how to call PBWin.CHM with a topic

[Chris Holbrook]

As in calling it from an external editor. I've looked around abit and tried a few things but all I get is the start screen (Keyword quick finder).

[Steve Rossell]

To call via an index keyword:

' Build the HtmlHelp's Keyword look up UDT
kw.cbStruct = SizeOf(kw)
kw.fReserved = 0
kw.pszKeywords = StrPtr(skey)
kw.pszUrl = 0
kw.pszMsgText = 0
kw.pszMsgTitle = 0
kw.pszWindow = 0
kw.fIndexOnFail = 1

' Show the HtmlHelp's index tab and the keyword to lookup (topic)
HtmlHelp hWnd, ByCopy sHelpFile, %HH_DISPLAY_INDEX, StrPtr(sKey)
HtmlHelp hWnd, ByCopy sHelpFile, %HH_KEYWORD_LOOKUP, VarPtr(kw)

To display via a map number:

HtmlHelp hWnd, ByCopy sHelpFile, %HH_HELP_CONTEXT, MapNumber

To display via a topic filename:

HtmlHelp hWnd, ByCopy sHelpFile, 0, STRPTR(Topicfilename)

[Chris Holbrook]

Thanks Steve.

[Dave Biggs]

>> calling it from an external editor...

If the external editor was EditPlus: go to Tools/Preferences/Tools/User tools, Add Tool>> of type "HTML Help File (*.chm)".

The word at the cursor position is searched for in the help file when the tool is selected (button-click / hot key).

See comments in source code organisation thread for linking to help topics in SDK documentation using H2Viewer.exe from within the editor.

[Chris Holbrook]

Thanks Dave.

[Michael Mattias]

>calling it from an external editor

Is this a pemitted use under your license?

The help file is, after all, part of the licensed software product.

I'll guess it is a permitted use, since you can always view a "CHM" file from Windows, but it's just the kind of thing one SHOULD think about before using a licensed product as a component of one's own products.

MCM

[Barry Marks]

Offhand my guess would be that it's an encouraged use. Third party products are part of the strength of a compiler like PowerBasic.

Barry

[Chris Holbrook]

Is this a pemitted use under your license?

no idea, but what I do with the product in the privacy of my own office is between me and it!

[Michael Mattias]

no idea, but what I do with the product in the privacy of my own office is between me and it

That MAY be true of your PowerBASIC Inc. license (the license in the help file is not terribly complete in that it says nothing about allowed use), but that would NOT be true of the license granted by all publishers for all products!

I guess I owe you an example:

The use of components of the software supplied in Microsoft Portable Executable Format (that is, as "EXE" or "DLL" files), including separately licensed map files, in any manner other than as a component of the PPPS in normal operating mode is strictly prohibited; except the main executable program ("ppps.exe") may without registration or royalty be used as the object of any Licensee -owned or -licensed "menu" or "task management" software .

This prohibition may be extended by Licensor at Licensor's sole discretion to include additional system components; however, Licensor guarantees in perpetuity the exception for the use of the main executable program as the object of menu or task management software.

[Chris Holbrook]

Microsoft...prohibited...

Microsoft are fixing breaches in the town walls while their enemies trade in the market square.

I don't think I would use any M$ product if I could use a different one. I'm using Windows out of necessity!

[Michael Mattias]

What I posted has nothing to do with Microsoft.

Those are MY rules for the use of The Provider Payment Partner(tm) System

My bigger point is, whenever you use a piece of licensed software for anything, you should always check your license to see if your proposed use is in fact a permitted use.

[Chris Holbrook]

What I posted has nothing to do with Microsoft.

Those are MY rules for the use of

In which case I don't suppose I will be buying one of those, either.

[Hubert Brandel]

What I posted has nothing to do with Microsoft.

Those are MY rules for the use of The Provider Payment Partner(tm) System

My bigger point is, whenever you use a piece of licensed software for anything, you should always check your license to see if your proposed use is in fact a permitted use.

The question of this thread was, how to use the PowerBasic Online Help File from a 3rd Party Editor ... The purpose of the PowerBasic Online Help File is to help the PowerBasic Programmer to use PowerBasic. It is not forbidden to start a help file from outside the PowerBasic IDE, so it is allowed to start it from any other editor if the user self has bought powerbasic.

There is even a online HTML Helpfile on the homepage isn't it ?

[Michael Mattias]

Well, I was not really expecting you to buy a PPPS license.

The PPPS is of absolutely zero use unless you have to deal with the HIPAA EDI transaction sets, which are not used in the UK.

You think those terms are "restrictive" you haven't seen the rest.

The PPPS parses the ANSI X12N X091A1 remittance into a relational database; from that DB it performs inquiries and creates print reports. A PPPS user license does not permit you to use the database as a source for your own queries and reports except for your own use... that is, you can't use the PPPS to open a service bureau. There are about 400,000 healthcare providers in the USA, and many would prefer to have a service bureau handle the data and provide them with the print reports which have been in use here for about twenty-five years.

However, I DO offer a Service Bureau License (in HIPAA terms such a service bureau is called a "Health Care Clearinghouse"). That one includes something I KNOW is "really popular" (NOT!) around here.... royalty reporting and payment.



MCM

[Dave Biggs]

Back On Topic ..

If your editor has provision for user tools (but not automatic help tools) you could use something like this (based on Steve's post):

#COMPILE EXE "FindHelp.exe"
#Dim All 
#INCLUDE "WIN32API.INC"
#INCLUDE "HTMLHelp.inc"
 
Function PbMain()
 Local Res  As Long
 Local kw   As HH_AKLINK
 Local sHelpFile, sKey As String 
 
 sHelpFile  = command$(1)
 sKey       = command$(2)
 
  ' To call via an index keyword:
  ' Build the HtmlHelp's Keyword look up UDT (HH_AKLINK)
  kw.cbStruct = SizeOf(kw)
  kw.fReserved = 0
  kw.pszKeywords = StrPtr(skey)
  kw.pszUrl = 0
  kw.pszMsgText = 0
  kw.pszMsgTitle = 0
  kw.pszWindow = 0
  kw.fIndexOnFail = 1
 
  ' Show the HtmlHelp's index tab and the keyword to lookup (topic)
  If HtmlHelp (0, ByCopy sHelpFile, %HH_DISPLAY_INDEX, StrPtr(sKey)) Then
    Res = HtmlHelp (0, ByCopy sHelpFile, %HH_KEYWORD_LOOKUP, VarPtr(kw))
  Else 
    MsgBox "e.g. call with Path$\FindHelp.exe C:\PbWin90\Bin\PBWin.chm CBCTL)", ,"Missing command line Params?"
  End If
 
  While IsWindow(Res) 
   Sleep 100
  Wend
 
End Function
'------------------/PBMain
'Demo Program to call FindHelp.exe 'tool' - adjust paths to suit etc
#IF 0
Function PbMain()
 
  ProcID??? = Shell ("C:\PBWin90\FindHelp\FindHelp.exe C:\PbWin90\Bin\PBWin.chm CB.CTL")
 
End Function
'------------------/PBMain
#ENDIF

(But feel free to check with a lawyer first )

[Michael Mattias]

  =====  USER OPTIONS =====

  OPEN on F1   [c:\pbwin90\bin\pb.chm]   [X] Pass word at cursor as help topic

' =======================

Totally divorced from proprietary software. That is, YOUR design is not using any licensed products!


MCM

[Roger Garstang]

Steve's post in reply didn't use any licensed products either...like was already said, I believe the help files are free to download, other 3rd Party apps already do it, and anyone can just double click the file to open it themself, so why can't an application? It is not like he was saying "How can I add the PB Help file to my app". If he is developing a 3rd party editor for PB, then his audience will have PB and a license to use it. If they don't have it then his product won't do them much good.

Shoot, maybe in the process he can figure out why sometimes the Help Windows do odd things like reusing the wrong window or frame.