VXPLib Documentation: Main Document

VXP LIBRARY


INTRO

This library was designed to serve as a middle ground for developers of program software who want to utilize simplicity of today's mark-up languages in their stand-alone applications without revolutionizing them to be fully web-based.

The core of the library is a COM interface that implements QHTML parser specially designed to be used in standard windows applications. The name of the library stands for Vitaly's XP Library, which refers to the author of the library, but mainly it is to convey an approach referred to as XP in designing up-to-date friendly user interfaces adherent to the user interface concept of Microsoft Windows XP.

As you can find out examining code samples emphasis is placed on presenting as much as possible in-place information right within the user interface to provide a more intuitive and descriptive UI, as opposed to developing overwhelmingly complex help systems that not many users bother reading at all.

This document takes you through all details of the VXPLib, and plenty of code samples available on www.tooltips.net/downloads.html will give you the idea of what the XP UI concept is as we see it. If you still have a question about using the library, or have comments, ideas, suggestions you are welcome on our website at www.tooltips.net specially designed to make the VXP Library available to everyone. Hope to see you there!

Download the latest version of the VXPLib documentation.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  • The component consists of a single file VXPLib.dll, and when using on Windows NT4/2000/XP doesn't require anything else to be installed.
    Since the component was implemented as a 100% Unicode COM Server on Windows 95/98/Me it requires Unicode support. To provide unicode support on Windows 95/98/Me all you need is just file unicows.dll placed in the Windows System directory. Details about this as well as file unicows.dll can be found on our website www.Tooltips.NET
  • VXPLib.DLL is a COM Server, and needs to be registered on your PC. It is suggested that when distributed the DLL is copied into the Windows\System32 directory, and then registered there.

COM SPECIFICATION
Architecture of VXPLib is made up by ten dual COM interfaces with the core interface called IVXPQuickHTML, which implements the QHTML parser.
A list of all the COM interfaces implemented within the component, and the way they interact is given in the table below:
  • IVXPQuickHTML
    The core interface implementing the Quick HTML parser
  • IVXPSettings
    Set of all parameters the parser changes while analyzing a QHTML document.
  • IVXPMargins
    'Margins' parameters for the parser
  • IVXPFont
    Default font settings for the parser
  • IVXPSound
    Sound settings for the parser
  • IVXPTooltip
    A tooltip window primitive
  • IVXPTooltipManager
    A tooltip manager that controls when and how to display tooltips using IVXPTooltip
  • IVXPWndToolList
    A list of windows to which the tooltip manager attaches tooltips
  • IVXPCmdToolList
    A list of commands to which the tooltip manager attaches tooltips
  • IVXPMenuHook
    Overrides drawing procedures for any menu in the application.


Additionally, the diagram in the table explains how GUI applications can use the component. Mainly, four interfaces: IVXPQuickHTML, IVXPTooltip, IVXPTooltipManager and IVXPMenuHook are to be used in applications. Interfaces IVXPQuickHTML and IVXPTooltip also support sound and speech functionality.

SAMPLES
The best way to start off with VXPLib is by running code samples that clearly illustrate how VXPLib can be used in GUI applications.
Code samples are given for all popular development platforms, and can be found online here.

This document was last updated on 19/05/2003
Copyright © 2003 Tooltips.NET