BBC BASIC for Windows
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Help files
Post by Ken Down on Mar 29th, 2010, 12:30pm

I don't know if anyone can help me, please.

I have downloaded something called "HTML Help" from Microsoft and used it to create a help file ("Help.chm"). So far so good. Now how do I add that file to my program's menu so that when people click "Help" or press F1 they get the help file displayed?

When replying, assume that I am a total dummy, please. It saves time in the end!
Re: Help files
Post by admin on Mar 29th, 2010, 5:41pm

on Mar 29th, 2010, 12:30pm, Guest-Ken Down wrote:
how do I add that file to my program's menu so that when people click "Help" or press F1 they get the help file displayed?

In your initialisation put this code:

Code:
      SYS "LoadLibrary", "HHCTRL.OCX" TO hhctrl%
      SYS "GetProcAddress", hhctrl%, "HtmlHelpA" TO `HtmlHelp`

In response to the menu selection, or F1 being pressed, execute this code:

Code:
        SYS `HtmlHelp`, 0, @dir$+"Help.chm", 0, 0

Quote:
When replying, assume that I am a total dummy, please. It saves time in the end!

It may save time, but I'm not a fan of 'spo on feeding' because it doesn't encourage understanding. So often, I've provided a fully-complete ready-to-run solution to a question, only for the recipient to attempt to adapt it slightly and make a complete hash of it because of not properly understanding the code.

I always prefer to provide 'hints' that will allow the OP to find the answer to his question, but only after some research and a degree of understanding of why and how it works. That way he is far better placed to adapt it, and will hopefully acquire the skills to find the answers to problems without help.

Richard.
Re: Help files
Post by Ken Down on Apr 5th, 2010, 9:37pm

Many thanks for that. It works beautifully (and would make an excellent addition to the Wiki or even the help files that come with BB4W).

When asking to be treated as a total idiot, I did not by any means want to have you do all the work. I merely indicated that step-by-step instructions and explanations would be in order. As it turns out, the procedure is simpler than I expected and there is little to explain!

Thanks again.