Copyright: Copyright ® 1994 In Touch Software


Contents
  VB Print  1.0    Contents:

The Contents lists Help topics available for VB Print.

To learn how to use Help, press F1 or choose Using Help from the Help menu

About:

Installation & Registration:

Operation:


Installing & Registering VB Print
  VB Print    Installation & Registration:

Installation

VB Print Files

Warranty & Agreement

Version - Features

Registration Instructions

Registration Form


Operating VB Print
  VB Print   Operation:

Below lists the steps involved in using VB Print to document your VB project:

1) Load (Save) you project into Visual Basic Design environment.

2) Start VB Print   	See  Starting VB Print

3) Press the "Mak File" button  	See: How VB Print Works

4) Select project components  	See: Selecting Project Components

5) Select code Font, Size and Style  	See: Selecting Code Style

See: About Fonts, Size and Style

6) Select Print Options  	See: Selecting Print Options

7) Press the "Print" button  	See: Printing

Note: VB Print can be aborted at certain times using the <Ctrl - X> key combination.

Note: If for some reason VB Print aborts or causes an error do not issue a "File - Save Project" - simply reload you project with a "File - Open Project".

Other Related Topics:

Saving Settings

Limitations

Known Anomalies

Future Features


About VB Print
 About VB Print:

VB Print Features:	VB Print Benefits:

Selectable print styles for Code, Headers and comments 	Better printouts for easier reading

Selectable (Customizable) code highlighting	Distinguish code you think is important

Right justified line wrapping for easier code reading	Keeps code structure intact

Selectable project components	Print only the items you want.

Project and page header options	Manage your project

From and Icon printing option	Document your project

Settings and options can be saved	Customize to suit your needs

Simple operation at an affordable low cost	Why pay $100

Focus:

VB Print was written out of a need  to improve the printout capability of the Visual Basic development environment.  VB print was also developed as a simple yet effective alternative to expensive overkill products available on the commercial market.

Shareware:

VB Print is a shareware product and thus you are encouraged to copy and distribute this program.  You may not however alter the contents of any file or distribute known passwords.  You are encouraged to use this product for a trial period and see if it suits you needs.  If you find this program worth the minimal cost then you should register it so that I can continue to improve it.  Your feedback - registration or otherwise - is greatly appreciated.

VB Print   Version: 1.0

Written by:	Paul Woodworth      (CompuServe 75330,746)
In Touch Software
27934 Redwood Glen Rd.
Valencia, CA 91354

Return to Contents:

See Also

Warranty & Agreement


Version - Features
Version - Features:

1.0	2/6/94	Initial public release.

See Also

Known Anomalies

Warranty


Installation
Installation:

This program requires Microsoft Windows 3.0 or above running standard or enhanced mode to operate.

This program also requires the Microsoft Visual Basic Development environment version 2.0 or 3.0.

Installation:

Copy the uncompressed files to any new directory.

WARNING: Do not copy (install) and run VB Print from an existing directory - Install VB Print in its own (new) directory.  VB Print creates and destroys all *.txt and *.frx files in the directory where it is run from.

Example:  COPY a:\*.* c:\VB\VBPRINT\

To create application icons simply drag the VBPRINT.EXE and VBPRINT.HLP from the file manager to the program manager group of choice.

See Also

VB Print  Files

Registration


VB Print Files
VB Print Files:

VB Print application files:

VB PRINT.HLP	 35 Kb	   The help document you are reading

VB PRINT.EXE	 45 Kb	   The VB Print Visual Basic program

README.WRI	  	   VB Print introduction file.

The following files are used by VB Print but are part of the Visual Basic v 3.0 development environment and thus not supplied by the application. NOTE: If you are using VB Print for the Visual Basic v 2.0 environment you will need a copy these files.

VBRUN300.DLL	   Required to run Visual Basic (3.0) programs.

COMMDLG.DLL	  	   Required for common dialog functions.

CMDIALOG.VBX	      	   Required for common dialog functions.

See Also

VB Print  Installation


Starting VB Print

VB Print is run by simply double clicking on the VB Print icon or file manager item VBPRINT.EXE.  In order for VB Print to operate the Visual Basic development environment must be open and running in non-icon mode.

NOTE: When you first run VB Print it will initialize itself with your operation system which will generate a unique 3 digit installation number.  To register your copy see the Registration section

Return to: VB Print Operation


How VB Print Works

VB Print uses "SendKeys" to march the Visual Basic development environment through the necessary steps to generate the required files for printing.  Although this method is somewhat crude it accomplishes the required task efficiently.  While the VB Print is running don't panic to see your program seem to take on a life of its own - it will be restored to its original condition.

The VB Print application essentially does three basic tasks:

1) Scans the .MAK file for project components

2) Creates *.txt files out of the selected components

3) Prints out these *.txt files in the desired fashion

Return to: VB Print Operation


Selecting Project Components

The various parts that comprise your VB program are listed in the  "Projects components:" list box when the "MAK File" button is pressed.  You will notice that they match the "Project Window" in Visual Basic item-for-item.  You can select all or any combination of your projects components you wish to print by using standard Windows selection techniques:

<Click>   	Select a single component

<Shift - Click>  	Select a group of components

<Ctrl - Click> 	Select or Deselect an individual component.

Note that you cannot select a *.vbx file since it does not contain any printable code.

Return to: VB Print Operation


Selecting Code Styles

There are three different types (styles) of code that can be highlighted (differentiated) during the printing process: Select Code, Comments and Regular Code.

Select Code:

Select code is code that you want highlighted in some special way to standout from the rest.

Typical highlighted (Selected) code sections might include: "Sub", "Function", "Begin" etc.

You can enter your own selection items that you consider important such as: "Option Explicit" or "Dim".

Note that you can only select items that are the first non-whitespace characters in the line and that the selection is case sensitive.  Note that program will only save the first 7 items in the list but use all select items if provided.  In addition, the page and project headers use the same font/size/type as this section.

Edit a Select item:	Click (select) the item and then edit the item in the connected box. Press the check button when complete

Delete a Select item:	Click (select) the item and then delete it using the backspace key.  Press the check button when complete.

Add a new Select item:	Click (select) the blank below the last item and them type in the desired item to be selected.   Press the check button when complete.

Comments:

Comments are all non-code items beginning with 'Rem" or the VB " ' " comment character.

A typical font for comments would be some sort of proportional font such as "Aerial" or "Script"

You can specify the leading comment character to your choosing - a typical character might be the 'C' comment double slash character "//".

Regular Code:

Regular code is all remaining lines of code not specified in the above two sections.

Typically one should pick a small non-proportional non-bold font for this section.

NOTE: The ability to edit the selection list and save its contents is disabled in non-registered copies.

See: About Fonts, Size and Style:

Return to: VB Print Operation


About Fonts, Size and Style
About Fonts, Size and Style:

For all three code selection sections you can adjust the Font, Size and Style of the printout.

Font:

Note that you can select either 'Screen' or 'Printer' fonts by selecting the "File - Fonts - Screen/Printer" menu options.  If a font cannot be used (causes an error) a message will be displayed and the font will default to "Courier New".

Note that a the use of a proportional font for your Regular Code sections may cause your printout to look different or "out of alignment" since VB uses non-proportional fonts.  Thus it is recommended that you use only non-proportional fonts in your Regular Code section.

Size:

The font size list lets you pick a font size but you can enter almost any size you desire.  If a font size cannot be used (causes an error) a message will be displayed and the font size will default to '10'

Style:

The font style control is an unusual combination of a combobox and picklist.  A selected style is designated by a " * " after it.  To select a style simply click on the style - to deselect click again and the " * " will disappear.  Do not be necessarily concerned in what is in the "Edit" portion of this combo box - but what styles have a " * " after them.

Return to: VB Print Operation


Selecting Print Options

There are three basic print options that you can select: Print Project Header, Print Forms and Print Form Text.

Print Project Header:

If selected this option will printout a project header containing useful information about you project and its components:

Component:	File Name:	File Path:	File Size:	File Date/Time:

.MAK File

Executable

Help File

All *.FRM, *.BAS and *.VBX contained in your .MAK file

In addition VB Print will display (print) a "icon" worth of image information from each from if available and if selected.  If the project has not specified a component then it prints " -- not set --" and if the component cannot be located it prints " -- unknown --".

Print Forms (Pictures)

If selected this option will printout your VB form in a bit map dump (picture) to the printer

Note that no header or page number will be available on this page.

Print Form Text (Begin)

If selected the "Form Description" code will be printed.  This code section can be quite lengthy and is typically omitted.  Note that an item in the Select list - such as "Begin" - will still be printed regardless of the selection of this print option.  Note that comments in this section will not be highlighted as comments but as regular code.

Return to: VB Print Operation


Printing
Printing:

Pressing the "Print" button starts the printing process.  The status bar will display current status: Form - line number etc. while the VB Print is running.  Do not be alarmed by the activity on the screen - it is normal.  Despite the appearance that you program is being overwritten - it is not - and your program will be restored to its original state.  When the printing process is complete the status window will state "Printing Complete" - however the windows print manager will more than likely still be printing.  If any problem should arise simply exit VB design mode without saving any changes.

Related Items:

Lines that are wrapped because of their length will be right justified and will be preceded with ">>>"

At the last page of the printout " *** End Of Document *** " will be printed.

Return to: VB Print Operation


Save Settings
Save Settings:

The File - Save Settings menu item will save the following current settings:

Font, Size and Style or all three code sections

Contents of the Select List

Screen or Printer Fonts

Comment Character

Print Options

Note: The last printer orientation is stored by Windows.

Note: The Save Settings is functional only on registered copies.

Return to: VB Print Operation


Limitations
Limitations:

VB Print has some limitations:

1) Only designed to work with the Microsoft Visual Basic v 3.0 or v 2.0 development environments.

2) Works only with VB code files with the extensions: *.FRM, *.BAS, *.GLB, *.VBX.  It does not support text mode file operation.

3) Requires that the code to be printed be saved and be "OK'd" by the VB compiler for proper operation.

4) Will only wrap (continue) a long line only once.

5) Has no printer margin setting capability.

NOTE: An unregistered copy of VB Print does not save settings nor will it allow editing of the select list.

See Also

Known Anomalies


Known Anomalies
Known Anomalies:

If you hold down the Shift Key and have multiple *.VBX files you can inadvertently select a *.VBX file.

To avoid this situation do not select *.VBX files.

See Also

Warranty


Future Features
Features to be added at a later date - version:

1) Margin Control

See Also

Warranty


Warranty & Agreement
Warranty & Agreement:

IN TOUCH SOFTWARE, OR IS OWNERS, DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

SHOULD THIS PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE PURCHASER ASSUMES THE RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CONNECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT WILL IN TOUCH SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT.

RESALE OF THIS PRODUCT IS NOT PERMITTED - ONLY A NOMINAL CHAREGE MAY BE ACCEPTED FOR DISTRIBUTION.

Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents.

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subdivision (b)(3)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at 52.227-7013

The features, performance, cost of the product or the information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the author.

Visual Basic is a registered product of Microsoft Corporation

See Also

Registration Instructions


Registration Instructions
Registration Instructions:

In order to keep costs down, we do not provide on-line phone support.  If you have specific questions, problems or would like to see new features, please send us a letter and we will contact you if you want.

Registration Option 1: Protected - Password required - No disk provided

After sending in the registration form you will receive a 4 digit password code that will properly activate your copy of VB Print.  To activate your installation go to the About section and enter your 4 digit number in place of the four X's (:XXXX) and then press the 'Register' button.  NOTE: If you inadvertently enter the wrong password number and press 'Register' you must then exit VB Print and repeat the process.  After password activation is complete, no further passwords or reminder screens will show.  If you inadvertatanly delete Windows and VB Print (i.e. a hard disk crash) you can write to us and receive a new password if required.

NOTE: It is absolutely essential that the version # and Installation # are correct as shown on your VB Print About screen in order for your password to be correct.

Registration Option 2: Not protected - No password required - Disk provided

After sending in the registration form you are provided a personalized disk which is not installation protected.  This disk will allow unlimited copies (installations) for use by the registered individual or company.  Note that this copy is not for distribution to the general public and cannot be used for resale purposes without prior written permission.

See Also

Registration form


Registration Form
Registration Form:	VB Print 1.0

Mail this form to:	In Touch Software

27934 Redwood Glen Rd.

Valencia, CA 91354

Name:	____________________________________

Phone: 	( __ __ __ )   __ __ __  -  __ __ __ __ 	(optional)

Company:	____________________________________

Address:	____________________________________

City:	_______________    State: ___   Zip: _________

Registration Option 1: Protected - Password required - No disk provided

New owner:	$5

Registered owner upgrade:	$2

VB Print Version #: 	__ . __	(should be 1.0)

VB Print Installation #:	__ __ __ :XXXX

Registration Option 2: Not protected - No password required - Disk provided

Disk size:	  5.25"	 3.5"

New owner:	 $25

Registered owner upgrade:	 $7

Where did you get VB Print ? ___________________________________________________

Comments, Suggestions  or Bugs: