Copyright: DDE Control Centre ® 1994-1995 O'Neill Software


Contents

DDE Control Centre v1.02	Copyright 1994-1995 O'Neill Software 	CIS: 100242,2203

Thank you for purchasing DDE Control Centre.

If you have received an evaluation copy of DDE Control Centre, you are entitled to use it for 30 days, free of obligation.

If, after 30 days, you like this product and continue to use it, you are required to register it.

If you like this product, please tell your friends.

If you don't like it, please tell us.  We are always looking for ways to improve our product.

Any comments, suggestions, etc. can be directed to us via our technical support team.

We hope you enjoy using DDE Control Centre.

Introduction

DDE Control Centre was originally written to experiment with DDE, and to determine what applications provided program control via DDE.

The initial design simply "peeked" and "poked" the various settings provided by applications such as Window's Program Manager, Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Access, but later developed to include a simplistic macro language.

This allowed various DDE conversations to be pre-scripted using DDE, and then incorporated into final applications.

Since then, the language has grown to encompass some of the more commonly required functions of inter-process communication including AppActivate, Maximize/Maximise, Minimize/Minimise, etc.

If interest is sufficient, this language will be expanded to include variables, loops, and many of the features we have come to expect from standard application programming languages such as Visual Basic, Applications Edition.

Installing DDE Control Centre

Installation

Running DDE Control Centre

Operation

DDE Control Centre Command Language

Command Language

DDE Script Files

Registering DDE Control Centre

Registration

Technical Support

Reference

Menus

Index

Glossary


Installing DDE Control Centre

Currently, it is only possible to install DDE Control Centre manually.

We are looking at a number of other setup programs which might provide us with the reliability we require for automated setup procedures.

Manual Installation

1 	Create a directory to contain all files specific to DDE Control Centre.
We recommend using C:\DDECC

2 	Copy all files and directories from the installation disk (or archive) to this directory.

3 	Move all .VBX and .DLL files in the System subdirectory to the Windows System directory (usually C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM).
The .INI file can remain in the DDECC directory.

4 	OPTIONAL:
Create a new group in Program Manager (DDECC) and add icons for DDECC.EXE, DDECC.HLP and any of the sample programs your require (*.DDE).

5 	OPTIONAL:
Create a file association from File Manager for all .DDE files to be run from DDECC.EXE


Running DDE Control Centre

The DDE Control Centre window is divided up into 3 sections: DDE Link Details, Data and Command.

DDE Link Section

This is where your connection to a DDE enabled program is defined.

A link comprises 2 parts for command execution, and 3 parts for data exchange.

Command Execution

In order to execute commands via DDE, it is necessary to specify both the application name and the topic which will process the commands.

Data Exchange

As well as specifying the application name and topic, data exchange requires that the name of the item is also specified.

Data

The Data section has buttons to "peek" (Get) and "poke" (Set) data via DDE, as well as a scrollable text box which contains the actual data.

Command

The Command section has a text box which can contain either a single DDE command, or a DDECC script file which is to be executed.

The button with an ellipsis in it (...) operates the same as the File/Open menu item.

The Execute button is used to execute a single DDE command, and the DoScript button assumes that the text box contains the name of a DDE script file.


Command Language

DDE Control Centre's flexibility lies in the fact that it can use whatever features are available in the programs which it is communicating with.

For details of these you will need to refer to the relevant sections in the manuals and help files provided with that product.

Additionally, DDE Control Centre supports a number of internal commands which allow you to control some of the operations of the application and, to a lesser extent, Windows.

These commands are described in detail, below.

Internal Commands

All DDE Control Centre internal commands are prefixed with 2 colons (::) to uniquely identify them in the wide world of program languages.

Each command is given below with a brief description:

•	::APPLICATION <DDE application name>

Specifies the application to converse with (same as typing in the Application text box).

NOTE: this is not necessarily the same as the application's executable (.EXE) file name.

•	::TOPIC <DDE topic name>

Specifies the application's DDE topic (same as typing in the Topic text box).

•	::ITEM <DDE item name>

Specifies the DDE item for data exchange operations (same as typing in the Item text box).

•	::COMMAND or ::SCRIPT <DDECC script file name>

Specifies a DDE script file to be executed (same as the File/Open menu).

•	::MINIMIZE or ::MINIMISE

Reduces the current application to an icon.

•	::MAXIMIZE or ::MAXIMISE

Causes the current application to fill the screen.

•	::NORMAL or ::RESTORE

Causes the current application to revert to its "normal" screen size.

•	::EXIT

Causes DDE Control Centre to exit (same as the File/Exit menu).

•	::GET

Retrieves data for the specified DDE item (same as the Get button)

•	::SET

Set new data for the specified DDE item (same as Set button)

•	::EXECUTE <application pathname>

Start the specified application

•	::ACTIVATE <application window title>

Bring the already running application to the front.

NOTE: the application is activated by the text in the main window's title bar, not by the name of the application.

Some experimentation will be needed here.

•	::TIMEOUT <new DDE timeout value>

Specify a new timeout value for DDE conversations.

The previous timeout value is stored and can be restored later using the RESTORE TIMEOUT command.

•	::MESSAGE <message text>

Display a message to the operator using a standard message dialog box.

Currently, only single line messages are supported.

•	::PAUSE <seconds>

Causes DDE Control Centre to sleep for a specified amount of time.

This can be used to give applications started by DDE Control Centre enough time to start before continuing with execution of the current script.

•	::RESTORE <value>

Resets a previously changed value to its original settings.

Currently supported values are:

TIMEOUT

•	::CUT

Copies the current contents of the item window to the system clipboard, and them clears the item window.

•	::COPY

Copies the current contents of the item window to the system clipboard.  The contents of the item window remain intact.

•	::PASTE

Copies the contents of the system clipboard to the item window.  The previous contents of the item window are lost.


DDE Scripts

DDE scripts enable a series of commands to be placed together, and to be executed automatically by DDE Control Centre.

Currently, DDECC only supports a simplistic top-to-bottom approach in it's script language, but this will be expanded as interest grows.

Script Commands

DDECC currently supports internal commands, application DDE commands, and comments.

Internal commands are identified by 2 colons (::) at the start of the line.

Comments are identified by a semicolon (;) at the start of the line.

All other commands, other than blank lines, are ignored.  The syntax for applications' DDE commands will be detailed in the documentation accompanying the product.


Registration

DDE Control Centre can be registered by sending a cheque for $US35 (+$US10 shipping and handling) to:

O'Neill Software
9 Williamson Lane
Stratton  WA  6056
AUSTRALIA

Attn: Software Registration

Alternatively, you can now register using the CompuServe shareware registry. Using WinCim, type GO SWREG and quote #4552.

If you would like to be notified when this is available, send your details to:

CompuServe:	100242,2203
Internet:	100242.2203@compuserve.com

We will send you an electronic notification at that time.

What You Get When You Register

If you have an electronic mail address, you will receive your registration details via e-mail as soon as your order has been processed.

You can then convert your evaluation copy to a registered copy by selecting About... from the Help menu, and then clicking on the Register button.

Ensure you enter your name and company details correctly, otherwise your registration code will not be recognised.

If you experience any difficulties registering your copy, contact our technical support team.

You will also receive a disk copy of the latest version of DDE Control Centre, some additional samples files, and a new product currently under development called DDE System Info (DDESI) which will display the System Items available for a given DDE conversation.

Finally, you will receive electronic notification as new versions of DDE Control Centre are released and a discounted upgrade charge for 12 months from the date of registration.


Technical Support

Technical support is currently available via CompuServe.

All questions, comments, suggestions, etc. should be directed to:

CompuServe:	100242,2203
Internet:	100242.2203@compuserve.com

For those without electronic mail facilities, you can either call (+619) 250 7080, or send regular mail to:

O'Neill Software
9 Williamson Lane
Stratton  WA  6056
AUSTRALIA

Attn: Technical Support

Any comments, suggestions, etc. are most welcome.


Menus

File Menu

Edit Menu

Help Menu


File Menu

Open...

The Open menu allows DDE Control Centre script files to be selected using the Window's Common Dialog box.

This script can then be executed by clicking on the DoScript button.

Exit

Shuts down DDE Control Centre, and returns to Windows


Edit Menu

Save Settings on Exit

If this menu item is checked, DDE Control Centre will save the current windows' position, and the settings in the Application, Topic and Item fields for later use.


Help Menu

Contents

Invokes this help file.

About...

Displays an "About" box displaying the current version number and user registration details.

If the current copy is an evaluation copy, it can be registered at any time by clicking on the Register button.

Registration


Index

C

Command Language

Contents

D

DDE Scripts

E

Edit Menu

F

File Menu

G

Glossary

H

Help Menu

I

Index

Installing DDE Control Centre

M

Menus

Menus

Menus

Menus

R

Registration

Running DDE Control Centre

T

Technical Support


Glossary

A

Application

C

Common Dialog

D

DDE

DoScript

I

Item

T

Topic


Application

Specifies the program with which a DDE conversation is to take place


Common Dialog

A system level collection of dialog boxes providing a common user interface for selecting files, colours, fonts and printers.


DDE

Dynamic Data Exchange


DDECC script

<DDE Scripts>


DoScript

Executes the current DDECC script file


File/Open

<File Menu>


Internal commands

<Command Language>


Item

Specifies a data component of a DDE conversation - used with the Get and Set buttons


Register

<Registration>


technical support

<Technical Support>


Topic

Specifies the topic for a DDE conversation with an application