Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

@ Paul
I got excited when I saw the video on Dock Panels using a MDI window and thought it would be great for displaying a Home form with a menu panel. But I never got very far on how to actually build one. So I am using a docked modeless dialog on a regular form that stays open as 'wallpaper', and can hide the toolbar menu whenever more space is needed. If a form is a MDI window, then you ought to be able to attach a dock panel to a form...?

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Latest version:

cP_Info_20170926.txt

Anybody know how to delete old attachments?

[pboomwork]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Your standard Alpha5 form or browse is a MDI window. Dialogs converted to MDI windows appear in all the A5 window list so they are not completely hidden. But they don't consume desktop space like a rolled up window. It's a personal preference thing 6 of one half dozen of the other. And sorry I missed/overlooked others instructions on adding this as a add in.

[Ray in Capetown]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Hi Paul,
Can you explain the advantage of a MDI window to me vs a modeless Xdialog that stays open & can roll up so that it remains available AND visible? As I understand it, a MDI window becomes hidden when it is deactivated. But of course I may be wrong. BTW, I also included instructions on how to make this function appear in the right click menu on the Control Panel as an Addin.

Where did you share the latest version

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

added an option to the subfunction to add restrictions when opening the default browse for a table

FUNCTION vw_defbrws as C (tname as C,vars as P)
'DESCRIPTION: use to call a default browse with a set size and placement on 1st record    
    DIM brws as P
    WITH vars
        IF .not. is_object(brwsname) THEN
            brws = a5_open_default_Browse(tname)    
            'added a default restriction
            brws.restrict_enter = .t.
            brws.width = 800
            brws.height = 500        
            brws.window_position("left","top")
            'needed to clear the new record line 'ghost'
            brws.refresh_layout()
        ELSE
            brws = obj(brwsname)    
            brws.activate()        
        END IF        
                    
        brws.fetch_first()

        vw_defbrws = tname

    END WITH

Thanks to Stan!

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Hi Paul,
Can you explain the advantage of a MDI window to me vs a modeless Xdialog that stays open & can roll up so that it remains available AND visible? As I understand it, a MDI window becomes hidden when it is deactivated. But of course I may be wrong. BTW, I also included instructions on how to make this function appear in the right click menu on the Control Panel as an Addin.

[pboomwork]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

I've used a rather old version of this function for years. it was one that someone, I don't know who at this point, turned into a Library and provided instructions on how to use as a addin.

This newer version looked quite nice I don't know how many times I double clicked on a field of table name expecting it to appear in the code editor. The version I was using didn't do that, this one does.

I've done some (actually a lot of work) on making Modeless Dialog boxes into MDI windows. MDI windows are what the standard form or browse use, they can be minimized and float behind other windows. I figured this function would be more usable as a MDI window, so I converted it to one.

I've changed the name to CP_info2() to reflect the significant change in the way it works. At the first of the function are comments that explain how to make this Function into AEX library and use it as a AddIn accessed from the MenuBar in the Code editor just like the version I was previously using.

The attachment also containts a Script DOC_Dialog_to_MDI this is the documentation I prepared some time ago on how to convert a existing Modeless Dialog into a MDI window, in case anyone is interested.

cp_info2.txt

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

I always thought that was just something arbitrary some people did in their scripts - hah! what do I know? not as much as I think...

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Robin,

'sets the default vertical spacing between controls.
{ysize=.3}

One ; is 1/3 a row spacing, two ;; is 2/3 a row spacing and three ;;; would be the same as {lf};

Gives one a little more control on how the xDialog looks.

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Now we can add you to the credits! I don't see what the difference is in the section for Line 129 - is it the additional ' ; ' - what does that do?
I do see that you made vField a multi select text box on line 159, I am curious to see how it works!

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Hi Robin,

I made some minor changes and tried to document what I did.
The line numbers may be off slightly.
While making my changes I did notice other credits:

'Borrowed from ChrisHawkes & Peter.Greulich

Chris and Peter, thank you!

line 64		
'//Dlg Body Expanded
dlg_body = <<%dlg%
{removecomments}
'use current font for line and character spacing
{units=F}
'sets the default vertical spacing between controls.
{ysize=.3}

changed [.25 to [.35 for longer file names
Line 109	{font=Arial,10,n}{stretch=height}[.35,30vTable^#vTM!tc_*];

changed line 129 from
[.50,5idxdef^#idxdef];
to [.50,5idxdef^#idxdef];;

changed text=50
Line 133  {text=42,3vTinfo1};

changed line 159 from
[.50,30vField^#vFM!fc_*];
to [%M%.45,30vField^#vFM!fc_*];

inserted after 156 
<%T=Copy FIELD DEFINITIONS to lipboard;B=T;I=$$edit.clipboard.edit%!c_Fcopy>;


added C_Fcopy after B_Fcopy

ELSE IF a_dlg_button = "B_Fcopy" THEN
	IF .not. fldflag THEN
		END'
	END IF
	vField = format_data(vField,"C")
	clipboard.Set_Data(EXTRACT_STRING(vField,"",","))
ELSE IF a_dlg_button = "C_Fcopy" THEN
	IF .not. fldflag THEN
		END'
	END IF
	clipboard.Set_Data(vField)
END IF

%code%

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Hi Ron,
If you already know how to select multiple records in a list and copy to the clipboard - please share! And I will be happy to update the function. I guess that is why this was an ongoing project initially as others kept coming up with other things they wished the control panel did but doesn't. At least that is what got me thinking about it.

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Robin, again I'd like to thank you for sharing this tool. I use it every day.

I do have a request. While I could make the change in my copy, I note that you are continuing development on your side.

For me, it would be nice if the third column that contains the fields definitions where a multi select list and I could copy selected field definitions as a group to the clipboard. I do a lot of table manipulation using xbasic and I would find the ability to copy and paste a selected group of field definitions very handy.


Thanks

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

Added a line to the Table Info section to show when the selected file was last updated (had to fix an error if a set was clicked on)

cP_Info_01-08-2017.txt

Happy New Year

[MoGrace]

Re: Control Panel & Code Editor Helper: CP_Info()

cP_Info-12-27-2016.txt

Fixed a typo in the button event that opens/activates the code editor