VB Shell Programming: Integrating Applications with the Windows Shell
Windows users take advantage of shell extensions on the desktop every  single day, but understanding what they are and how to program with them can be  tricky and, until now anyway, usually required the use of Visual C++. Filled  with expert knowledge of the underlying Windows shell COM objects,Visual  Basic Shell Programmingis all that you need to write shell-enabled  applications that look more professional, as well as rival the functionality of  programs that are written in C++.First and foremost, this efficiently packaged text is a reference to all of the  COM objects and APIs that are needed to program with the Windows shell  successfully. Each section is organized by topic, with an explanation of what  kind of functionality you can add, and then all of the COM objects, methods, and  constants that you'll need to use in VB, along with sample code. For many of the  examples, a custom file extension (.rad) illustrates how to integrate this file  into the desktop, and extend what it can do within the Windows desktop.Reading this book is also an education in the features that the Windows shell  actually offers. For example, you'll learn how to add dynamic, context-sensitive  menus to desktop icons, and drag-and-drop processing and custom property sheets  that pop up on the desktop.Later sections turn to the Internet, with browser extensions, which can  customize the look and feel of Internet Explorer (and File Explorer). One sample  presents the code for a Web site crawler, which automatically downloads a group  of files. Throughout, the book is careful to point out those features that are  easy to do in VB and those that require advanced programming techniques.  (Generally speaking, there's a lot of VB expertise on display here.) The author  provides a custom COM type library for exposing all of the shell functionality  to VB programmers. Of course, you can use this file to develop your own VB shell  applications.Overall, this book helps explain a rather difficult topic in Windows  programming, and makes accessible for the very first time this exciting area of  functionality to experienced VB programmers. ReadVisual Basic Shell  Programmingto create applications that both are more professional looking  and take full advantage of every available feature in today's Windows desktop.--Richard DraganTopics covered:Introduction to Visual Basic and the Windows  shellCOM basics (including type libraries,IUnknown, andIDispatch)Introduction to shell extensionsContext menu handlers  (static and dynamic)Icon and property-sheet handlersDrop handlers (and  drag-and-drop processing)Data handlersCopy hook handlersInfoTiphandlersBasics of namespace extensionsPointer to  identifier list (PIDL)Browser extensionsBrowser help objectsBand  objectsSample code for a Web site crawlerDocking WindowsVBShell  (custom type library for letting VB programmers access shell objects)Reference material on all Windows shell COM objects and APIsTechniques  for copying memory and using pointers within VB