An Introduction to ControlsAn Introduction to Controls

Rainer BeckerRainer Becker

dFPUG / ISYS GmbHdFPUG / ISYS GmbH

GermanyGermany

About the SpeakerAbout the Speaker

German FoxPro User GroupGerman FoxPro User Group ISYS GmbHISYS GmbH MS Solution ProviderMS Solution Provider MS Consulting ServicesMS Consulting Services Adress: Adress: Rainer Becker, Messerschmittstr. 2a, Rainer Becker, Messerschmittstr. 2a,

65760 Eschborn, Germany65760 Eschborn, Germany

Phone: 01149-6173-68182, Fax: -65997Phone: 01149-6173-68182, Fax: -65997

CompuServe: 100024,1364 / CompuServe: 100024,1364 / GO MSCESYSGO MSCESYS

Whats includedWhats included

Short Introduction to principles ofShort Introduction to principles of

Properties/Events/MethodsProperties/Events/Methods Guided Tour through all ControlsGuided Tour through all Controls

- walking all properties upstairs- walking all properties upstairs Some words aboutSome words about

Containers, Naming, BuildersContainers, Naming, Builders

Whats excludedWhats excluded

Form DesignerForm Designer Class DesignerClass Designer Grid-ControlGrid-Control OLE-ControlsOLE-Controls

(but you might get a good base for all of that)(but you might get a good base for all of that)

ClassesClasses InheritanceInheritance Non-Visual ObjectsNon-Visual Objects Event-ModelEvent-Model

Form DesignerForm Designer

ControlsControls– LibsLibs– LocksLocks

PropertiesProperties– DataData– MethodMethod– LayoutLayout– OtherOther

LayoutLayout PalettePalette

DesignDesign

ToolbarsToolbars

VocabularyVocabulary

What are What are PropertiesProperties ? ? What are What are MethodsMethods ? ? What are What are EventsEvents ? ? How to avoid confusion?How to avoid confusion? How to reference objects ?How to reference objects ?

What are PROPERTIES?What are PROPERTIES?

Think of them as bound variablesThink of them as bound variables Public vars with a private pathPublic vars with a private path Example: COMMENT, HEIGHTExample: COMMENT, HEIGHT Add your own!Add your own!

Later on you will need them - especiallyLater on you will need them - especially

for non-visual objects or even applicationsfor non-visual objects or even applications

What are METHODS?What are METHODS?

Think of them as old-style snippetsThink of them as old-style snippets Procedures bound to Controls/FormsProcedures bound to Controls/Forms Example: Refresh, SetFocusExample: Refresh, SetFocus Add your own!Add your own!

You will sometimes need themYou will sometimes need them

- but building your own is real fun!- but building your own is real fun!

What are EVENTS?What are EVENTS?

Think of them as old-style snippetsThink of them as old-style snippets Procedures bound to Windows-EventsProcedures bound to Windows-Events Example: old-fashioned VALID, CLICKExample: old-fashioned VALID, CLICK You can not extend! You can not extend!

– Events are methods bound to OS/VFP/USEREvents are methods bound to OS/VFP/USER

You normally need only some of themYou normally need only some of them

- but it is great that there are so many!- but it is great that there are so many!

Avoid ConfusionAvoid Confusion

Events and Methods have a ProcedureEvents and Methods have a Procedure Events could be seen as an Event + MethodEvents could be seen as an Event + Method Some Properties are followed by actionsSome Properties are followed by actions These Categories are not closed boxesThese Categories are not closed boxes There are many - but most are easy to use!There are many - but most are easy to use! Obey Graphical hints:Obey Graphical hints:

BoldBold = changed, = changed, Italic Italic = read-only= read-only Use RESET TO DEFAULT Use RESET TO DEFAULT (right mouse button)(right mouse button)

SyntaxSyntax

objectvariable.[form.]control.property = Settingobjectvariable.[form.]control.property = Setting

THIS.THIS. THISFORM.THISFORM. THISFORMSET.THISFORMSET. _SCREEN._SCREEN.

WITH.. ..ENDWITH, COUNT / PAGESWITH.. ..ENDWITH, COUNT / PAGES

ACTIVEFORM.ACTIVEFORM. ACTIVEPAGE.ACTIVEPAGE. ACTIVECONTROL.ACTIVECONTROL. PARENT.PARENT.

Controls - A Guided TourControls - A Guided Tour

Timers Timers LinesLines ShapesShapes ImagesImages LabelsLabels Command ButtonsCommand Buttons Option ButtonsOption Buttons Check BoxesCheck Boxes Text BoxesText Boxes

Edit BoxesEdit Boxes SpinnersSpinners Combo BoxesCombo Boxes List BoxesList Boxes Option GroupsOption Groups Command GroupsCommand Groups Page Frames Page Frames GridsGrids OLE-ControlsOLE-Controls

Not all of them are new! Not all of them are new! Renamed ControlsRenamed Controls

Text => Label controlText => Label control GET-Field => Text boxGET-Field => Text box Edit Region => Edit boxEdit Region => Edit box Popup => Combo boxPopup => Combo box Radio button => Optionb.Radio button => Optionb. Push button => CommandPush button => Command Screen(Set) => Form (Set)Screen(Set) => Form (Set) Picture => ImagePicture => Image

Really new are:Really new are: TimersTimers PagePage GridGrid OCXOCX

Nearly all are enhanced!Nearly all are enhanced!

Lets start with a new but small one Lets start with a new but small one TimersTimers

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

Comment, TagComment, Tag

BASICBASIC,, TimerEvent, Reset TimerEvent, Reset

COORDINATESCOORDINATES

CLASSCLASS, , IntervalInterval

- Not executed while Menu open- Not executed while Menu open

- Not exact enough for RealTime- Not exact enough for RealTime

Timer & Basic Data/LayoutTimer & Basic Data/Layout

TimerTimer (one of each)(one of each)– TimerEventTimerEvent Procedure called at EventProcedure called at Event– ResetMethodResetMethod Restart timerRestart timer– IntervalProp.IntervalProp. Timer in millisecondsTimer in milliseconds

DataData– CommentComment You should use it!You should use it!– TagTag Free propertyFree property

LayoutLayout– Top, Left, Heigth, WidthTop, Left, Heigth, Width

Basic OtherBasic Other

OtherOther– NameName Naming conventionsNaming conventions– EnabledEnabled logical Flaglogical Flag– ClassClass Objects belong to classesObjects belong to classes– ClassLibraryClassLibrary optional: VCX of the classoptional: VCX of the class– BaseclassBaseclass Base class derived fromBase class derived from– ParentclassParentclass optional: derived fromoptional: derived from– ParentParent runtime: container objectruntime: container object

Basic Events/MethodsBasic Events/Methods

EventsEvents– InitInit Object initialisedObject initialised– DestroyDestroy Object removedObject removed– ErrorError local error-handlerlocal error-handler

MethodsMethods– CloneObjectCloneObject runtime duplicationruntime duplication– SaveAsClassSaveAsClass objects from VCX to VCXobjects from VCX to VCX– Read/WriteExpression/Method at design timeRead/WriteExpression/Method at design time

LinesLines

DataData EventsEvents MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther TipsTips

------

CLICK, MOUSE, DRAGCLICK, MOUSE, DRAG

Drag, Move, UIEnable, ZOrderDrag, Move, UIEnable, ZOrder

DragIcon/Mode, BORDER,Draw-DragIcon/Mode, BORDER,Draw-

Mode, MousePointer, Mode, MousePointer, LineSlantLineSlant

HelpContextIDHelpContextID

- No 3D-line-effects- No 3D-line-effects

Click & Mouse EventsClick & Mouse EventsVisible ObjectsVisible Objects

ClickClick– ClickClick Mouse left clickMouse left click– DblClickDblClick Mouse double clickMouse double click– RightClickRightClick Mouse right clickMouse right click

MouseMouse– MouseMoveMouseMove Mouse over objectMouse over object– MouseDownMouseDown Mouse pressed for clickMouse pressed for click– MouseUpMouseUp Mouse releasedMouse released– MousePointerMousePointer 12 pointer versions12 pointer versions

Drag & Drop Drag & Drop Visible ObjectsVisible Objects

DragDrag– DragDropDragDrop End of drag, target eventEnd of drag, target event– DragOver DragOver object over target, target eventobject over target, target event

MethodsMethods– DragDrag Method for manual draggingMethod for manual dragging– MoveMove Method for manual movingMethod for manual moving

PropertiesProperties– DragIconDragIcon Cursor Icon for dragCursor Icon for drag– DragModeDragMode automatic / manualautomatic / manual

PropertiesProperties Visible ObjectsVisible Objects

Bordercolor, -style, -width for borderBordercolor, -style, -width for border VisibleVisible Temporary hide objectTemporary hide object HelpContextIDHelpContextID for HelpCompilerfor HelpCompiler ZOrder Meth.ZOrder Meth. active Page, tlb orderactive Page, tlb order UIEnable Evt.UIEnable Evt. Page activate eventPage activate event DrawmodeDrawmode 16 different modes 16 different modes

(Line/Shape/Form)(Line/Shape/Form)

LineSlantLineSlant special line propertyspecial line property

ShapesShapes

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

------

------

BackColor/Style, FillColor/Style,BackColor/Style, FillColor/Style,

ColorScheme/Source, ToolTipColorScheme/Source, ToolTip

SpecialEffect, SpecialEffect, CurvatureCurvature

------

- Shapes in front block the click event- Shapes in front block the click event

PropertiesProperties Plain ObjectsPlain Objects

Colors Colors – BackStyleBackStyle Transparent / Opaque (Default)Transparent / Opaque (Default)

– BackColorBackColor RGB-Color for Qpaque objectsRGB-Color for Qpaque objects

– FillColorStyleFillColorStyle Transparent, Solid, LinesTransparent, Solid, Lines

– FillColorFillColor RGB-Color if not transparentRGB-Color if not transparent

– ColorSchemeColorScheme Object/Form/Source/DefaultObject/Form/Source/Default

– ColorSourceColorSource Scheme for Above=SourceScheme for Above=Source

ToolTipTextToolTipTextToolTip if Form.ShowTips=.T.ToolTip if Form.ShowTips=.T. SpecialEffectSpecialEffect Plain or 3DPlain or 3D CurvatureCurvature 0=rectangle - 99=circle0=rectangle - 99=circle

ImagesImages

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

------

------

PicturePicture (Bitmap, Icon)(Bitmap, Icon)

StretchStretch (Clip/Isometric/Stretch) (Clip/Isometric/Stretch)

------

- Stretch also used for OLE- Stretch also used for OLE

LabelsLabels

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

------

------

Caption, FONT, COLORCaption, FONT, COLOR

AutoSize, WordWrap, AlignmentAutoSize, WordWrap, Alignment

------

- The Caption can be a function- The Caption can be a function

Layout PropertiesLayout PropertiesObjects with CaptionObjects with Caption

FontName & FontSizeFontName & FontSize FontFlagsFontFlags FontBold, FontItalic, FontStrikeThru, FontBold, FontItalic, FontStrikeThru,

FontOutline, FontUnderline, FontShadowFontOutline, FontUnderline, FontShadow

Color Color DisabledBackColor, (Disabled)ForeColorDisabledBackColor, (Disabled)ForeColor

CaptionCaption Text to be shown (function)Text to be shown (function) AlignmentAlignment Left/Right/CenteredLeft/Right/Centered AutoSizeAutoSize Resize horiz. for textResize horiz. for text WordWrapWordWrap Wrap words/resize verticalWrap words/resize vertical

Command ButtonsCommand Buttons

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

TerminateReadTerminateRead

ErrorMessage, see EVENTSErrorMessage, see EVENTS

DownPicture, DisabledPictureDownPicture, DisabledPicture

StatusBarText, (Style=Inv.)StatusBarText, (Style=Inv.)

TabIndex, TabStop (Forms!) TabIndex, TabStop (Forms!)

Default, Cancel Default, Cancel (not \! or \? )(not \! or \? )

- Use small fonts with pictures- Use small fonts with pictures

- Use StatusBarText instead- Use StatusBarText instead

EventsEventsfor accessible objectsfor accessible objects

WhenWhen old-fashioned WHENold-fashioned WHEN ValidValid old-fashioned VALIDold-fashioned VALID GotFocusGotFocus Tabbed to itTabbed to it LostFocusLostFocus Tabbed somewhere else...Tabbed somewhere else... SetFocusSetFocus Method (enabled & visible)Method (enabled & visible) KeyPressKeyPress Key Preview Event !Key Preview Event ! RefreshRefresh SHOW GET (Requery,Page)SHOW GET (Requery,Page) MessageMessage Return Message text (Old!)Return Message text (Old!)

Option ButtonsOption Buttons

DataData

MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

ControlSourceControlSource Field or Field or memvarmemvar

ValueValue same type as the same type as the

------ ControlSourceControlSourceAlignment (Left/Right) for buttonAlignment (Left/Right) for button

SpecialEffect not for command buttonSpecialEffect not for command button

------

- Only in Option Button Groups!- Only in Option Button Groups!

Avoid ConfusionAvoid Confusion

NameName object nameobject name CaptionCaption titletitle ControlSource ControlSource differsdiffers

» memvarmemvar

» fieldfield

» functionfunction

ValueValue object valueobject value

Check BoxesCheck Boxes

DataData MethodsMethods

LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

------

InteractiveChangeEventInteractiveChangeEvent

ProgrammaticChangeEventProgrammaticChangeEvent

------

------

- ProgrammaticChange important!- ProgrammaticChange important!

Text BoxesText Boxes

DataData

MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

Format, InputMask, Margin, Read-Format, InputMask, Margin, Read-

Only, Open/MemoWindowOnly, Open/MemoWindow

RangeHigh, RangeLowRangeHigh, RangeLow

SELECT, Style (SAY-compatible),SELECT, Style (SAY-compatible),

PasswordCharPasswordChar

HideSelectionHideSelection

- Play with selected areas!- Play with selected areas!

Selected TextSelected Text

SelStartSelStart Begin of selectionBegin of selection SelLengthSelLength Number of charsNumber of chars SelTextSelText Complete Selected Complete Selected

texttext HideSelectionHideSelection Show after LostFocusShow after LostFocus SelectedForeColorSelectedForeColor Text colorText color SelectedBackColorSelectedBackColor Background colorBackground color

Edit BoxesEdit Boxes

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

MaxLengthMaxLength

------

ScrollBars (vert. & horiz.)ScrollBars (vert. & horiz.)

AllowTabsAllowTabs

- “Selected text” applies here- “Selected text” applies here

SpinnersSpinners

DataData

MethodsMethods LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

KeyboardHigh/LowValue, Spin-KeyboardHigh/LowValue, Spin-

nerHigh/LowValue, nerHigh/LowValue, IncrementIncrement

UpEvent, DownEventUpEvent, DownEvent

------

------

- Use High/LowValues instead of - Use High/LowValues instead of RangeEventsRangeEvents

Combo BoxesCombo Boxes

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

BoundColumn, DisplayValueBoundColumn, DisplayValue

AddItem, AddListItem,AddItem, AddListItem,

ColumnCount, -Lines, -WidthColumnCount, -Lines, -Width

Disabled/Select/Item/Back/ForeCDisabled/Select/Item/Back/ForeC

TopIndex, TopItemID, +NEWTopIndex, TopItemID, +NEW

IncrementalSearch, Listcount,IncrementalSearch, Listcount,

ListIndex, ListIdemIDListIndex, ListIdemID

LayoutLayoutCombo boxCombo box

ColumnCount ColumnCount Number of ColumnsNumber of Columns ColumnLinesColumnLines Show column linesShow column lines ColumnWidth ColumnWidth Width of columns Width of columns

(colon-delimited)(colon-delimited) ItemBack/ForeColorItemBack/ForeColor SelectedItemBack/ForeColorSelectedItemBack/ForeColor DisabledItemBack/ForeColorDisabledItemBack/ForeColor

DataDataCombo boxCombo box

RowSourceTypeRowSourceType9 options9 options RowSourceRowSource name typename type BoundColumnBoundColumn Column bound to ValueColumn bound to Value DisplayValueDisplayValue Text or pos. for displayText or pos. for display ItemDataItemData Additional valueAdditional value ListList Array of textArray of text SortedSorted Alphabetically sortedAlphabetically sorted FirstElement, NumberOfElements for ArraysFirstElement, NumberOfElements for Arrays

Methods & OtherMethods & OtherCombo boxCombo box

MethodsMethods– RequeryRequery Requery SQL/QPR-SourceRequery SQL/QPR-Source

OtherOther– IncrementalSearchIncrementalSearch self-explanatoryself-explanatory– TopIndexTopIndex first visible itemfirst visible item– NewIndexNewIndex last AddItem-positionlast AddItem-position– ListcountListcount Number of itemsNumber of items– ListIndexListIndex (Last) selected item(Last) selected item

What are IDs?What are IDs?Combo boxCombo box

ItemIDDataItemIDData Additional value by IDAdditional value by ID ListItemListItem Array of text by IDArray of text by ID OtherOther

– TopItemIDTopItemID ID of topmost vis. list-itemID of topmost vis. list-item

– NewItemIDNewItemID last AddItem-IDlast AddItem-ID

– ListItemIDListItemID (Last) selected item ID(Last) selected item ID

( List + ListItem / ListIndex + ListItemID)( List + ListItem / ListIndex + ListItemID)

( RowSourceType (0=None), (1=Value) )( RowSourceType (0=None), (1=Value) )

ID-MethodsID-MethodsCombo boxCombo box

AddItemAddItem Add at positionAdd at position AddListItemAddListItem Add with IDAdd with ID RemoveItemRemoveItem Remove from positionRemove from position RemoveListItemRemoveListItemRemove with IDRemove with ID ClearClear Delete all itemsDelete all items IndexToItemIDIndexToItemID Position -> IDPosition -> ID ItemIDToIndexItemIDToIndex ID -> PositionID -> Position

List BoxesList Boxes

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

------

------

------

MultiSelectMultiSelect

- Use DisplayValue and Value- Use DisplayValue and Value

together for text and offsettogether for text and offset

Container Container

FrameSetFrameSet FrameFrame PageFramePageFrame PagePage GridGrid ColumnColumn Option GroupOption Group Command GroupCommand Group

FrameFrame PageF,Grid,ControlsPageF,Grid,Controls PagePage Grid, ControlsGrid, Controls ColumnColumn Header, ControlsHeader, Controls Option ButtonsOption Buttons Command ButtonsCommand Buttons

Hierarchy

Option/Command Button GroupsOption/Command Button Groups

------

AddObject, RemoveObjectAddObject, RemoveObject

ButtonCountButtonCount

ButtonsButtons

- ChangeEvents only in Groups- ChangeEvents only in Groups

- No Inheritance for new buttons- No Inheritance for new buttons

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout

OtherOther

TipsTips

ActivePageActivePage

------

PageCount, PageHeight/Width,PageCount, PageHeight/Width,

Tabs, TabStretchTabs, TabStretch

Pages (Array)Pages (Array)

-Drop objects on top for all pages-Drop objects on top for all pages

Page FramesPage Frames

PagesPages

DataData MethodsMethods LayoutLayout OtherOther

TipsTips

Controls (Array)Controls (Array)

------

ControlCountControlCount

PageOrder, KeyPreviewPageOrder, KeyPreview

- Reference all with PAGES.- Reference all with PAGES.

GridsGrids

See: Using the Grid Control - Whil HentzenSee: Using the Grid Control - Whil Hentzen

OLE-ControlsOLE-Controls

OLE Bound ControlsOLE Bound Controls– "bound" to Genearl-fields"bound" to Genearl-fields– no own Eventsno own Events

OLE Container ControlsOLE Container Controls– OCX with own EventsOCX with own Events– OLE unbound to fieldsOLE unbound to fields

See: OLE Custom Controls - Steven BlackSee: OLE Custom Controls - Steven Black

PicClip, Outline,PicClip, Outline,

Word 6.0, O-Gramm,Word 6.0, O-Gramm,

Graph, Excel, Comm,Graph, Excel, Comm,

ClipArt, PowerPoint,ClipArt, PowerPoint,

Formula EditorFormula Editor

Container-ConfusionContainer-Confusion

Container ObjectsContainer Objects– FrameSet, Frame, PageFrame, Page, Grid,FrameSet, Frame, PageFrame, Page, Grid,

Column, Option Group, Command GroupColumn, Option Group, Command Group Control Objects Control Objects

– protectedprotected Custom Objects Custom Objects

– non-visualnon-visual

Naming ConventionsNaming Conventions

chk Check boxchk Check box cbo Combo boxcbo Combo box cmd Command cmd Command cmg Com. groupcmg Com. group cnt Containercnt Container ctl Controlctl Control (cus Custom)(cus Custom) edt Edit boxedt Edit box frm Formfrm Form frs Form setfrs Form set

grd Gridgrd Grid grc Grid columngrc Grid column grh Grid headergrh Grid header img Imageimg Image lbl Labellbl Label lin Linelin Line lst List boxlst List box olb OLE-boundolb OLE-bound ole OLEole OLE opt Option opt Option

buttonbutton

opg Option groupopg Option group (otl Outline)(otl Outline) pag Pagepag Page pgf Page Framepgf Page Frame sep Separatorsep Separator shp Shapeshp Shape spn Spinnerspn Spinner txt Text boxtxt Text box tmr Timertmr Timer tbr Toolbartbr Toolbar

Ease your work! Ease your work! BuildersBuilders

TextboxTextbox EditboxEditbox ListboxListbox Combo-BoxCombo-Box Option GroupOption Group Command GroupCommand Group GridGrid

Design-Only Design-Only MethodsMethods - Read/Write-Method- Read/Write-Method

- Read/Write-Expression- Read/Write-Expression

ASelObj( )ASelObj( )

You will love them!You will love them!

Where to go from here? Where to go from here? Related SessionsRelated Sessions

The Form Designer - Alan SchwartzThe Form Designer - Alan Schwartz Advanced Visual FoxPro Controls - Ted RocheAdvanced Visual FoxPro Controls - Ted Roche Using the Grid Control in the Real World - Whil HentzenUsing the Grid Control in the Real World - Whil Hentzen OLE Custom Controls in Visual FoxPro - Steven BlackOLE Custom Controls in Visual FoxPro - Steven Black Builders in Visual FoxPro - Steven BlackBuilders in Visual FoxPro - Steven Black Using Visual FoxPro Classes - Ken LevyUsing Visual FoxPro Classes - Ken Levy ( The Class Browser - Ken Levy )( The Class Browser - Ken Levy ) ( Building applications using class libraries -T. M. T.-F. )( Building applications using class libraries -T. M. T.-F. )

Questions?Questions?

????????

Check the VFP-sample files!Check the VFP-sample files!

RichTextFormat-Manuals...RichTextFormat-Manuals...(or better: click through the really big help-file)(or better: click through the really big help-file)