RRButton compiler problem with PB10

[Martin Francom]

I am getting the following compiler problem with the RRButton when compiling with PB10.  Here's the error code:

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Compiling "E:\PBWin90\FireFly31\Projects\Project1\release\CODEGEN_PROJECT1_MAIN.bas"
Error 421 in E:\PBWIN90\FIREFLY31\PROJECTS\PROJECT1\RELEASE\CODEGEN_RRBUTTONINC_MODULE.INC(1017:022):  String operand expected
  Line 1017:   If PtInRect(rc, pt.x, pt.y) Then 


Apparently PB10 has a problem with the pt.x and pt.y variables.   Is there an updated version of the RRButton module that is compatible with PB10 ?

[José Roca]

Change it to If PtInRect(rc, pt) Then

[Martin Francom]

Jose' Thanks that got me a little further.

Now I get a different error:

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Compiling "E:\PBWin10\FireFly31\Projects\Project1\release\CODEGEN_PROJECT1_MAIN.bas"
Error 420 in E:\PBWin10\FireFly31\Projects\Project1\release\CODEGEN_PROJECT1_MAIN.bas(492:062):  Relational operator expected
  Line 492:    MapWindowPoints %HWND_DESKTOP, GetParent(hWnd), @ff.rcCtrl, 2 



Paul,  This looks like a problem with FF3 CODEGEN code.  Is it or is it something else?

[Paul Squires]

Looks like that code is from FLY_ResizeRuleInitEnum used by FF3 to automatically resize forms/controls.

[José Roca]

Code Select Expand


MapWindowPoints %HWND_DESKTOP, GetParent(hWnd), @ff.rcCtrl, 2 


This one will work with my includes, since I have the parameter declared AS ANY, but the new PB include files, that you're using, have it declared as BYVAL POINT PTR.

[Paul Squires]

Code Select Expand


MapWindowPoints %HWND_DESKTOP, GetParent(hWnd), @ff.rcCtrl, 2 


This one will work with my includes, since I have the parameter declared AS ANY, but the new PB include files, that you're using, have it declared as BYVAL POINT PTR.

...and that's one reason why in FF4 you will only be able to use Jose's fantastic collection of include files.

[José Roca]

The main difference is that, to me, providing headers is not a necessary evil or a duty. I use them daily and need them to be as complete and accurate as possible. Of course, with about 20000 declares, about 90000 methods and about 5000 wrappers there must have mistakes, specially in technologies that I haven't used, but it is impossible for a man alone to test each and every one of them.

The PB declaration for MapWindowPoints is correct and usable, but it is less convenient to use that mine because...

lpPoints [in, out]

    A pointer to an array of POINT structures that contain the set of points to be converted. The points are in device units. This parameter can also point to a RECT structure, in which case the cPoints parameter should be set to 2.

Declaring the parameter AS ANY you can pass both an array of POINT structures or a RECT structure without having to use a BYVAL VARPTR override.

[Roger Garstang]

...and that's one reason why in FF4 you will only be able to use Jose's fantastic collection of include files.

I've been pretty busy and just catching bits and pieces of things, but just for confirmation- Version 4 will require PB Win 10 and Version 3 will be the last to support Pre-PB Win 10 right?  Will both continue to be updated for any issues related to their specific version?  And, how will the "fantastic collection" keep updated? I have a lot of forums to keep track of and I don't want to visit 3+ all the time just for one language.  It seems everyone wants you to sign up for their site lately...which is ok, but that is a lot of passwords to remember.  From comments I've seen it seems like most of it is to please Bob and make sure pirates aren't getting access to advanced tools and help, but with Paul having his own private forum tied to purchase of the software, maybe some type of an agreement can be made?  I wish there was just some type of central server even and you could be verified through it like Facebook and others do allowing you to sign in on other sites using one logon.  Just don't tie things too much...the SmartFTP guys did that and he seems to not know what forums are for and when you help people with issues you get banned and since tied to your account I pretty much have no support and they ignore emails now.  So, that will be a license I'll just let expire in July...and here I thought the Web Builder guys were annoying with language barrier problems, it is shame more forums aren't like here and PB Forums - Bob.

I know early on there was a lot of joint effort towards FireFly then everyone kind of went their own way.  There is a lot of talent here if everyone puts their heads together.  I plan on getting 10 eventually once all the kinks are worked out and the wife and new baby stop taking all my money.  It may be one at a time though, so if FF 4 only supports PB10 I may end up getting it 2nd in line.

[Paul Squires]

...but just for confirmation- Version 4 will require PB Win 10 and Version 3 will be the last to support Pre-PB Win 10 right? 

Exactly. FF4 will require PB10. FF3 will only support pre-PB10.

Will both continue to be updated for any issues related to their specific version?

FF3 will be updated for bug fixes only for a specific period of time. Probably 6 months or so. Similar to the FF2 phase out.

And, how will the "fantastic collection" keep updated?

When the time is right, I will speak with Jose and try to broker a deal whereby I can distribute a version of his includes in the FF4 download, or allow some type of hosting of his files for registered FF4 owners. Whatever Jose is comfortable with. If he prefers registering on his site and download the files from there, then that is okay as well. It's his work, therefore, his rules. 

[José Roca]

Are there more FF users that aren't interested in my site and find annoying to have to visit it just to download the headers?

Hosting them in other places will kill most of the traffic to my forum, and I will lose interest.

[Paul Squires]

Personally, I don't see it as a problem or annoying to visit your site for the headers. I am on your site every day and enjoy reading the posts. I tend to actually learn new things by going to your site. 

What I could do is build in a dialog to advise users how to get the headers if they do not already have them on their system. I will also build a "Check for Update" feature into FF4 where it will contact my site to check to see if the user has the latest version of FF4 and/or your headers.

I would much rather prefer not to have distribute the headers with the FF4 package or host them on my site.

[Rolf Brandt]

It seems everyone wants you to sign up for their site lately...which is ok, but that is a lot of passwords to remember.

For light stuff like forum access for many years I use just on standard password. Identy - I usually use my personal name or my company logo, rbSoft. So these things do not bug me at all.

Are there more FF users that aren't interested in my site and find annoying to have to visit it just to download the headers?

Your site is extremely informativ and I found solutions for many a problem there. So why should visiting your site for a download of the the latest headers be annoying?

Basically for PB programming with FireFly you need 4 forums:
FireFly, Jose Roca, PB, SQLitening
That gives you such a wealth of information and good support that you will hardly need anything else!

BTW Jose:
At the end of the month I am going to be for one night in Valencia before entering a ship. Do you have a good suggestion for a restaurant (Spanish of course)?

[Roger Garstang]

It isn't that it is annoying.  It is just another forum to keep track of.  I realize I could use packages that remember/generate  my passwords (Many of which have had issues or have been hacked), or I could use the same password on all so when one gets hacked they all are wide open, but I like to be more secure for what little good it does with pretty much every place I do business with harvesting info through the Epsilon company that just gave everything away to hackers.  With the last comment I'm a little confused though.  I'm not seeing any ads or things to make money on the pages there, so a decrease in traffic I'd think would make things cheaper at most hosts.  I'm sure there will still be plenty of visits.  There is a lot of other things there to look at and if it is just the headers people were coming to my forum for then I'd already feel used.  It isn't just the headers people go there for though, and with them being used and required in FF4 it will generate more traffic there for real reasons like support and discussion of them.

All I'm saying is to keep things separate.  They can still be protected and integrated with the forum authentication.  You can use PHP to download and verify through the user/password on the forum...often the forum has a function the download script can even use to verify the user.  Paul did something similar here although something happened with the logout button and it creates another session and never really logs out.  FF4 could even send a web request to a PHP Script telling the version it has and getting the current version available.  It wouldn't be too hard to even have a username and password box for the update allowing FF to download updates only with a logon.  I've been making my .Net apps on Win Mobile do the same thing and communicate directly with a PHP script to logon and upload/download data from a Web Server backend I made and it works pretty well.  There could even be a menu item off of help to go to your forum.  I just find it much easier to use an application to check for updates or go right to a download page without searching forum threads for a download.  Discussion of the download is what the forums are for.

The other thing I'm worried about is the very thing your comment said about losing interest.  If at least some version isn't included and FF4 only operates with them then what?  I'd hope that never happens since you update your includes about 100x faster than PB updates theirs.  I use a lot of tools in my job and in freelance work, so all the little pirates out their making people require activation and such make things difficult.  PB uses keys and a pretty good binary update format for protection.  I bought the product, so have it installed and just keep a backup of that folder I always have even if I lose the installs, updates, or they go out of business.  Paul recently switched away from how he was protecting that itself was even fine since it didn't require activation online...but that it is gone makes debugging my apps using Winspector easier since FF would crash before.  There have been custom controls that came and went, but they weren't required for FF4 to work.  If FF4 only works with one set of includes, I just want to make sure they are available.  I got hooked on Web Builder from advice here and have multiple pages made in it, but often worry about him giving up development since he gets frustrated easily and uses many pre-built tools without much real programming under his belt.  Sure I have the HTML and a 30day trial if the activation is no longer there, but I wasted a lot of time using the product if he stops it.

[José Roca]

BTW Jose:
At the end of the month I am going to be for one night in Valencia before entering a ship. Do you have a good suggestion for a restaurant (Spanish of course)?

this is a very good one and less expensive than others of the same category:
http://www.riasgallegas.es/english/home.asp

[Rolf Brandt]

Thanks for the info, Jose.
Looks very good.