yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] StevePritchard:
I know this is off-topic, but as a Basic-->TurboPascal-->Visual Basic-->Delphi-->More Visual Basic-->C++-->Even more Visual Basic-->c# programmer (with a smidgeon of Cobol and Java thrown in for good measure) my feeling is that most languages are pretty much the same. They tend to have similar constructs and stuff (variables, objects, loops etc) and the thing that tends to differentiate them is syntax and the function libraries available.

Calling the API has always been fun - you feel like you are pushing the envelope further than you perhaps should. Bottom line is though, you've got to use what you know to get the job done. People like Vijay who are willing (and able) to put the time in should be congratulated in their efforts, and I'm sure it's appreciated by both those who benefit directly, and those of us who have a better understanding of the challenges you face.

I don't think that VB->C++ was that hard for me - I was using forms as objects in VB3. I really like c# as a language though - maybe a few advantages over VB, and a bit more readable than c++ was to me. However, the compact framework is a bit like a set of handcuffs to the desktop programmer when you find a whole host of stuff missing, and the runtime is a big ask for v2.0 (hopefully it will find itself into ROM soon). I wish I had more time to delve deeper.

Basically, this waffle can be summarised into "keep up the good work, it's appreciated". :D

Cheers,

Steve.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] TheBlasphemer:
Heh, I'll let you guys in on a secret: I started in VB too (hell, I've even used QBasic in DOS, and even BASIC on an Apple ][!)

I do agree with Edgar Dijkstra though, as basic has a lot of dirty syntax things that differ a lot from other languages. Look at Java, look at C, look at C#, PHP, or other languages and you'll see that basic is actually very different. That different syntax can cause a lot of bad-behaviour in "good" programming languages ;)

Anyway, You're not mentally mutilated for life, just for like a few years :P

I've started C++ like 4 years ago, 3 years later I started x86 ASM debugging (and some minor cracking *grin*), and now after 4 years of experience I think I can safely say all basic has been driven from my mind ;) (If you don't count the occasional math-app in TI-Basic)

Anyway, I planned to do my first hack or program for the PPC about today or tomorrow, but my (watercooled) PC decided against it and started leaking :( It leaked before, PC-Store fixed it, got it back 2 days ago, now leaking again, yay... anyway, no more own PC till wednesday :(

Aaaanyway, enough off-topic rambling :P

vijay555, hurry up with the torchlight before I get my PC back and start my journey to ARM-ASM learning (offtopic: DAMN ARM-ASM is different from x86-ASM!) ;) I might beat you to it! (mwuhahaha, let's make this a challenge to get him to hurry up :P)

Alright, alright, I'll stop the offtopic rambling... honest!

EDIT:

StevePritchard, the fact that you decided to move back to a high-level language like VB and C# tells me you never really mastered C++ :P (well, at least not the core ;))

Little quiz:

- What's a pointer ?

- What's the difference between __stdcall, __cdecl, and __fastcall (not really C, but you should know anyway ;))

- Can you create a fully functional app without the use of MFC or ATL? (Not saying you should, but if you know C++, you can do without those ;))
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] lbendlin:
Vijay,

let me know if I can help. I have done a number of native Win32 apps (no MFC, ATL, or .Not) using some very obscure API calls and have also some background on UI design and internationalisation/localisation. (search Handango for ScreenShotCE if you need a reference)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] TheBlasphemer:
That's the way, aha aha, I like it, aha aha! :P

No more .NET! To hell with MFC! Screw ATL!

Just learn the basic Win32 API calls, lazy MFC/ATL/NET biatches! ;)

I'm proud to have never used ANY of that crap in any serious projects, EVER! :P
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] StevePritchard:
Ok, I'm gonna crash and burn here...

Pointer - it's a variable that represents a place in memory. So if I have a pointer to a string, then I can change the pointer's value to a different place in memory and get a whole new string without the overhead of copying a big string from one place to another.

__stdcall, __cdecl, and __fastcall - they are calling conventions to do with how methods/routines are called. Probaby something to do with whether the parameters go on stacks or heaps or something. I think __cdecl is the default, and seem to remember __stdcall is used for API, but I couldn't write an essay on the differences.

An app without MFC or ATL - no, probably not. In fact definitely not. It's just too much effort.

My C++ was pretty much limited to a piece of software called "Smart Security" which I wrote - search for "Smart Security 2000" in Google, and you'll get a few hits. It was picked up by a few Corporates at the time, but I've not done anything else in C++ since.

Cheers,

Steve.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] lbendlin:
erm... not exactly. different place in memory - yes, but pointers have not much to do with string copying.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] StevePritchard:
No, I know that pointers don't have anything to do with string copying, I was giving an example of how they might be used. Basically a pointer is a reference to a place in memory. When cast as a pointer of an appropriate type, it can be used as a reference to a value of that type - the reason you might want to do this is that it can be very efficient (hence my string example).

Cheers,

Steve.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] simon_darley:
Ladies

I hate to be a spoil sport n all, and realise that you guys are having a good ol catch up, but I keep getting emails about more posts and topics on this forum and every time I get here I hope to find that Vjay has released the product and we can have a $1500 torch.

Alas, everytime I arrive you guys are talking about your programming experience.

May I suggest, if I am not being an antagonist, and not upsetting this wonderful community spirit and forum of the joing of minds.... that we keep the topic on the torch...

To facilitate this process and assist in this joining of minds that you are undergoing, I have opened a special forum topic just for you so that you may use that as a medium for communicating

http://xdaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=231046#231046

Now Vjay, how is the torch going??? I really want to give you some money.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Thanks Simon. I was quite enjoying the programming distraction, spoil sport :)

I'm working on a GUI as indicated above. I'm aiming to get a prelim release ready over the weekend. TFI Friday!

Initial release will just do the job. Bells and whistles can come later as feature requests... I'm more then happy to add anything sensible - but later. I hate doing GUIs :(

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] tbhausen:
My vote: Simple and functional is best. Again I will be happy to test on Apache (and still willing to pay reasonable fee for it--not angling to get it free as following this saga I can see you've earned it).

Todd/Indy
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] TheBlasphemer:
If you can get a copy of the Camera.exe and HTCCamera1.dll, or a ROM, I think either me or vijay555 could figure out if the tool would work on your device :)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Guys, I've posted the app here.

It's completely unrestricted. But remember, if you can afford to, and want to, please make a donation to help me with future developments.

I've indicated in the above thread how you can use the torch in your own apps.

I'm grateful to TheBlasphemer, who also figured this out a day or so ago, for being magnanimous and letting me release my bells and whistles version first. It was a pain to do all the graphics.

I hate doing GUIs :(

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] darkblak:
You Star! Thank you. Downloading now.

EDIT: Just one problem - in that I had to edit the registry key SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shell\Keys\40C8\default as there was an open " missing from the start of the line.

It doesn't seem to like being installed to the storage card - but I've plenty of free space in the onboard storage and it's fine there.

Works OK - don't know if it's me or not but sems to like the button being held a little longer before it turns the torch off.

Very impressed. Consider a donation made!
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] tbhausen:
Tested on Apache

First, thank you for this as I know it's been hard work. VJCandela works great on my Apache (PPC-6700) as a stand-alone app. I'll post a heads-up to PDAPhone.com 6700 forum. I hope the users will be very good to you there ;)

I'm less sure about the hardware key add-on. The Apache is a bit different in that its power key has a press-and-hold backlight toggle function by default. I installed the CAB and went to the "Buttons" dialog and found an additional "Button Light" entry in the "Button" column at the bottom of the list (it has the same icon as the "camera" button, which is button 3 on the Apache and seems to only have "press-and-hold" functionality. I'm not sure how to set this up to test--should VJCandela be running first, or not? And what do I assign from the Programs list to enable "press-and-hold" torch? If I navigate to VJCandela HW in the Programs, Vijay555 folder and invoke it, the torch comes on immediately--is this expected behavior?

I realize I'm probably admitting I'm a "bit over my head" with the questions, but I need some training ;)

I'll be sending a little reward your way very soon!

Todd/Indy
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] tbhausen:
Heads-Up Posted on PDAPhone.com PPC/XV6700 Forum

Here's what I posted in PDAPhone.com:

http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/showpost.php?p=482949&postcount=23

Please let me know if this is OK or you want any editing. I hope you get many donations!

Pretty cool that I started that thread back in October and here it is--you rock, dude!

Todd/Indy
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
tbhausen: many thanks, your post is perfect.

The hardware key cab is specific to the Universal, as indicated on my webpage, but I've posted the relevant key for Universal users to set it up themselves.

Follow the same idea and set up a key on your apache, and I'll post the code on my webpage.

On the Universal I'm using this:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shell\Keys\40C8]
"BtnWnd"=dword:00000000
"Default"=""\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\vijay555\VJCandela\VJCandela HW.lnk""
"Flags"=dword:00000000
"Icon"="\windows\Camera.exe, 0"
"Name"="Button Light"
"ResetCmd"=""\Windows\AppButtons\Camera.lnk""
"WndCls"=""

This was exported directly from my Universal, but I think CabManager has fits with some "".

The hardware key mode is -hwkey. Set up a shortcut to this version, and assign that to a hardware key. Basically all this does is enable the torch, and keep it on until you release the hardware key. Then it disables it and quits.

darkblak: it can install anywhere, but you have to manually edit the shortcuts because of the stupid way I pack the shortcuts into the cab - I need to make a custom installer but haven't had time yet :( This is particularly true for non English OSi.

Thanks to all who tried it :)

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] zachary.deponch:
My small contribution to this thread, for French users ...

To enable the hardware key, I made the following steps:

1- Create a shortcut in "\Windows\BoutonsApp" folder

Name: torch.lnk

Target: "\Program Files\Vijay555\VJCandela\VJCandela.exe"

2- Update the Registery, this is an Export of my registery key

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shell\Keys\40C8]

@="\"\\Windows\\Menu Démarrer\\Programmes\\vijay555\\VJCandela\\VJCandela HW.lnk\""

"ResetCmd"="\\Windows\\BoutonsApp\\torch.lnk"

"WndCls"=""

"Name"="Button Light"

"Icon"="\\windows\\Camera.exe, 0"

"Flags"=dword:00000000

"BtnWnd"=dword:00000000

Hope this helps,

Zak.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] SiliconS:
vijay: cool app. Good work! Your meteoric rise from the XDA Dev ranks to deity is almost complete. Your congregation's chants of 'Sihaya' are now just becoming audible... ;)

I tested Candela last night and mapped it to the backlight button on my Exec, and it works well. Whether by luck or judgement, it works as press-and-hold by default (which is perfect for me) but I can also achieve press-on/press-off too, by timing my keypresses carefully. I think it's just missing the keypresses I'm making so I guess this isn't by design, but it means that it works as an on/off torch too, which is cool. :8

However (could you tell this was coming?) there's one thing I'd love to change...

The screen must be open for the button to work (as you know) but this means that as well as the torch light the screen light is also bright, and facing the person holding the Exec. Would it be possible for VJCandela not only to turn on the torch but to turn off the screen backlight when the torch is illuminated please? This has never been a problem before since to use the backlight we had to go into camera mode and the screen was always black showing the camera preview.

Hope that all makes sense. Another donation will be on its way soon when I get home. :)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] darkblak:
Good call. I must admit that I wasn't aware how bright it was until 05:00 this morning - wow. I normally use the light from the screen just to guide myself out quietly - with the torch on it was great!
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Guys, many thanks. There is a VJCandela thread, so it might be worth sticking features specific to my version of the app in there.

VJCandelaLite defaults to a press and hold state, whereby it will stay on until you release it's key, whatever key that might be (eg try it by going to programs, and pressing and holding enter). PPC6700 guys are using it on their "OK" button. I've never seen a PPC6700, so I'll leave that to your imagination.

You're right, by being particularly quick, you can use it as a toggle. It may be prudent to build this MS style "feature" as a proper option :)

However, there are of course command line options -on and -off.

SiliconS: VJCandela FatBoy contains the screen on/off button, but I'll try to build it in to VJCandelaLite as an option, so press and hold will toggle the screen as well. Shout out if I got the wrong end of the stick. I'll then try to finish off Wizard code, and if I get a bit more time, Atom and MPX300 if it's feasible.

I have test code to use the light with the clam closed, but it's a dodgy implementation and is merely one step along the path towards full hardware key usage with the clam closed. I know there must be a neater solution then mine, so I haven't built it in yet.

VJSihaya: how I miss her... I'm thinking of going quiet for a while and finishing off several bug fixes on other stuff, and then doing VJSihaya. VJCandela caught me in a very busy week at work. It'll be nice to do some relaxing programming now. I'm beginning to forget that this is a hobby :( Your appreciation is very very much appreciated!

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] BlackICE:
I had first to change the links as the path were all wrong. I have german OS and there Start Menu is Startmenü and Program files is Programme etc.

Also first " was missing in the link for the hardware key.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
BlackICE: the non English OS issue is noted on my webpage. I haven't had time to write a custom installer, but the example shortcuts are just examples...

The HWKey.cab was wrong. I've removed it from my webpage. The registry hack to create your own Backlight button is indicated on my webpage (for the Universal) and somewhere on this board... I've removed the HWKey.cab because non Universal users were using it and screwing up their settings :(

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] BlackICE:
vijay555: for me this was no problem. I am developing myself and hacking around. So I am familiar with that type of problems. Now I will start to extend my developing capabilities on the pocket pc area.

I have only written that, as for some others this could be a problem and I did not see anybody writing about this here.

Also, I oversaw the missing " on the link in the registry and it quite cost my time.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] Carnivor:
hey vijay, nice work bud,

was showing it in work and we came up with a master challange for ya,

could you also implement the camera, to decipher someone elses flashing JJ?

ie, each has JJ, each cam is looking at the other persons flashes.

scap all that, i'll start again, heres the planned app,

~Bottom Half of screen~

using the onscreen keyboard have it convert into morse code,

~Top Half of screen~

the camera view is displayed with a recieved morse code text window.

as the camera "see's" the morse code from another "device" its results are converted and shown in the text window,

hey presto, a morse code sender and reciever. who needs 3G?!?!?!

hope that makes sence, your challenge is set. maybe the blastphemer (s0z about spelling) can do it aswell? offer is open :lol:

foooo you got to love this cronic for making ya drivel on and on
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Carnivor: :) I've not done any work on the camera, although deciphering it on WM5 is not too bad compared to the closed book of WM2003.

TheBlasphemer is working on something quite cool, leave him be... it'll be worth it hopefully. Although I'm sure he'll be up for this app (he's off having pizza somewhere right now)

Guys, torch code is available. I've never done any graphic processing work - I guess spotting the correct colour balance in the colour histogram would be relatively doable, much like simplistic voice recognition. But there are quite a few variables I imagine, once you get to any significant distance it becomes unreliable.

I think I might leave this one for someone with a bit more experience in the field! Maybe ZeBoxx, he's our local graphics king (at least for me, he'll always be "The King")

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] Robb Bates:
Works like a charm on the Apache. Shortcuts were a little messed up.

Bluetooth, voice activated flashlight... Major geek bragging points!!!!

I've just sent vijay $5.

Keep up the good work.

Robb
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] SiliconS:
Awesome idea! Must try that later on.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Many thanks Robb, and all voodoo code is posted in the other VJCandela thread if anyone wants to implement their own. I'll be making a couple of updates soon as well.

I'll try to send out individual thanks to all those making donations, but I want to say here, your donations are all very very much appreciated. Some new stuff that's being worked on - wow! News soon.

Development tools do cost a lot, so it's all going to a good cause I hope.

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] danoldo:
Hi,

I would like to know if the software works with the Qtek Exec closed.

I tried to assign the backlite key to it, but it works only if the screen is opened.

Do you have any advice?

Thank you in advance.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] Melty:
Can't believe I missed this vijay! I've been very busy with real life for the past few days and then I come back here and see this. Many congratulations mate! I will download, have a play and give you my findings later (probably just praise, but who knows, I can break almost anything). :wink:
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
This is Universal and derivatives right now (it works on the Apache, any others?) - ZeBoxx has provided me with a Wizard dumped rom, so I'm going to try to fix Wizard compatiblity. Beyond there, perhaps more devices.

I'll also integrate the automatic screen off as an option shortly.

Re operating with the clam closed - stay tuned. Not long. :)

Melty - the VJCandelaFatBoy version needs a bit more work on the GUI, I just got very bored of it last weekend and released it. I like the Lite version personally. But I'll readdress both versions shortly.

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] buzz_lightyear:
well, I think, that it doesn't matter, if you master your programming language. more important is, if your apps are usefull or not...

hmm... wtf I wanted to say?

buzz
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] buzz_lightyear:
yeah!

...and VJ's apps are having BIG effect at very small footprint ;o)))

buzz
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Late night Buzz? :wink:

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] peteypye:
Hi, I havn't posted in a long time..

Well done Vijay, once again, great application..

Having problem's programming it to the hardware button - well, it's all programmed, but it won't run when I push button - because, you guessed it "The file 'VJCandela' cannot be opened. Either it is not signed with a trsted certificate, or one of its components cannot be found. You might need to reinstall or restore this file."

Note - this is happening when I try to run any *.lnk files in the VJCandela folder!

HELP??? :oops:

ta
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
peteypye: did you install into a non default folder?

There's a warning on my site: because of the crap way I make cabs, the shortcuts are hardcoded to only point to the default location (well, all shortcuts with options, VJCandela and VJCandelaLite should work).

So use gsfinder/resco etc and edit all the shortcuts to point to where you installed it to.

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] peteypye:
:lol: heh - fixed problem - app runs sweet...

well done! :wink:

ta
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] bernardoc:
pls help me

My flash ligths is allways on!!! . O2 XDA Atom last versio 123

one of the ligths in the flash doesn't whant to go off.

there is any one that know how to torn it off?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
bernardoc: you mean the flashing orange/red leds, or the camera flash?

Because I've never tested it on there! Soft reset man, quick!

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] arielc:
hi, i dont know if any of you have seen this but if i activate the flash and leave it on till the backlight goes off byitself the actual colour of the flash light turns greenish blue. its quiet cool and was just wondering how it works and if we can get more colours out of this light.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] bernardoc:
No the flash ligth it self has two strong white ligths,, when you see from the back the left one is always on is drainning the batteries.

I cann't find where to turn of

I already update to new rom ........123 and on the process did not whent off
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
bernardoc: but why is the light on? Because of VJCandela?

As I've said, I've no idea what it does on an Atom, I've not programmed it for and tested it on an Atom. I would love to get an atom rom dump to see how to make it compatible, but so far, no luck :(

arielc - what device are you using? I don't think it's possible for me to dissect the flash further, although it might be possible to go more hardcore on the hardware to test this idea. But I'll be happy to get the basic light working for now!

Hey, my lights went out yesterday. Mrs Vijay555 was dragging a lamp round while I fumbled with the fuses. But then I whipped out my Universal and lo, Genesis 1:3 :)

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] bernardoc:
There is not connecting with VJCandela, this happens before I found the forum.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
Right, right. Ok, hopefully when I make VJCandela atom compatible, it should shut off the flash as well.

V
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] bernardoc:
What can I help then? You sad sonthig about rom ?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vijay555:
bernardoc: nothing right now it seems. I need software that can dump a "live" rom for the Atom and Wizard. I'll have to ask the Big Brains how they do this.

V