Modifying Form Events on the fly

[tlyon]

I thought at one time I had this figured out, but I guess I have misplaced my previous work on it. I have searched the forum and found what looks like a solution, but cannot make that work.

Here's the question: How may I modify a form's events (OnKey, OnTimer, etc.) on the fly? I would like to use another open form as the template for the event code and set the code up right after the form initializes from a form-loading script that I use. I've studied the code in the manual (page 56) and applied it as directed to no avail, but the manual specifically states that the code shown in it applies to object events on a form, not form events themselves.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Tom Lyon

[JohnZaleski]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

Tom,
The following script will show your form's on key event:
showcode = :My_form.code.OnKey
ui_msg_box("Display Onkey script",showcode)

It is text. I assume you could change it with something like the following:

newcode = "first line" + chr(13) + chr(10) + "second line"
:My_form.code.OnKey = newcode

[tlyon]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

I get 'argument is incorrect data type when issuing:
showcode = :PIM6.code.OnKey
ui_msg_box("Display Onkey script",showcode)

It's a multiline script..going to try it with a single line script.

[tlyon]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

Ran into some more info.

I wrote this script to test things out:

PIMdata = :Pimmenu.code.OnKey
PIMfile = file.open("alpha5ca5PIMPIMkey.txt", FILE_RW_SHARED)
PIMfile.write(PIMdata)
PIMfile.close()
PIMfile = file.open("alpha5ca5PIMPIMkey.txt", FILE_RW_SHARED)
:PIM6.code.OnKey = ""
while .not. PIMfile.EOF()
PIMline = PIMfile.read_line() + chr(13) + chr(10)
:PIM6.code.OnKey = :PIM6.code.OnKey + PIMline
end while
PIMfile.close()
PIMdata = :PIM6.code.OnKey
PIMfile = file.open("alpha5ca5PIMPIM6key.txt", FILE_RW_SHARED)
PIMfile.write(PIMdata)
PIMfile.close()

After running it, PIMkey.txt has a file size of 3594 bytes.
PIM6key.txt has a file size of 1050 bytes.
Coincidentally, pasting all but the last line of PIM6key.txt into the OnKey code of PIM6 works. Pasting the last line gives the 'Out of Windows Memory" error. I'd guess that when using XBasic to modify code, an action script is assumed, which reaches the 1K character limit.

Tom Lyon

[Peter.Wayne]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

you can certainly make your onkey code
script_play(global_script)
which should get around any size limit.

[csda1]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

Hi Peter,

I would normally use a function call, but it's the same difference. However, I would not normally do that for certain events, particularly the OnTimer and OnKey events. These are so low-level, that any extra time for the script play or function call could have an impact on keyboard responsiveness.

Instead, replacing the code with the desired code (hopefully written as efficiently as possible) would be the preferred method.

We'll have fun arguing the pros and cons next week! See you at the Alpha 5 Conference! :?)

Regards,

Ira J. Perlow
Computer Systems Design & Associates
[email protected]

[tlyon]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

I tried the script method..it's just tolerable, but not much fun. Hopefully, I can rewrite the code. I only need to shave 2/3 of it :)

Tom Lyon

[JohnZaleski]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

If using global scripts makes it "just tolerable" you mean generally poor keyboard responsiveness, you could try something else.

1) If you have a number of fields that need some fancy key behavior, you could turn it on at the onarrive event of the field obj. Then you could turn it off when departing the field object.This way, your basic data entry would be unaffected by extensive onkey code except when editing a particular field.
2) If you have any large tasks that are coded into the onkey event, put the code for the task on a button and execute a buttonpush in the onkey event code.If the task is somewhat time consuming ( like a guery ) the overhead time for the buttonpush won't be a factor.

[tlyon]

RE: Modifying Form Events on the fly

I understand what you are suggesting. However, I guess I should explain why I want to modify event code on the fly. I am looking to code a development tool. I want to be able to modify the code in a source form and copy it to the actual forms that will be using it on the fly, of which there are 7. I have tried my darndest to reduce the size of the code, but cannot get it to the 1000 character limit. I'm trying to push A5 a little harder than it was designed for and it is winning the battle.

I will learn to get more proficient with cut and paste :)

Tom Lyon