Making the jump to Windows...finally

[Joe Byrne]

Wow...this is like coming back home Some of you real old timers might remember me, but its been at least 8 years since I last darkened the PB halls. Anyway, new ventures have me re-thinking my old programming days. I jump ship from coding to networks long before Windows was even an option. Now of course, its mainstream. I am in the process of redefining our company which of course will be Internet related. There are lots of "canned" software I can use, but since my budget exceeds 2mil, I thought I might take this opportunity to polish my coding skills so I can offer "some" customization for our larger accounts. These will most likely be CGI type things to integrate web info into the backoffice accounting systems. However, I also see a need to do some true Win32 client applications. So..... my main question is this. PB/CC is a no brainer for the CGI stuff (right?) but how difficult will it be to break the DOS program (top/bottom) paradigm I've always used? I know nothing about Win32 programming, and I won't be doing this for a living, so is it even worth the time and effort? I'm sure everyone has horror stories, but I would be very appreciative for any and all personal opinions.

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Looking for I.T. Certification? Get my latest study system Books:
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[Todd Wasson]

Welcome back. I'm a rookie at Windows programming myself, having just purchased PBDLL a few months ago. As a newbie, my opinion should probably be placed at the bottom of this list, as I know very little about API programming. I primarily use the DDT feature, with an occasional API call if I know how to use it!
My input here will hopefully NOT insult your intelligence, as I know you are a senior analyst and obviously a whiz compared to me in Dos programming! So here goes my understanding:
Windows programming differs a bit from Dos as you know already. Basically, you create windows/dialogs, add controls like listboxes and buttons to those windows/dialogs, each with it's own handle or ID. A button in a window or even the window itself could have a callback function, sort of like gosub:return, that you create. However, it's different from Dos in that when something happens to the control or window (you click on it, or move your mouse across it, or in the case of a textbox, type something into it, or a zillion other things), windows sends a message to the callback function. It automatically gosubs to your callback function, basically. In the callback function, you can use "If"s or a Select Case block to do different things for different messages.
Anyway, that's just my basic view of the main difference. Windows sends messages to your functions, which you intercept and process. Dos is kind of the otherway around. I'll leave room for the pros to come give you some real input now. Welcome home!

~~Todd


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[This message has been edited by Todd Wasson (edited February 06, 2000).]

[Chris Boss]

Joe;

I assume you already have purchased one of the PB compilers (PB DLL or PB CC) , but if you haven't buy NOW ! It is definitely worth it !

If you would like to be creating real Windows apps within a day or so, then check out EZGUI in the "Third Party" forum. NO API knowledge necessary.

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[Lance Edmonds]

Windows GUI programming certainly operates quite differently to DOS apps. I personally recommend a good book to teach the basic (no pun intended) concepts of Windows programming. Understanding the concepts of window creation, messaging, callback, GDI (fonts, pens, etc), will reduce the learning curve angle significantly.

I recommend Charles Petzold's "Programming Windows" (Edition 5 is current, often Edition 4 can be found much cheaper).
My second favorite is Rector & Newcomer's "Win32 Programming".




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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[Chris Boss]

Joe;

Another good book is :

"Windows 98 Programming from the Ground Up" by Hebert Schildt.

It is very good and easy to understand.



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[Joe Byrne]

Todd, Lance, and Chris. Thank you for your input. Its great to see that Bob still has a loyal and devoted following! I will grab the books mentioned and see if I can get my mind around this "new" way of program logic

Chris, its probably just me, but I can't seem to locate the EZGUI program you refered to. Can you help me out a little here? Is it on the FTP server or do I need to look on another site?

Thanks again!
--Joe

Originally posted by Chris Boss:
Joe;

I assume you already have purchased one of the PB compilers (PB DLL or PB CC) , but if you haven't buy NOW ! It is definitely worth it !

If you would like to be creating real Windows apps within a day or so, then check out EZGUI in the "Third Party" forum. NO API knowledge necessary.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for I.T. Certification? Get my latest study system Books:
o The Network+ Certification Study System ISBN: 0-7645-3344-4
o The iNet+ Certification Study System ISBN: 0-7645-4655-4
Available at bookstores and Amazon.com
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[Chris Boss]

Joe;

EZGUI is a commercial addon for the Pb compiler.

There are some "threads" posted in the "Third Party Forum" of this forum which discuss it.

I didn't want to discuss it too much outside of the "Third Party Forum" since that is where PB wants us to discuss such subjects.

For more info see our web site at:

http://ezgui.com



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[Chris Boss]

Joe;

Just one more note about EZGUI.

Using EZGUI real GUI Windows apps can be created with the PB compilers and absolutely NO Knowledge of the API is needed.

If you can program in DOS Basic, you can create GUI apps with EZGUI (and PowerBasic).

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[Chris Boss]

joe;

here is a link to the discussion of ezgui in the third party forum.

http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pb...ad.php?t=28015


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