VB_2_EXT  --  Visual Basic External References Manager
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VB_2_EXT provides a simple way of recycling Declare statements for
external Subs and Functions (i.e. DLLs and system routines) from
existing VB source code. In fact, it should help you streamline your
Declares coding into a WORM process: Write Once, Recycle Many times.

I find myself using the same Declare statements over and over again.
For each new project, I resort to having several text file open (API
reference and the like) and cut and paste between them and my new project.
There are great Help files out there which let you grab all of the API
functions, but what about all these Declares for DLLs you've downloaded
or bought and use regularly? VB_2_EXT handles them too.

The whole process is quite simple. The program reads all directory entries
for a given drive (current drive upon startup; user selectable through
a drive control) and finds all *.BAS (code) and *.GLO (global) files.
The file names are displayed in a sorted list box. Double-clicking on
a file name lists all Sub and Function names the file contains in a
second, sorted list box. Clicking on a Sub and Function name enables a
set of buttons for copying or appending the related Declare statement
to the Clipboard. You can also view, edit and/or clear Clipboard contents.
Once you've scrounged up all of your Declares from different source files,
it's one simple Paste operation into your new Global Module and you've got
all your Declares coding taken care of (look ma: no typos!).

Upon startup, the default drive's file names are automatically scanned
and its *.BAS and *.GLO files appear in the file list. By changing the
drive in the drive control, you can choose to either replace the file
list box contents or to add files from that drive to the existing list.

I've used *.BAS and *.GLO as extentions for code-only modules (which is
where Declares live). *.GLO seems to have pretty much established itself
as a pseudo-standard for global modules. I've seen the odd *.GLB (and such)
extention too, but hey: I'm giving you the source code, so if you're using
something exotic, feel free to alter the program to your heart's content.

VB_2_EXT uses three clever DLLs written by clever people. CTLHWND.DLL is
by Jonathan Zuck. For FRAMES.DLL and QSEARCH.DLL I can't find a name on
my hard disk (sorry guys), but both DLLs offer more functions, and you can
download the originals with the documentation from CompuServe's VB/WIN
forum.

This program is JokeWare - if you like it & use it, please send me your
favorite joke via E-mail (CompuServe 100012,74). Same address for ideas
as to improvements, bug reports (bug reports? bugs? in my programs??).


Dave Th. Hutmacher
Zurich, Switzerland