Book Review
If you want to learn to program using OWL and Windows and you can't
afford the Borland Video, then buy this is the book. It is by far the best
book on Object Windows that I have seen so far, it is clear and concise. Each
section consists of a number of questions such as "How do I add Menus", "How
do I create MDI applications" and progresses to subjects such as "How do I
make non-rectangular windows" and OLE client server programming. Each
question is answered in full and is thoroughly dismantled and explained.
Each question is rated as either easy, moderate or difficult and the grading
is handy for the novice would do well to stick to the easy ones until
confidence is gained with Windows. Information panels are used to provide
reference information, and is often used to bring your attention to
functions/constants/parameters that could be used but were not directly
related to solving the immediate problem. The author uses these panels, for
example to list the functions the Windows API provides for serial port
communications, and also to break down and explain the bit settings of the
DCB (Device Control Block).
It's a shame the disk is not provided with the book as much of it would be
useful as "Clip Source" for personal customisation.
Though a comprehensive list of "How Do I.." is long, and I don't like
writing list of items, it should be enough to convince you that this OWL book
covers a wide range of useful subject matter to suit both the Windows novice
and Intermediate programmer.
Basics
- How do I... Make an Object Windows Application
- How do I... Change the Class Information and Style of a Window
- How do I... Add Control Windows to a Window
- How do I... Add Menus to a Program
- How do I... Create an MDI Application
- How do I... Make and Use Dynamic Link Libraries Dialog Boxes
- How do I... Use the TDialog Object Class
- How do I... Make a File Selection Dialog
- How do I... Make a Text Search Dialog
- How do I... Use Text Controls
- How do I... Use List Box and Combo Box Controls
- How do I... Use Check Box and Radio Button Controls
- How do I... Use String Tables
- How do I... Convert Programs to Another Language (e.g. German not
BASIC)
Menus
- How do I... Load Different Menus from the Resource File
- How do I... Add and Delete Menu Items
- How do I... Change the Attributes of a Menu Item
- How do I... Change the Check Marks Used in Menus
- How do I... Use Bitmaps as Menu Items
- How do I... Create Pop-Up Menus
Input/Output
- How do I... Create a Text Editor
- How do I... Get Input from the Keyboard
- How do I... Get Input from the Mouse
- How do I... Use the Serial Port
- How do I... Use the Sound Interface
- How do I... Handle the Printer
Graphics
- How do I... Draw in a Window
- How do I... Draw Different Shapes
- How do I... Use Bitmaps
- How do I... Use Fonts
- How do I... Use Metafiles
- How do I... Use the Colour Palette
Customising Windows
- How do I... Make 3-D Dialog Windows
- How do I... create Custom Controls
- How do I... Make a Screen Saver
- How do I... Make Non-Rectangular Windows
- How do I... Use Complex Shapes as Windows Storing Objects in Files
- How do I... Create a File Object
- How do I... Save Different Objects in a File
- How do I... Read and Write Parts of a File DDE Connections
- How do I... Create a DDE Server
- How do I... Create a DDE Client
- How do I... Get updated Data from the Server
- How do I... Execute Commands on the Server Object Linking and
Embedding
- How do I... Get Drag-and-Drop Files
- How do I... Create an OLE Client
- How do I... Create an OLE Server
As you've probably guessed by now I really like this book; except for the
cover which I find dreadful!!!! Gary Syck is one author that has
justification in being proud of his book.
Other
Authors with the same surname
Syck
ObjectWindows How-To by Gary Syck (Reviewed Jul 1994)
Last Update - 13 May 2001.
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