A wide variety of supplemental and add-in products to assist database developers are available for character-based RDBMS applications such as xBase and Paradox. Fewer products in this category are available to Visual C++ and Access database application developers. This appendix lists products and information sources for Visual C++ developers that expand the capability of Visual C++ and improve database development efficiency. Generally, there are not (yet) as many OLE custom controls as there are VBX controls. This will change. There will probably be a wide variety of OLE custom controls by mid-1996 (if not sooner).
This appendix is divided into the following sections:
Within each category, products are listed in alphabetical order by product name.
A number of publishers have plans to introduce data-aware OLE controls. Also, Visual C++ includes a sample data-aware OLE control that could be modified to meet a programmer's needs. Data-aware OLE controls are controls that use Visual C++'s MFC database classes to provide connectivity to recordset objects. You can expect a wider range of data-aware custom controls to become available as the number of Visual C++ database developers increases. The following sections describe the data-aware custom controls that are used in the sample applications in this book.
The one product listed in this category doesn't offer a data-aware OLE control. However, the controls offered by WinWidgets can be useful to programmers of database applications.
WinWidgets is a collection of controls that the Visual C++ programmer can use when developing database applications. There are a number of different products in the WinWidgets family, including WinWidgets XGrid OCX and WinWidgets XTable OCX. WinWidgets controls include a set of data-related controls (such as date, time, currency, string, and mask), as well as a grid and a spreadsheet control.
Lifeboat Publishing
1163 Shrewsbury Avenue
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702-9949
Telephone orders: (908) 389-0037
Fax: (908) 389-9227
BBS: (908) 389-9783
Microsoft supplies ODBC drivers for Microsoft and Oracle client-server databases with Visual C++ 4. Many other client-server database publishers and third-party software developers currently supply or were in the process of developing multiple-tier and single-tier ODBC drivers at the time this book was published. The following sections describe some of the ODBC drivers that were available for commercial applications in 1995 and early 1996 and that were tested during the writing of this book.
Enterprise Data Access/SQL, or EDA/SQL, was introduced in 1991 and has since become the industry standard in data access middleware. EDA/SQL provides SQL and stored procedure-based access to more than 60 relational and nonrelational data structures across all major operating platforms and networks. This middleware technology lets customers build departmental and enterprise-wide client/server systems that integrate heterogeneous data, application tools, and operating environments seamlessly and transparently.
Through comprehensive support of all major application programming interfaces, such as ODBC, DB-Library, DDCS/2, OCI, and X/Open, EDA/SQL simplifies the challenge of operating in environments comprised of multiple standards. EDA/SQL's marketplace leadership has caused it to be adopted by IBM, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Digital, Informix, and Oracle into their information warehouse and DBMS products.
Information Builders, Inc.
EDA Division
1250 Broadway
New York, NY 10001-3782
Telephone: (800) 969-INFO, (212) 736-4433
Fax: (212) 629-3612
The Microsoft ODBC Desktop Database Drivers kit consists of single-tier drivers for Access (.MDB), dBASE III, IV, and V (.DBF), FoxPro (.DBF), and Paradox (.PX) databases, as well as drivers for Excel worksheet files (.XLS) and text files (.CSV, .TXT, and .ASC). All these drivers are supplied with Visual C++ 4 in the MSDEV\REDIST folder on the Visual C++ distribution CD.
Microsoft Corp.
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
Telephone: (800) 227-4679, (206) 882-8080
Intersolv, Inc. supplies an ODBC DataDirect driver pack, a collection of ODBC drivers for a variety of desktop and client-server databases. In addition to supplying the ODBC Driver Pack, Intersolv develops ODBC drivers on a contract basis for publishers of client-server RDBMSs. Intersolv's drivers are possibly the most extensive available to the database programmer.
One of the advantages of Intersolv's single-tier drivers is that the dBASE and Paradox drivers support transaction processing. The Intersolv DataDirect ODBC pack supports ALLBASE, Btrieve, CA-Ingres, Clipper, DB2, DB2/2, DB2/6000, dBASE, Excel, FoxBase, FoxPro, Gupta SQLBase, IMAGE/SQL, INFORMIX, InterBase, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Paradox, PROGRESS, Scalable SQL (formerly Netware SQL), SQL/400, SQL/DS, SYBASE System 10, SYBASE SQL Server 4, Teradata, text files, and XDB.
Intersolv
1800 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 210
Morrisville, NC 27560
Telephone: (800) 876-3101
Fax: (919) 461-4526
This section includes products that are designed specifically to aid in the development of Visual C++ database applications. Some of the products listed in this section are specifically designed for use with Access database files and require the retail version of Access.
Novell, Inc. was supplying Btrieve for Windows as a component of many of its NetWare products. In 1994, Btrieve Technologies (founded by a group of former Novell employees) purchased Novell's database products.
Btrieve Technologies USA
8834 Capital of Texas Highway North, Suite 300
Austin, TX 78759
Telephone: (800) BTRIEVE, (512) 794-1719
Fax: (512) 794-1778
CompuServe: GO BTRIEVE
E-mail: info@btrvtech.com, salessupport@btrvtech.com, techsupport@btrvtech.com
DDF Builder lets you design and create your own data definition files (FIELD.DDF and INDEX.DDF) for Novell Btrieve tables. DDF Builder also can create new Btrieve tables. If you plan to import or attach to Access Btrieve tables created by other applications, you'll probably need DDF Builder to reconstruct the data-definition files to meet the requirements of the Btrieve driver of the Access database engine.
Smithware, Inc.
2416 Hillsboro Road, Suite 201
Nashville, TN 37212
Telephone: (800) 828-7438, (615) 386-3100
Fax: (615) 386-3135
E-mail: info@smithware.com
InfoModeler is an application that lets you quickly and accurately build databases for the leading desktop, client-server, and mainframe database systems. This product lets you produce graphical documentation of the database and produces documentation for record-keeping.
The InfoModeler product uses Formal Object Role Modeling (FORML) to assist the developer in designing the database.
Asymetrix, Inc.
110 110th Avenue N.E., Suite 700
Bellevue, WA 98004-5840
Sales telephone: (800) 448-6543
Support telephone: (206) 637-1600
Fax: (206) 637-1504
The MTX Accounting Software Development Kit (SDK) is a full-featured accounting application created in Access. General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll modules are included. MTX ported the Access application from its DOS accounting application. The advantage of the MTX Accounting SDK for Visual C++ programmers who are developing accounting applications is that the database file structure for a complete accounting package is ready-made.
MTX International, Inc.
98 Inverness Dr. East, Suite 110
Englewood, CO 80112
Telephone: (800) 888-MTXI, (303) 790-1400
CIS: 71201,1714
Fax: (303) 888-6894
Total Access is a comprehensive documentation, analysis, and reporting tool for Access databases. Using Total Access is one of the subjects of Chapter 22, "Documenting Your Database Applications." All of the data that Total Access uses to create its 30 built-in reports is stored in tables that you can read with Visual C++ database applications. You also can customize Total Access's reports or create your own reports. Although Total Access was designed for Access database developers, it's equally useful for Visual C++ database applications that use the .MDB database structure.
Financial Modeling Specialists, Inc.
8027 Leesburg Pike, Suite 410
Vienna, VA 22182
Telephone: (703) 356-4700
Fax: (703) 448-3861
WINGate is a unique programming toolkit that provides interprocess communication between DOS and Windows applications. WINGate's initial applications are designed to let Clipper, dBASE, and FoxPro applications running under DOS interchange data with Windows applications. The heart of WINGate is a Windows enhanced-mode virtual device driver (VxD), VWINGD.386, which lets applications running in virtual machines (VMs) communicate. WINGate uses client-server terminology in the same manner as DDE and OLE.
WINGate Technologies (a division of MITech, Inc.)
High Street Court, Suite 303
Morristown, NJ 07960
Telephone: (201) 539-2727
Fax: (201) 539-2838
This section describes add-in products and custom controls that aid in the creation of Visual C++ applications but are not specifically oriented to database applications.
Quicture is an application that can be used by documentation developers (and other users of Microsoft Word for Windows) to enhance graphics included in documents. This product enhances the performance of Word for Windows by using placeholders for graphic objects.
WexTech Systems, Inc.
310 Madison Avenue, Suite 905
New York, NY 10071
Telephone: (800) 939-8324, (212) 949-9595
WinFax PRO 7.0 is a fax-management application that you can use in conjunction with a Visual C++ database application to create a fully automated fax transmission system integrated with other Windows applications, such as Word for Windows or Excel. You can use WinFax as a DDE fax server by executing Visual C++'s LinkPoke statement; the data argument consists of WinFax PRO's Recipient() function, which specifies the fax number and the other arguments needed to send a fax. Alternatively, you can manipulate WinFax PRO's dBASE IV-format phone book files as a Visual C++ Database object. The product includes a sample macro for Word for Windows that you can translate to Visual C++. WinFax PRO also includes an optical character recognition (OCR) feature that lets you convert the text of incoming or outgoing faxes to rich text format (.RTF) or ASCII text (.TXT) files.
Delrina (US) Corporation, San Jose—USA Sales and Operations
6320 San Ignacio Avenue
San Jose, CA 95119-1209
Telephone: (408) 363-2345
Sales telephone: (800) 268-6082
Fax: (408) 363-2340
Developers who include online help in their Access applications can choose from a variety of commercial Windows help-file authoring applications. Two of the leading products, each of which takes a different approach to help-file creation, are described in the sections that follow.
WexTech Systems' Doc-To-Help application is a collection of Word for Windows document templates (.DOT files) combined with a single Windows dynamic link library (DLL). Doc-To-Help lets you create electronic help files for an application from its formatted documentation. Although you can convert existing application manuals to Doc-To-Help's format, the most efficient use of the application requires that you first create the manuals yourself using Doc-To-Help's templates. When you complete your document, Doc-To-Help converts the document to an .RTF file and compiles the .RTF file to a Windows .HLP file. Using Doc-To-Help is one of the subjects of Chapter 22 and Chapter 23, "Creating Help Files for Database Applications."
Doc-To-Help 2.0 is available now, and Doc-To-Help 1.7 was supposed to be available in January of 1996. Doc-To-Help 1.7 is for Word for Windows 2.0 and 6.0 users who work in Windows 95 or Windows 3.1. Version 2.0 is for Word for Windows 7. Features new to version 1.7 include automatic generation of contents files (.CNT files); Doc-To-Help Navigator, video, and Watermark support for 32-bit WinHelp; Doc-To-Help Navigator support in author mode; and support for Windows 95 Help second-level indexes.
WexTech Systems, Inc.
310 Madison Avenue, Suite 905
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 949-9595
Fax: (212) 949-4007
Blue Sky Software's RoboHelp application, and its WinHelp Office product, are oriented to creating help files directly rather than from a preexisting application manual. Like Doc-To-Help, RoboHelp consists of Word for Windows templates and Windows DLLs. RoboHelp is less automatic in operation than Doc-To-Help, but RoboHelp lets you exercise more control over the individual elements of your help system, such as assigning special values to help context strings and ID numbers. RoboHelp is discussed in Chapter 23.
Blue Sky Software Corporation
7486 La Jolla Blvd., Suite 3
La Jolla, CA 92037-9582
Telephone: (800) 677-4946, (619) 459-6365
Fax: (619) 459-6366
SpellPro is a DLL that lets you include spell checking in your applications. A thesaurus is also available. This product works either as a DLL or as a VBX custom control.
MicroHelp, Inc.
4359 Shallowford Industrial Parkway
Marietta, GA 30066
Telephone: (404) 526-0898
Visual C++'s OLE controls let you display graphics or play sound and music from files. Although you can use Windows OLE server applets such as Paintbrush and Microsoft Draw to create graphics, professional-quality graphic applications created by such companies as Micrografx and Corel Systems provide a host of features that aren't included in the applets that accompany Windows and its mainstream applications. The multimedia OLE server applets, Sound Recorder and Media Player, are adequate for simple multimedia databases, but you need commercial multimedia toolkits when you want to control VCRs or laserdisc players from your Visual C++ application. The following sections describe representative commercial OLE server applications that you can use with Visual C++.
CorelDRAW! is the fifth iteration of a highly successful vector drawing application that is a favorite of graphic artists. CorelDRAW! 3.0 was the first of Corel Systems' products to bundle a suite of graphics applications, including a bitmapped image editor (Corel PhotoPaint), a presentation application (CorelSHOW!), and an image database (Corel Mosaic). CorelDRAW! 4.0 added CorelMOVE!, an application that you can use to animate and add sound to CorelDRAW! images. CorelDRAW! can import images in a variety of vector formats. The CD-ROM version of CorelDRAW! includes more than 250 TrueType fonts and several thousand clip-art objects. CorelDRAW! 6 might well hold the record for the largest distribution set. It comes on many CD-ROMs!
Corel Systems Corporation
1600 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 8R7
Telephone: (613) 728-8200
Fax: (613) 761-9176
Micrografx Designer is a vector image drawing application that is oriented toward technical illustration. This venerable Windows drawing product includes an updated user interface, improved color-separation capabilities, and a 32-bit graphics engine to speed the redrawing of images. Micrografx Windows DRAW! with OLE offers a subset of designer's capabilities at a substantially lower price. Both products can import and export vector image files in a variety of common formats.
Micrografx, Inc.
1303 Arapaho Road
Richardson, TX 75081
Telephone: (214) 234-1769
Sales telephone: (800) 671-0144
Fax: (214) 994-6475
MEDIADEVELOPER 2.0 provides the tools to quickly build multimedia applications. With virtually any Windows development environment and MEDIADEVELOPER, you can write interactive multimedia programs that play video, animation, graphics, and audio. You can even build applications that interface with camcorders, laserdisc players, and VCRs. MEDIADEVELOPER supports thumbnails and "hot spots," unique media segmenting, and continuous-play universal media format. VBX, OLE 2.0 Automation Server, C++ libraries, and DLL packages are available.
Lenel Systems International, Inc.
290 Woodcliff Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450-4212
Telephone: (716) 248-9720
Fax: (716) 248-9185
Micrografx's Picture Publisher 3.1 is a full-featured, OLE 1.0-compliant image-editing application for full-color (16-bit) and high-color (24-bit) bitmapped image files. Picture Publisher is one of the few image editing applications that is directly compatible with images stored in Kodak's PhotoCD file format (.PCD). You can use Picture Publisher 3.0 to embed or link images stored in a variety of compression formats, such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group—.JPG—format).
Micrografx, Inc.
1303 Arapaho Road
Richardson, TX 75081
Telephone: (214) 234-1769
Sales telephone: (800) 671-0144
Fax: (214) 994-6475
Visio is an OLE-compliant, stencil-based drawing application that uses drag-and-drop techniques to simplify the creation of the most common types of drawings and illustrations required for business communication. Visio 2.0, introduced in October 1993, was the first retail software product to fully implement OLE 2.0 and OLE Automation.
Visio Corporation
520 Pike Street, Suite 1800
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: (206) 521-4500
Fax: (206) 521-4501
Customer service telephone: (800) 24-VISIO, (716) 586-0030
Customer service fax: (716) 586-0820
Customer service e-mail: csdirect@visio.com
Technical support telephone: (206) 521-4600
Technical support fax: (206) 521-4601
Fax information system: (206) 521-4550
Pre-sales technical information: (206) 521-4750
As the first company to ship document-imaging solutions based on Microsoft Windows NT, Watermark has the largest installed base of imaging users for this platform. The company's Enterprise Edition software for Microsoft Windows NT Server was named "Outstanding New Product" at the 1995 Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) show. FileNet supports UNIX, Windows, Windows NT, OS/2, and NetWare. The Windows NT Server version of FileNet's WorkFlo Business System software, which began shipping in early 1996, is compatible with all other versions of the company's software.
Watermark Software, Inc.
129 Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington, MA 01803
Telephone: (617) 229-2600
Fax: (617) 229-2989
One of the measures of the success of a PC application is the number of periodicals that cover the use of the application exclusively or that devote a substantial portion of their editorial content to it. The following sections describe periodicals that are of special interest to users of either Visual C++ or Access.
Access/Visual Basic Advisor is written by developers for developers. It helps you understand and use the best designs, tools, techniques, add-ons, and management and business practices to implement strong solutions. This publication is very useful for Visual C++ programmers who aren't fluent in various Access techniques. Even though this publication is oriented toward Visual Basic, the Visual C++ programmer can gather useful information from it.
The practical "how-to" information in each issue will save you hours, days, even weeks of programming time. It's essential reading for developers who use Access, Visual Basic, Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Schedule+), BackOffice (SQL Server), Project, Exchange, OLE Controls, OLE Automation, Visual Basic for Applications, and the many third-party products that integrate with Microsoft's products.
An optional companion resource disk is available with every issue. It contains source code, support files, databases, program objects, samples, utilities, and more, all in ready-to-use electronic format.
Other Advisor publications include the following:
Data Based Advisor: The authority on all areas of database and client-server Windows application development and management. Relied on by professional developers since 1983. Companion resource disks and complete CD-ROMs are available.
Internet Advisor: The technical magazine for designing and building online integrated applications of all types, including those for the World Wide Web, commercial services, private and internal "intranet" networks, multimedia, and CDs. Companion resource disks are available.
Access/Visual Basic Advisor: The only technical magazine devoted to building solutions with the full range of Microsoft's business development software: Access, Visual Basic, Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Schedule+), BackOffice (SQL Server), Project, Exchange, OLE Automation, OLE Controls, and Visual Basic for Applications. Companion resource disks and complete CD-ROMs are available.
Lotus Notes Advisor: The only magazine serving Lotus Notes application developers, managers, and users worldwide, with "how to" technical guidance, design and deployment advice, reviews of Notes-related products, and management insights. Companion resource disks and complete CD-ROMs are available.
PowerBuilder Advisor: The comprehensive technical guide to building client-server database applications with PowerBuilder and related products and technologies. Companion resource disks are available.
FoxPro Advisor: Exclusively for developing database applications with Microsoft Visual FoxPro and FoxPro 2.x. Advisor has been the source of FoxPro technical guidance since 1984. Companion resource disks and complete CD-ROMs are available.
Visual Objects Advisor: The only magazine dedicated to creating superior client-server business applications with Computer Associates' CA-Visual Objects. Companion resource disks are available.
Advisor Communications International, Inc.
4010 Morena Blvd., Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92117
Telephone: (800) 336-6060, (619) 483-6400
Fax: (619) 483-9851
Smart Access is a monthly newsletter directed at Access developers and power users. Articles cover a variety of advanced topics, ranging from relational database design to using the Windows API functions in Access Basic. Because Smart Access is aimed at independent and in-house developers, many of its articles are devoted to runtime Access and the Access Distribution Kit. A diskette that includes sample databases, Access libraries, and related files accompanies each issue. Smart Access also offers a variety of tips and techniques for writing more effective macros and Access Basic code. You can import many of the code examples into Visual C++ forms and modules. The magazine's parent company, Pinnacle Publishing, Inc., publishes a variety of journals on other database applications. This publication is useful to Visual C++ programmers who are planning to develop Access-based applications or who want to improve their Access skills.
Pinnacle Publishing
18000 72nd Avenue South, Suite 217
Kent, WA 98032
Telephone: (800) 788-1900, (206) 251-1900
Fax: (206) 251-5057
Visual C++ Professional is a monthly journal for professional Visual C++ users. It provides information about MFC, C++, and Win32 application development.
Oakley Publishing Company
P. O. Box 70087
Eugene, OR 97401-0143
Telephone: (800) 234-0368
Fax: (503) 746-0071
The magazines listed in this section are devoted to the general topic of client-server and desktop database design, performance, and front-end applications. Also included in this section are descriptions of two newsletters that provide valuable background on and forecasts for Windows and its applications.
Database Programming and Design magazine is directed toward users of mainframe database products, as well as users of client-server RDBMSs running on minicomputers, RISC workstations, and 80x86-based PCs in enterprise-wide computing environments. This publication is useful for Visual C++ programmers who are working on client-server database systems.
Database Programming and Design
Miller-Freeman, Inc.
600 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Telephone: (800) 269-0169, (303) 447-9330
DBMS, another Miller-Freeman publication, primarily covers the field of PC and workstation client-server computing, although it also covers stand-alone desktop database applications such as dBASE, Paradox, and FoxPro. DBMS is published 13 times per year. (A DBMS Buyer's Guide issue is published each June.) This publication is useful for Visual C++ programmers who are working on PC-based desktop database systems.
DBMS Magazine
Miller-Freeman, Inc.
411 Borel Ave., Suite 100
San Mateo, CA 94402
Telephone: (800) 456-1859, (303) 447-9330
Fax: (415) 905-2233
Microsoft Directions is a monthly newsletter published by former Microsoft executives who claim to have "extensive organizational contacts" within Microsoft. Each month, Microsoft Directions features in-depth articles focusing on one or two aspects of Microsoft's product strategy.
Redmond Communications, Inc.
15127 N.E. 24th Street, Suite 293
Redmond, WA 98052
Telephone: (206) 882-3396
Fax: (206) 644-7670
SQL Forum magazine's subhead reads "The Journal for the International SQL Server Community." SQL Forum is a bimonthly journal that has Microsoft and Sybase as corporate sponsors. SQL Forum features in-depth analysis of the technical aspects of SQL Server. For example, the May/June 1993 issue was devoted entirely to analyses and performance reviews of SQL Server for Windows NT.
SQL Forum
P.O. Box 240
Lynnwood, WA 98046-0240
Telephone: (206) 382-6607
Jesse Berst's (now Ziff-Davis's) Windows Watcher was the first monthly newsletter devoted to analyzing and forecasting trends in the Windows "industry." A subscription to Windows Watcher is indispensable if you want to keep up-to-date on the peregrinations of Microsoft's development programs for future versions of Windows and Windows applications. Windows Watcher provides lists of important Windows applications in the development stage ("Product Watch"), as well as popularity charts of Windows products that are based on North American and European sales by major software distributors ("Sales Watch").
Windows Watcher
15127 N.E. 24th St., Suite 344
Redmond, WA 98052
Telephone: (800) 553-4386, (206) 881-7354
Fax: (206) 883-1452
Many programmers and software developers who have access to the Internet can use the World Wide Web (WWW) to access information and support. Many companies offer Internet support, including (but not limited to) the following:
Microsoft Corporation (www.microsoft.com)
IBM Corporation (www.ibm.com)
Generally, to find the WWW page for a company, you should first try www.company.com, where company is the company name. For example, www.lotus.com is the home page for Lotus Development Corporation.
The Internet is growing and maturing at a fantastic rate. There are many excellent books on the Internet. Checking Macmillan's home page will show you which titles are available. Searching for a product or company is another way to locate products and companies. Searches are usually done using one of the popular search engines, such as Yahoo, Excite, Infoseek, Lycos, or Magellan. If you're using Microsoft's Internet Explorer, simply click the search button on the toolbar to go to the http://www.msn.com/access/allinone.hv1 search page.
A typical search would be to look for a company name, a product name, or some other word that you think is relatively unique to that company. A poorly designed search will return hundreds of possible matches, indicating that your search criteria is too broad. For example, searching for the word "Microsoft" wouldn't be wise. There are literally hundreds of thousands of matches for "Microsoft." On the other hand, a search for "Lifeboat Publishing" would find a reasonable number of matches, the first of which probably would be the one you were searching for.
NOTE
Searches are based on databases of information contained in pages on the Web. Most search engines routinely search the Web, finding new and changed pages and building keyword indexes.
NOTE
How good are search engines? When I searched for my name, "Hipson," the search engine found not only my Web pages, but also all the pages that had links to me—as well as a real estate company in Dublin, Ireland. Not bad—even I didn't know about the real estate company!
Microsoft Jet Database Engine Programmer's Guide (Microsoft Press, 1996), by Dan Haught and Jim Ferguson, takes the programmer through the basics of the Microsoft Jet database engine and on to advanced topics. This book includes a CD-ROM that contains an online version of the book, code samples, and other valuable materials.
The primary sources of technical support for Visual C++ database developers are the Microsoft-sponsored forums on CompuServe. Microsoft product support specialists (PSSs) answer developers' and end users' questions about Visual C++ and related Microsoft products. Developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) are regular participants in these forums. Data Based Advisor and DBMS magazines sponsor forums that cover a wide range of database-related topics. If you don't have a CompuServe account, call CompuServe at (800) 848-8199 for a sign-up package.
In addition to a membership in CompuServe, you'll need a modem, a CompuServe access program (such as WinCIM), and the current version of PKWare's PKUNZIP.EXE application (or WinZip) to expand the files you download that are archived (compressed). Most archived files have an extension of .ZIP, although some archived files are available as self-extracting archive files with the extension .EXE. When you execute a self-extracting archive file, the file expands the individual files that it contains. Most archive files include one or more text files that document the contents of the archive and tell how to use the application contained in the archive.
The current version of the PKZIP utilities is available in Library 15 of the MSACCESS forum in the form of a self-extracting file, PK204G.EXE. The PKZIP utilities are shareware; if you use the PKZIP utilities you download, you're obligated to pay the registration and license fee specified by PKWare. The WinCIM program is available from CompuServe and other sources. It's sometimes distributed as an attachment to magazines and may be mailed free to CompuServe customers. You can reach CompuServe using a terminal program, but CompuServe is phasing out this support in an attempt to improve its system's efficiency. The Visual C++ 4 distribution CD has a copy of WinCIM. However, at the time this book was written, this version was out of date.
Microsoft's Client-Server Computing forum (GO MSNET) is directed toward users of Microsoft LAN Manager and its extensions. This forum incorporates support for Windows NT Server.
Advisor Communications International, Inc. sponsors the Data Based Advisor forum (GO DBA), a forum devoted to database topics. Library 14 of the DBA forum is devoted to Microsoft Access. Many of the applications described in Access Advisor magazine are available for downloading from the DBA forum.
DBMS magazine operates the DBMS forum (GO DBMS), which covers topics of general interest to database developers. Client-server database systems and SQL topics receive the emphasis in this forum.
The EMS C/C++ Utility Library is a collection of all freely distributable (public domain, freeware, shareware, contribution requested, demo code, and so on) source code, utilities, and applications for PC C/C++ developers. A directory database accompanying the library is a dBASE-compatible .DBF file with a DOS search program. The database also lists all existing commercial products for one-stop shopping for all existing C/C++ tools. The directory database and library are updated at least every two months. C/C++ Users Journal (February 1995) called it "a comprehensive collection for one-stop shopping." In the May 1991 issue of PC World, Tom Swan said he was "impressed with this one's quality" and that "the EMS library is a bargain hunter's dream." He went on to include extracts from the library to accompany his book Learning C++.
EMS Professional Shareware Libraries
4505 Buckhurst Court
Olney, MD 20832
Telephone: (301) 924-3594
Fax: (301) 963-2708
Independent software vendors (ISVs) have their own sections of the Windows Vendors forums, coordinated by Microsoft. At the time this book was written, there were several ISV forums. Intersolv Software, for example, supports its ODBC drivers in the WINVEN D forum. Type GO WINVEN and then select the number corresponding to the forum you want to explore.
NOTE
Forums on CompuServe change frequently. As a vendor becomes larger and more successful, the increased traffic warrants the creation of a new forum. If information for a vendor isn't where you expected it, check to see if the vendor has moved to a private forum.
Macmillan Computer Publishing, the parent organization of Sams Publishing, sponsors a CompuServe forum (GO MACMILLAN or GO PHCP). This forum provides information on books published by MCP subsidiaries under the imprints of Sams Publishing, Sams.net, Que, New Riders, Hayden, BradyGAMES, and Ziff-Davis Press. The libraries include lists of books available from MCP, tables of contents, sample chapters, sample files, sample programs, and other material extracted from MCP books. The message sections and libraries of the MCP forum are organized as shown in Table A.1.
| LibraryNumber | Library Name | Subject Matter |
| 1 | General Library | Files of general interest |
| 2 | What's New | New stuff for this forum |
| 3 | Graphics & DTP | Files related to graphics and desktop publishing |
| 4 | Database | Files related to databases |
| 5 | Spreadsheets | Files related to spreadsheets |
| 6 | Operating Systems | File related to operating systems |
| 7 | Networking & Comms | Files related to networking and communications |
| 8 | CAD | Files related to computer-aided design |
| 9 | Programming | Files related to programming |
| 10 | Games | Files related to games |
| 11 | Utilities | General utility files |
| 12 | Macintosh | Apple Macintosh files |
| 13 | Multimedia | Files related to multimedia |
| 14 | Windows & Utilities | Various Windows and Windows utility files |
| 15 | News Releases | Various MCP news releases |
| 16 | Que Software | Software from Que Software |
| 17 | The Internet | Internet-related topics |
| 18 | Sample Chapt./TOCs | Sample chapters and tables of contents |
| 19 | Word Processing | Files related to word processing |
| 20 | Windows 95 | Items related to Windows 95 |
The Microsoft Access forum (GO MSACCESS) is one of the most active product-support forums on CompuServe. The files that you can download include sample databases and Access libraries created by Microsoft and independent Access developers and consultants, as well as end users of Access applications. You can import much of the code contained in Access modules into Visual C++ database applications using the techniques described in Chapter 18, "Translating Visual Basic and Visual Basic for Applications Code to Visual C++." You can download current versions of the Access-specific Windows dynamic link libraries (DLLs) that are described in this book from one of the 15 libraries of the MSACCESS forum.
Microsoft sponsors the Microsoft Developer Network forum on CompuServe (GO MSDNLIB) and at the WWW URL http://198.105.232.6/devonly/. It contains more than 300 technical articles and sample applications, primarily related to Microsoft Windows and Windows NT. The MSDNLIB forum is part of the Microsoft Developer Network for Windows that is now the company's primary means of distributing support for developers of Windows applications. Membership in the Microsoft Developer Network includes a quarterly CD-ROM containing documentation and code examples for Windows and Win32s applications, plus Microsoft's mainstream Windows applications.
To obtain more information about the Microsoft Developer Network and the Microsoft Access Developer Program, call Microsoft Developer Services at (800) 227-4679. Membership in the Level I program costs $295. Levels II and III are more expensive.
The Microsoft Knowledge Base (GO MSKB) is a database of technical publications, bug reports, workarounds, and press releases on Microsoft products. You can search for the latest tips on making better use of Visual C++ by specifying Visual C++ as the product name and searching with the keywords that specify the topic you're interested in. You can download sample applications that MSKB articles refer to from the Microsoft Software Library (GO MSL).
The Microsoft MFC forum (GO MSMFC) is the main forum that supports the Microsoft Foundation Classes. This forum is the first place to go when you have questions or problems that are directly related to using MFC.
Substantial peer group support is generated in this and many other Microsoft forums. Posting a question often results in a quick response from other users.
The Microsoft SNA Server forum (GO MSSNA) provides support for IBM mainframe and AS/400 connectivity using protocols supported by SNA Server.
The Microsoft SQL Server forum (GO MSSQL) is devoted to Microsoft SQL Server for Windows NT.
The Microsoft Workgroup Applications forum (GO MSWGA) covers Microsoft Mail, Schedule+, gateways for connecting to MS Mail and other e-mail systems, and Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer for creating transportable e-forms. You can download the current version of the Microsoft Workgroup Templates from this forum.
Section 10 of the Windows Extensions forum (GO WINEXT) provides technical support for the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) API. As Microsoft adds its own certified drivers to extend ODBC connectivity to new database applications, the drivers often are posted to Library 10 of the WINEXT forum. Microsoft supports third-party ODBC driver developers in this forum; read the messages in Section 10 to keep abreast of the new ODBC drivers under development by Microsoft, RDBMS publishers, and other independent software vendors.
The Visual C++ forum (GO MSLANG) is the main forum that supports Visual C++. This forum is the first place to go when you have questions or problems that are directly related to the Visual C++ product.
Substantial peer group support is generated in this and many other Microsoft forums. Posting a question often results in a quick response from other users.
The Windows SDK forum (GO WINSDK) is designed to support developers writing 16-bit Windows applications in C, C++, and Visual C++. The Microsoft Win32 SDK for NT forum (GO MSWIN32) supports developers who are developing 32-bit applications using Visual C++.
The Windows for Workgroups forum (GO MSWRKG) has a variety of sections that cover peer-to-peer networking and the applets that accompany Windows for Workgroups, such as Schedule+ and Microsoft Mail. Support for the API functions that you can use to create an interface between Access applications, Schedule+ (SP), and Microsoft Mail (MAPI) now appears in this forum.
Microsoft provides support for users of Windows NT and its 32-bit Win 32s applications in the Windows NT forum (GO WINNT). The WINNT forum also includes updated information on the features of other applications for Windows NT (such as the SNA Server for Windows NT), bug fixes, and tools. The majority of the documentation files in this forum are in Word for Windows format.
Developers of 32-bit Win32s applications for use under Windows 3.1 with the 32-bit extensions and Windows NT receive technical support in this forum.
Table A.2 lists CompuServe's most popular forums for developers.
| Microsoft Developer Knowledge Base | GO MDKB |
| Microsoft Software Library (search for support by product) | GO MSL |
| Microsoft Developer Network Forum | GO MSDN |
| Microsoft Basic Forum | GO MSBASIC |
| Microsoft Access Forum | GO MSACCESS |
| Microsoft Languages Forum | GO MSLANG |
| Microsoft Foundation Classes Forum | GO MSMFC |
| Microsoft FoxPro Forum | GO FOXFORUM |
| Microsoft Fox Users Forum | GO FOXUSER |
| Microsoft Visual FoxPro Forum | GO VFOX |
| Microsoft Windows SDK Forum | GO WINSDK |
| Microsoft Win32 SDK for NT Forum | GO MSWIN32 |
| Microsoft Windows International Developer's Forum | GO WINTLDEV |
| Microsoft Windows Extensions Forum | GO WINEXT |
| Microsoft Windows Objects Forum | GO WINOBJECTS |
| Microsoft OLE Industry Solutions Forum | GO OLESOLNS |
| Microsoft Programming Applications Forum | GO PROGMSA |
| Microsoft Windows Multimedia Developer Forum | GO WINMM |
| Windows Components A Forum | GO COMPA |
| Windows Components B Forum | GO COMPB |
| Windows Connectivity Forum | GO WINCON |
| Windows Networking A Forum | GO WINETA |
Microsoft offers the Developer's Connection on the Internet at WWW URL http://198.105.232.6/devonly/. This WWW page offers links to various areas where developers can obtain support, query the Microsoft Knowledge Base, and obtain information from Microsoft.
Microsoft also maintains the MSN (Microsoft Network) on the Internet at http://www.msn.com/. This is primarily a user-oriented system, but a number of useful features are available to developers at this site.
This category includes tools that are used in the development or debugging cycle but aren't actually incorporated into your products.
Bounds Checker is an automated tool that helps developers check for a wide number of possible error conditions. Bounds Checker checks problems such as array overwrites, memory leaks, and parameter errors to Windows functions. Bounds Checker has very tight integration with Visual C++ 4. Microsoft used it to help debug Visual C++.
Nu-Mega Technologies, Inc.
P.O. Box 7790
Nashua, NH 03060-7780
Telephone: (603) 889-2386
Fax: (603) 889-1135
WinMaker Pro 6.0 is a prototyper and C/C++ code generator for both Windows 95 and Windows NT. You can create full-featured MFC, OWL, and ANSI C 32-bit Windows applications by using an easy-to-use interface. This product can be most helpful for programmers who (for various reasons) must create non-C++ applications and who don't want to write their applications from scratch.
Blue Sky Software Corporation
7486 La Jolla Blvd., Suite 3
La Jolla, CA 92037-9582
Telephone: (800) 677-4946, (619) 459-6365
Fax: (619) 459-6366
