(Mike Mitchell)
7/8/2011 6:19:00 AM
On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 21:08:13 -0400, "MikeD" <nobody@nowhere.edu> wrote:
>
>
>"MM" <kylix_is@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:ip6c17pspt30tqvud1em3j85mce107dnce@4ax.com...
>> The vbaccelerator demos are always impressive. I have used a couple of
>> the simpler controls in the past. But when it comes to the replacement
>> TreeView, for example, or the SGrid2 control, detailed documentation
>> is sorely lacking. There is an overview "About the TreeView control"
>> on the main page, but this provides few details.
>>
>> It seems the only way to discover how to deploy the control(s) in a
>> VB6 application is by trial and error and by studying the demo source
>> code, which is a very long-winded approach, to say the least.
>>
>> Or am I missing something? Is there documentation hidden away
>> somewhere? Like a complete list of properties, methods and events,
>> with parameters explained?
>
>
>You ever try looking up all the properties, methods, and events in Object
>Browser?
Yes, that is pretty much the only way to make a (mental) list of
what's available (properties, methods etc), but often the details are
sparse, only stating what parameters are expected, but not what the
various settings can be. I've had this before. I've gone to the
vbaccelerator site, been terribly impressed, then come away again half
an hour later feeling very frustrated. I can only assume the apparent
lack of detailed docs is due to the fact that not many programmers
like writing them! I like writing; have written loads; worked as a
technical translator for years. But even I feel a groan coming on when
I know I have to write some documentation.
> I've personally never used any of those controls, but there might
>even be descriptions for each that tell enough of what you need to know.
>Also, check the Windows documentation for whatever the control is. For
>example, you mentioned a TreeView, so check Windows' documentation on that.
The TreeView does appear to be quite compatible with the Windows
version, yet as soon as I started I hit a problem:
Windows: Dim nodx As Node
vbaccelerator: Dim nodx As cTreeViewNode
so I had to start hunting straightaway. The overview I mentioned
earlier says under "cTreeViewNode":
"This object is largely compatible with the standard VB Node object,
with these enhancements:"
It then goes on to list the enhancements, yet there is no explanation
of what "largely" might mean.
Or take the description for MoveNode:
"MoveNode
Moves this Node to another position in the tree. The new location is
specified by a relative node and the relationship of the new position
to it."
So I start typing nodx.MoveNode... to pop up the yellow 'help' tip,
i.e.:
nodx.MoveNode(nodeRelative As cTreeViewNode, [eRelationship As
ETreeViewRelationshipConstants = etvwNext])
No idea what the constants are, so back to the object browser and
drill down some more. Possible settings: etvwChild=4, etvwFirst=0,
etvwLast=1, etvwNext=2, etvwPrevious=3. To note these down for later
reference I have to copy each one individually, then check its
numerical value and type that into my 'mini documentation'. Yes, the
information is there, but to go through an entire object model takes
ages, and I don't like driving in fog!
>Chances are, properties and methods will correspond to TVM messages, and
>events will correspond to TVN notifications and perhaps a few other WM
>messages. Chances are also that they will be similarly named (if whomever
>wrote the control has any kind of programming sense whatsoever). You SHOULD
>be able to figure things out without too much effort.
I just get frustated and seek out some other control instead. After
all, with TreeViews there are a number of alternatives!
Just wondered whether someone somewhere may have already been there
and done the donkey work!
MM