and 4? I understand the examples in your reply but as bar as I can tell SYS_SHELL in 3.04 requires every thing inside the ()'s to be enclosed in quote marks. When I set it up as per your examples Winhelp starts but then says pops up an error saying no file name supplied.
            Hope I am not coming across as too much of a 'dolt' but just when I think I am getting a handle on A5 somthing simple like this trips me up! :>)
            Thanks for your help.

            Comment


              #7
              RE: How to run help files

              Thanks to all who offered help on this.
              It's very much appreciated.

              Comment

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