From: Clayton.Andrews@f115.n7102.z5.fidonet.org (Clayton Andrews)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.pascal
Subject: turbo vision
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 11:54:00 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 5:7102/115 - Integrated Systems, CT

Bill Romano

I was very interested in your program TVBEGIN, and was relieved to see that
I am not the only person who finds that the benefits of Turbo Vision are
enormous. I'm sure you will agree that Turbo Vision definitely is a powerful
application generation tool.

When I first started to experiment with TV, I thought that it wasn't worth
the enormous amount of time it takes to learn and understand TV.
Since then however, I have been using it more frequently and have found that
a complete application can take as little as a week to complete!
(Help text included)

My approach: Made units containing descendent object types.
             Added special features to descendents.
             Got object-orientated file handler.

Stage 1: Plan procedural layout and functionality.
         Plan user-interface.
         Decide on input-controls.

Stage 2: Design DataBase (Field lengths & Data Types).
         Create all input screens. (DLGDSN)
         Create application framework. (SHAZAM)

Stage 3: Write code for procedures.
         Link files to input screens.

Stage 4: Test program rigorously.
         Input test data.
         Produce printed output (If Required)
         Write and compile help text. (TVHC)


Given you obvious ability, I presume you are familiar with the program
names above. Since you have not included any help, I must presume you
are not familiar with the operation of TVHC.

Although I can appreciate the amount of time and effort you must have put into
TVBEGIN, I feel compelled to tell you a little about the above programs:

DLGDSN - (C) David Baldwin
         An excellent dialog design toolkit that implements a WYSIWYG
         user-interface. You design the dialog on-screen, and once you are
         satisfied, select the 'Write Source' option.
         Allows the user to enter: Static Text, RadioButtons, Buttons,
         CheckBoxes, InputLines, Labels and ListBoxes.
         You can also set the help-context of each object, and the
         pointer names.
         The source-code also includes the DATAREC.

       * Dialog Boxes can be written directly to a resource file.
       * You can TRY the operation of the Dialog at any stage during
         the design process.
       * The 'Order Mode' allows you to set the order in which the
         user will Tab to each object.

SHAZAM - (C) Jonathan Stein
         Complete application generator for Turbo Vision. Allows you
         to quickly and simply design and generate your user interface.
         Using this program is extremely simple, but the power that it
         provides is astronomical.
         All you are required to do is write a short .DEF (Definition) file,
         and SHAZAM will generate all the necessary code to create your
         application.

       * Using my 386, the total time to generate and compile using the /b
         (Build) compiler option, was ...... 12 secs!
       * When creating the .DEF file, you can design context-sensitive status
         lines, set hot-keys, design nested menus and even link in your
         custom written procedures.
       * By the way, SHAZAM also generates and compiles help text.


TVHC   - (C) Borland International
         Turbo Vision Help Compiler comes with the original TP6 Disks.
         Designed specifically to allow the programmer to write help
         text for applications.
       * Note: You don't have to recompile your program to change the
         help text, as this is compile and stored in a Stream.


Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I would appreciate it if you
would reply to this letter, telling me more about your plans for future
programs. (I plan to write an improved version of DLGDSN)

If you have not heard of, or used, the above programs, I would be more
that willing to let you have them, as I am sure you will realise the
amazing power they provide the TV programmer.

By the way, are you aware of any User Groups for TV or TP in Cape Town?
As I am not a member of CompuServe, please leave me a note on any
major CT bulletin board.

GREAT PROGRAM !

Clayton Andrews
(021) 553-2510 (Home)

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