Platinum Edition Using Visual Basic 5

Previous chapterNext chapterContents


- B -
What's on the CD

We have assembled the contents of the CD-ROM that accompanies this book to provide you with a useful resource that both supplements and extends the content of the book. On the CD you can find source code from the book that you can easily copy and paste into your own applications, and we've also included all of the applications created or used in the text. To give you more flexibility in using the content of the book, we've also supplied electronic versions of it so you can easily search for and bookmark key passages, procedures, and so forth.

Another exciting part of the CD is an ample supply of new, unique, and helpful software, shareware, and evaluation software we've included. You can use much of this software in creating your own ActiveX controls, and other software provides you with Internet, Web, and other capabilities.

This appendix outlines the basic content and structure of the CD, discusses using the CD contents, and describes the array of software included.

An Overview of the CD-ROM

As mentioned already, the CD provides a variety of useful contents. Here's an overview of what you can find:

The CD contains several subdirectories located off of the root directory. The directories on the CD are as follows (see Table B.1), with application, code, or chapter-specific subdirectories under each of these:

Table B.1 Directory Structure on the CD

Directory Contents
\HTMLVER HTML version of the online books included on the CD.
\CODE The source code from the book. Each chapter that contains sample files, source code, and so on will be contained in a subdirectory named for the chapter it references.
\SOFTWARE The software provided for your use and evaluation.

Sample Code and Applications

This book contains many code examples in the form of numbered listings that are referenced in the text, as in "see Listing 10.1." These listings are sample code files, provided for example, planning, and reuse purposes. The listing headings direct you to the files on the CD. For example, consider the following listing heading:

Listing 10.1 10_01.HTM--Creating the New snarfle Page

This heading indicates that this particular code listing (or example) is included electronically on the CD. To find it, browse to the \CODE subdirectory on the CD and select the file name that matches the one referenced in the listing header from the chapter indicated. In this example, you'd look in the Chapter 10 subdirectory and open the 10_01.HTM file.

In addition to the sample code, a variety of complete programs and controls used or created in the book are on the CD. Such files are indicated by an On the CD icon like the one in the margin next to this paragraph. You locate these files just as you do the source code files.

Using the Electronic Book

Platinum Edition Using Visual Basic 5 is available to you on the CD as an HTML document. It can be read from any World Wide Web browser that you may have currently installed on your machine (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator). If you don't have a Web browser, Microsoft's Internet Explorer is included for you.


NOTE: In addition to the complete book on the CD, we have included four bonus chapters and a supplemental appendix that do not appear in the book. The bonus chapters cover the topics of graphics, Visual SourceSafe, multimedia, a SQL primer, and security. The appendixes are all found at the end of the electronic book.

Reading the Electronic Book as an HTML Document

To read the electronic book as an HTML document, you need to start your Web browser and open the document file TOC.HTML located in the \HTMLVER subdirectory of the CD. Alternatively, you can browse the CD directory by using Windows Explorer or My Computer and double-clicking TOC.HTML.

After you have opened the TOC.HTML page, you can access all of the book's contents by clicking the highlighted chapter number or topic name. The electronic book works like any other Web page; when you click a hot link, a new page is opened or the browser takes you to the new location in the document. As you read through the electronic book, you will notice other highlighted words or phrases. Clicking these cross-references also takes you to a new location within the electronic book. You can always use your browser's forward or backward buttons to return to your original location.

Installing Internet Explorer

If you don't have a Web browser installed on your machine, you can use Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.0, which is included on the CD-ROM.

Microsoft Internet Explorer can be installed from the self-extracting file in the \EXPLORER directory. Double-click MSIE30.exe, or use the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs option and follow the instructions in the setup routine.


ON THE WEB
http://www.microsoft.com/ie Other versions of this software can be downloaded from Microsoft's Web site.

Products and Demos from Third-Party Vendors

The rest of this appendix identifies and describes all of the third-party programs, previews, and demos included on the CD. There are some truly innovative tools on the CD. Everything from ActiveX controls to Visual Basic extensions for your site to browsers, viewers, and content creation utilities are included. Be sure to take a few minutes and browse the different toys that are available.


NOTE: Most of the products on the CD are demos or shareware. You could have some difficulty running them on your particular machine. If you do, feel free to contact the vendor. (A vendor would rather have you evaluate their product than ignore it.)

Please note the licensing agreements and obligations for shareware and the purchasing information for registered versions when applicable.


Bennet-Tec Information Systems

ALLText HT/Pro ALLText HT/Pro is a professional level edition of the popular ALLText mixed font textbox. Designed for demanding users, ALLText HT/Pro offers all the features from of the ALLText standard edition plus RTF support, Hypertext tagging, OLE Objects and Picture Support. Everything you need to make a professional HyperText or multimedia application.

MetaDraw MetaDraw is a special purpose picture box/image-editing tool. MetaDraw looks like a standard picture box within your application, but offers unique support for the creation, editing, and display of MetaFiles--an ideal graphical format for applications requiring the drawing or moving of graphical objects. MetaDraw is also specially designed to allow you to tag individual graphic objects for HyperGraphic/HotSpot applications.

TList 3/Pro TLIST3/Pro is the professional edition of the popular TList standard control. Built for users who need real power, Tlist3 Pro offers all the features from the standard edition plus a host of features to handle the most demanding job.

Black Diamond Consulting

Surround Video SDK The Surround Video SDK is a collection of tools that developers can use to add 360 degree panoramic images to an application, as well as an ActiveX control to allow the use of Surround Video images in HTML documents or Web pages. The images can either be photographed or generated via 3-D rendering software, and they allow users interactive navigation within photo-realistic environments. The Surround Video SDK supports progressive rendering, hot-spotting with URL links, and development of Internet and CD-ROM multimedia titles.

Citrix Systems

WinFrame ICA Client Work with standard Windows applications from your Internet browser using WinFrame Web Client from Citrix. WinFrame Web Client allows you to work with any 16- or 32-bit Windows-based application linked to a standard HTML Web page or embedded with an ActiveX control. For the first time, companies can enrich their Internet/intranet Web sites by seamlessly integrating off-the-shelf Windows-based applications by using WinFrame server software. WinFrame is extremely efficient over low-bandwidth connections for any PC, Mac, or UNIX client.

Data Dynamics, Limited

DynamiCube DynamiCube facilitates data mining/analysis through instant filtering, drill-down, roll-up, and pivoting of virtually unlimited quantities of relational data. Developers can license DynamiCube and easily drop its OLAP and reporting capabilities into applications, including Web sites, with full control over which features and capabilities will be available to the end user.

ImageFX

FXPic Demo Add the fastest, high-speed image display to your Windows applications or Web pages! With the latest, leading-edge imaging technology of Pegasus Imaging Corporation, FXPic is the exciting new way of displaying images up to eight times faster. PIC, BMP, and JPEG are displayed with over 100 professional special effects.

FractalFX Demo FractalFX adds the highest quality display of resolution independence images with ImageFX's award-winning special effects. Choose from over 100 special effects to display FIF and BMP files. Supports color transparency, 3-D borders/bevels, hot spots, and custom cursors.

FXTools Professional Demo FXTools 4.0, eight multimedia ActiveXs and VBXs with unmatched performance and special effects features. Display images, text, shapes, and video with 113 main, transition, and dissolve effects. Supports 10 image formats, 3-D fonts, block shadows, 3-D borders, rotated text, off-shaped hotspots, gradient styles, unlimited composition features, and more.

VectorFX Demo VectorFX is a recent breakthrough for adding vector image support to your Windows applications and Web pages. Displays CorelDRAW, AutoCAD, and other vector images with over 100 professional special effects. Displays CDR, CGM, DRW, DXF, EPS Preview, GEM, PLT, HGL, PIC, WPG, and WMF like never before.

K L Group

Olectra Chart Olectra Chart is the first charting OLE/ActiveX Control that is both easy to use and advanced enough to build virtually any chart, including X-Y plots, bar charts, area charts, pie charts, combination graphs, financial graphs, and logarithmic scientific charts. With two OCXs, two DLLs, and hundreds of well-structured properties, methods, and events to choose from, you can easily build and control almost any graph. End users can manipulate, tune, and adjust charts through tab-based property pages that are included with Olectra Chart.

OpenMap Software

DBMap DBMap Control is a data bound ActiveX control targeted to developers using integrated development environments. DBMap Control enables developers to provide three main areas of functionality to users: Map and CAD drawing display; Thematic shading of points, lines, and polygons; and Database query via picked features.

ProtoView Development

Data Table Grid Control Data Table is a high-performance grid component. With its compact size, virtual memory, and advanced data-caching schemes, Data Table is clearly designed for industrial real-world applications. Features include: editable cells, cells may have bitmaps, check boxes or combo boxes, set colors and fonts for cells, horizontal and vertical splitter windows, resize columns and rows, column sorting, region selection, built-in column searches and column totaling, 3-D effects, and more. Full message based, OWL and MFC class programming interfaces. Packaged as 16/32-bit DLL, VBX, and OCX. Source code available.

InterAct InterAct is a software component that may be used to display complete relationships rules in an intuitive easy-to-read diagram metaphor. Choose from an assortment of shapes, bitmaps, and lines to create your diagram. Setting colors, fonts, text, and 3-D effects is easy when you use the built-in diagramming editor. Advanced features like zoom in, zoom out, and printing are standard features. Package includes OCX and DLL.

ProtoView Interface Component Set (PICS) PICS offers sophisticated controls for date/calendar, time, and numeric input using your choice of odometer, LED readout, or normal display. Add to these a slick looking gauge control, font and point-size selection control, multidirectional spin button, stereo volume control, and fancy icon buttons. PICS also contains a powerful hierarchical list box that includes an unlimited number of bitmaps per list, over 100 functions for complete control of subtrees, selection, display, searching, and item manipulation. Full message based, OWL and MFC class programming interfaces. Packaged as 16/32-bit DLL, VBX, and OCX. Source code available.

Mabry Software

ALARM ALARM is a custom control that lets you set multiple alarms to go off (that is, fire events) at various times during the day. This control makes it easy to schedule events. Just set the properties and wait for ALARM to notify you. You can specify such times as 9:12am, 10:45pm, every hour on the hour, every ten minutes, once per minute, and so on. ALARM even tells you when the date has changed. You can use this to remove all of the current alarms and set new ones for the day. A must if you're writing a PIM (Personal Information Manager). Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls.

ASOCKET ASOCKET provides sequenced, reliable, full-duplex connection-based byte streams. Uses the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). It also supports datagrams using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Includes VBX and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

BARCOD BARCOD makes barcode display and printing really easy. Just pick the orientation, set the size, and pick the barcode style. Then set the caption to whatever you want the bars to be. BARCOD uses the Caption property to determine what to display. This control is good for inventory applications, identification systems, and any other programs that require printed computer-readable data. Samples included show you how to print barcodes using the Printer Object and how to copy a bitmap of the barcode to the Clipboard. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

DFINFO DFINFO gives you disk and file information that VB doesn't provide. It also enables you to change some aspects of a file, such as attributes, size, date, and time. The disk side of this control enables you to find out how much disk space you have and how much of it is free. You can also read volume names. The file side of this control enables you to find out all of the important information about a file (size, attribute flags, and date and time of last modification). It also enables you to change most of the attribute flags and change the size of the file as well. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

FINGER FINGER requests user information from another host. Typical information includes last date of logon, mail waiting, real name, address, and phone number. FINGER complies with RFC 1288. Includes VBX and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

FLABEL FLABEL is a label control that lets you format the text within it. You can have different fonts, different colors, multiple paragraphs, paragraph formatting, and so forth. All this and it's bound, too. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

FTP FTP 32-bit OCX control allows you to log on to remote hosts to transfer files to and from the remote host. FTP works in conjunction with GETHST for address resolution. FTP complies with RFC 959. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

GETHST GETHST 32-bit OCX control allows you to translate from host name to IP address, and IP address to host name. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

GOPHER GOPHER 32-bit OCX control encapsulates the Gopher protocol used to provide access to documents and files, and to search databases available on the Internet. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

HITIME HITIME is a high-resolution timer. You use this control just like the default Timer control that comes with Visual Basic. Visual Basic's Timer control can only fire an event every 55 milliseconds (18.2 times per second). HITIME can fire events at a much higher rate. How high depends on the speed of your machine. 486D2/66s can handle more than 500 ticks per second. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

INDICATOR INDICATOR shows a gauge that looks like those found on the front of stereos (tri-color, multiple lights). This control includes horizontal and vertical versions of the indicator. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

INICON INICON makes INI file access simple. WIN.INI and private INI file access are both supported. No API calls required. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

JOYSTK JOYSTK gives your program information and events about the joystick's movement and buttons. One or two normal joysticks or one 3-D joystick are supported. JOYSTK (VBX only) comes with a joystick driver for Windows (required). This driver supports 4-button joysticks (such as the Gravis PC GamePad). Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

KNOB KNOB is a knob. You can change the size, have tick marks around it, have text near the tick marks, change some of the colors, and so on. You can use KNOB to control volume, pitch, tempo, or anything else you might control with a scroll bar or slider. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

LED LED behaves like an LED. 3-D effects and colors are all user-definable. This control is useful whenever you need a passive on/off indicator (modem lights, working lights,and so forth). Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

MAIL MAIL 32-bit OCX control encapsulates the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and the Post Office Protocol (POP) for managing e-mail on the Internet. MAIL supports attachments. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

MIDIFILE MIDIFILE provides the Visual Basic programmer with an easy way to read and write MIDI files, both formats 0 (single track) and 1 (multiple tracks). By using the MIDIFILE control, you can modify existing MIDI files or create entirely new ones from scratch. You have complete control over and access to every type of MIDI message, and you can insert, delete, and modify tracks and messages at any time. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

MIDI I/O MIDI I/O is really two controls in one. The MIDIIN control handles the MIDI input and the MIDIOUT control handles the MIDI output. The MIDIIN control is used to receive MIDI messages from external MIDI devices. Messages can be retrieved using events or polling, and are time-stamped with millisecond accuracy. The MIDIIN control has an internal queueing mechanism so if messages arrive faster than your application can handle them, they will not be lost. The MIDIOUT control gives you complete control over the contents and timing of MIDI messages sent to either internal or external MIDI devices. You can queue as many messages as you like (within the constraints of available memory) before starting output, or you can queue one or more messages prior to starting output and then add more as the output proceeds. Messages are scheduled for transmission at a time you specify relative to the time that output is started. As with the MIDIIN control, timing has millisecond resolution, giving you the ability to precisely control the timing of sent MIDI messages. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

NEWS EWS provides easy access to Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) servers as specified in RFC 977. It supports user authentication protocol and is unique in providing access to non-standard server commands through READ/WRITE methods. Includes VBX and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

PERCNT PERCNT displays a percentage bar on your form. This makes status reporting very easy. 3-D effects, fonts, and colors are all at your control. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

PICBTN PICBTN is a command button that has both text and a picture on it. The picture can be scaled and placed above, below, to the right, or to the left of the text. The text may be multi-line. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

ROTEXT ROTEXT lets you place a label on your forms at any angle or degree of rotation. This control can be bound to a data control. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

SLIDER SLIDER provides horizontal and vertical sliders. You can select from different slider styles, track styles, colors, ticks, and so forth. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

SOUNDX SOUNDX provides Soundex and Metaphone algorithms. Soundex and Metaphone convert words or names to codes that represent how they "sound." This can be really useful in a database application where users need to find names they may not know how to spell exactly. Use this control to make it easier for them. Just put in the word or name you want converted, and the appropriate codes come out. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

TALK TALK allows you to interactively communicate with users on remote hosts in order to chat. Includes 32-bit OCX control. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

TIME TIME encapsulates the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to allow you to retrieve the Greenwich Mean Time from supporting hosts on the Internet. The TIME control allows you to develop time synchronization applications for your system (among other things). Incorporating this control into your application allows you to request the Greenwich Mean time from any time-server that you select. Includes VBX and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

TIPS TIPS provides Microsoft-style tool tips. Small windows pop up with bits of info when the user pauses the mouse over your controls. No code is required; just set the Tag properties. TIPS attaches itself to the hWnd property of a control. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

VALIDATE VALIDATE makes data validation much easier. This control allows you to collect all of the data validation code for a form into one event procedure. This results in smaller and more maintainable code. Validate works only with controls that have an hWnd property. Includes 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

WAVE WAVE makes it easy for you to play and get information about WAV files. Play WAV files in the background as your program performs other tasks, and add recorded speech to your applications. This is all very straightforward. Set the Filename property and tell it to go. That's it. WAVE requires a sound card. Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

WHOIS WHOIS provides access to the WHOIS servers on the Internet. By incorporating WHOIS into your applications, you may query for information about hosts, users, and businesses who have accounts on the Internet. Includes 32-bit OCX control. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

ZIPINF ZIPINF gives you information about the content (directory) of a ZIP file and has many uses (file Manager replacement, drive searching, and so on). Includes VBX and 16- and 32-bit OCX controls. Microsoft Visual C++ v4.0 source code is available at additional cost for all controls.

mBED Software

mBED Control for ActiveX mBED Software is the only open solution for Web-smart, media-rich interactivity. mBED Interactor makes authoring multimedia mbedlets quick and easy.

McRae Software International

GridWiz GridWiz ActiveX is an incredibly flexible set of grid ActiveX controls. GridWiz support many different cell types and formatting options. Bindable to ODBC or DAO. Online documentation and sample code provided.

J. Ritmeijer

ActiveX Game of Life The traditional game in an ActiveX control.

StatistiX The control parses the page it's embedded in for useful statistical information and then displays it in a graph. This control is still in development.

Sax Software

Sax Webster Control The evaluation copy of Sax Webster control contains the full-featured 32-bit OCX of their Web-browsing custom control. Webster uses your system's installed TCP/IP stack to let you browse without doing any coding. You get instant interactive access to the Web from within your program, plus support for printing, Level 3 HTML, on- or off-line browsing, and more. The Evaluation Copy can be used only for evaluation purposes.

Template Graphics Software

Visual 3Space Control Visual 3Space control is a 3-D/VRML ActiveX control used to add 3-D functionality to Microsoft Visual C++, Visual Basic, and Internet Explorer. Delivering over 400 property and method settings, including user interface components to cameras, lights, events and geometry control, Visual 3Space control supports both intranet- and Internet-capable 3-D applications, DXF, VRML, and Open Inventor.

Tumbleweed Software

Envoy Control for ActiveX Try one of the first controls for Internet Explorer ActiveX. Tumbleweed Envoy Control for ActiveX currently provides viewing capabilities. This demo product is also available for download free of charge from the Tumbleweed Web site: www.tumbleweed.com/download.htm

Vosaic

Vosaic-X Vosaic-X permits a seamless, transparent user download of the Vosaic-X ActiveX component to view real-time video and audio streams over the Web and any IP-based network. Vosaic-X streams standards-compliant-based MPEG and H.263, and GSM audio.

Vivo Software

VivoActive Player for ActiveX VivoActive from Vivo Software is the world's first SERVERLESS streaming video product, and users report in great numbers that they get excellent video quality even at very low bit rates. Since there's no server component, the high cost and hassle of providing streaming video are eliminated. Now, even over 28.8 modems, Web surfers can watch uninterrupted streaming audio/video content that pretty much starts to play when they click.

Microsoft

ActiveX Control Pad, VB5CCE, and Internet Explorer are all Microsoft products. There are some truly innovative tools on the CD that enable you to do some fun things with your pages. Everything from ActiveX controls to Visual Basic extensions for your site to browsers, viewers, and content creation utilities are included. Be sure to take a few minutes and browse the different toys that are available.


Previous chapterNext chapterContents


Macmillan Computer Publishing USA

© Copyright, Macmillan Computer Publishing. All rights reserved.