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IDDE
Reference

Part 1: Welcome to Digital Mars C++
1. Introducing Digital Mars C++
2. Introducing the IDDE
Part 2: Creating an Application with Digital Mars C++
3. Starting a Project and Defining Workspaces
4. Generating an Application Framework
5. Defining Classes and Their Hierarchies
6. Editing Program Code
7. Adding Look and Feel with Resources
8. Testing an Application
Part 3: Learning Digital Mars C++ by Example
9. Introduction to the Tutorial
10. Lesson 1: Create the DOS Application
11. Lesson 2: Generate an Application Framework
12. Lesson 3: Customize the Interface
13. Lesson 4: Add Messages with ClassExpress
14. Lesson 5: Add a Dialog Box with ClassExpress
Part 4: More about Creating Programs
15. More about Projects and Workspaces
16. More about Project Build Settings
17. More about AppExpress
18. More about ClassExpress
19. Class Editor Reference
20. Hierarchy Editor Reference
21. Text Editor Reference
22. Using Version Control
Part 5: More about Testing Programs
23. Controlling and Configuring the Debugger
24. Commands Available in Debugging Mode
Part 6: About Managing Resources
25. ResourceStudio Resource Editor
26. Dialog Editor
27. Menu, Accelerator and String Table Editors
28. Bitmap, Cursor, Icon, and Font Editors
29. Version Information and Custom Resource Editors
Part 7: Appendixes
A. Expression Evaluation
B. IDDE Settings and Command-Line Options
C. Using NetBuild
Select Language:

27. Menu, Accelerator and String Table Editors

This ResourceStudio reference chapter contains details about the commands and options found in the Menu editor, the Accelerator Table editor and the String Table editor. For an introduction to ResourceStudio, see Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

Menu Editor

The Menu editor (see Figure 27-1) is used to edit menu resources.

[Figure 27-1 The Menu editor

The Menu editor displays the menu as a hierarchy of POPUPs, each of which may contain MENUITEMs, SEPARATORs, and other POPUPs. Items are added to the menu with commands in the Menu menu (or by clicking buttons in the toolbar), and are rearranged with commands in the Outline menu or by dragging with the mouse. The menu may be tested as a pull-down or pop-up menu at any time in the Test menu window, which is opened automatically when the Menu editor is started. For more information about using the Menu editor, see Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

File menu commands

The File menu (see Figure 27-2) contains commands to save the resource file, to edit resource IDs, and to perform other miscellaneous functions.

[Figure 27-2 Menu editor File menu

Save

Saves the resource file. If the file is unnamed, this command executes Save As.

Save As

Opens a Windows File Save As dialog box, which can be used to save the resource file under a new name.

Edit Resource IDs

Opens the Resource ID Browser dialog box, used to browse and modify resource IDs. For more information about managing resource IDs and using the Resource ID Browser dialog box, see "Managing Resource IDs," in Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

ClassExpress

Runs ClassExpress, passing the filename of the resource file as the project that ClassExpress should open. This command is only enabled if the Menu editor is running in the right pane of the Browser window.

Close Editing

Closes the Menu editor.

Edit menu commands

The Edit menu (see Figure 27-3) contains standard editing commands. You can undo operations, and can cut, copy, paste, and delete individual MENUITEMs or entire POPUPs.

[Figure 27-3 Menu editor Edit menu

Undo

Undoes the last Menu editor operation.

Redo

Redoes the last Menu editor operation that was undone.

Cut

Copies the selected item to the Clipboard, then deletes it from the menu.

Copy

Copies the selected item to the Clipboard.

Paste

Copies the item in the Clipboard into the menu.

Delete

Deletes the selected item from the menu.

Menu menu commands

The Menu menu (see Figure 27-4) contains commands to add items to the menu. You can insert individual MENUITEMs, POPUPs, and SEPARATORs, and you can insert predefined File, Edit, and Help menus. An additional command lets you check for duplicate command IDs.

[Figure 27-4 Menu editor Menu menu

Before adding a new item, select the item after which the new item should be inserted.

New Item

Adds a new MENUITEM after the selected item.

New Popup

Adds a new POPUP after the selected item.

New Separator

Adds a new SEPARATOR after the selected item.

Standard File Menu

Adds a standard File menu after the selected item.

Standard Edit Menu

Adds a standard Edit menu after the selected item.

Standard Help Menu

Adds a standard Help menu after the selected item.

Check Duplicate IDs

Checks the menu for duplicate command IDs. If any two items have the same ID, the Resolve Duplicate IDs dialog box opens (see Figure 27-5).

[Figure 27-5 Resolve Duplicate IDs dialog box

To resolve duplicate IDs, first click on a number in the Duplicate IDs list. The Used By listbox displays the items that are using that ID. Click on Resolve One to automatically assign new IDs (with unique values) to the items.

Outline menu commands

The Outline menu (see Figure 27-6) is used to rearrange the menu. You can move items within their current hierarchical level, or you can promote or demote items from one level to another.

[Figure 27-6 Menu editor Outline menu

Expand/Collapse

Expands or collapses (depending on the present state) the view of the contents of a POPUP item. While a POPUP is collapsed, the items within a POPUP are not shown, and the triangle to the left of the POPUP points rightward. While expanded, the items within the POPUP are shown and the triangle points downward. You can also execute this command by clicking on the triangle next to the POPUP.

Move Up

Exchanges the selected item with the previous item in the same level of the hierarchy.

Move Down

Exchanges the selected item with the next item in the same level of the hierarchy.

Demote

If the previous item in the same level of the hierarchy is a POPUP, moves the selected item into the POPUP.

Promote

If the selected item is within a POPUP, moves the item out of the POPUP to the same hierarchical level as the POPUP.

Toolbar commands

The Menu editor toolbar (see Figure 27-7) provides quick access to frequently used menu commands.

[Figure 27-7 Menu editor toolbar

Undo:
Same as choosing Undo from the Edit menu. Right-click on this button to undo multiple operations at once.
Redo:
Same as choosing Redo from the Edit menu. Right-click on this button to redo multiple operations at once.
Cut:
Same as choosing Cut from the Edit menu.
Copy:
Same as choosing Copy from the Edit menu.
Paste:
Same as choosing Paste from the Edit menu.
New Item:
Same as choosing New Item from the Menu menu.
New Popup:
Same as choosing New Popup from the Menu menu.
New Separator:
Same as choosing New Separator from the Menu menu.

Popup item properties

POPUP item properties are shown in Figure 27-8.

[Figure 27-8 Popup properties

Menu item properties

MENUITEMs and SEPARATORs have two pages of properties. The General properties are shown in Figure 27-9.

[Figure 27-9 Menu item / separator General properties

A SEPARATOR would have the Separator box checked.

The Connect properties (see Figure 27-10) only apply to MENUITEMs.

[Figure 27-10 Menu item Connect properties

The Prompt textbox is used to set help text for the item. The Hotkey field displays the accelerator key combination associated with the item. For more information about how to create menus with help text and accelerators, see Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

Accelerator Table Editor

The Accelerator Table editor (see Figure 27-11) is used to edit accelerator tables.

[Figure 27-11 The Accelerator Table editor

The Accelerator Table editor displays a list of accelerator IDs and associated key combinations. To create and delete accelerators, use the New and Delete commands in the Edit menu. You can set the ID and key combination of an accelerator in the Property Sheet.

Accelerators are usually associated with menu items, and you can create accelerators directly from the Menu editor. For more information, see Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

File menu commands

The File menu (see Figure 27-12) contains commands to save the resource file, to edit resource IDs, and to perform other miscellaneous functions.

[Figure 27-12 Accelerator Table editor File menu

Save

Saves the resource file. If the file is unnamed, this command executes Save As.

Save As

Opens a Windows File Save As dialog box, which can be used to save the resource file under a new name.

Edit Resource IDs

Opens the Resource ID Browser dialog box, used to browse and modify resource IDs. For more information about managing resource IDs and using the Resource ID Browser dialog box, see "Managing Resource IDs," in Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

ClassExpress

Runs ClassExpress, passing the filename of the resource file as the project that ClassExpress should open. This command is only enabled if the Accelerator Table editor is running in the right pane of the Browser window.

Close Editing

Closes the Accelerator Table editor.

Edit menu commands

The Edit menu (see Figure 27-13) contains standard editing commands. You can undo operations, and can cut, copy, paste, add, and delete accelerators.

[Figure 27-13 Accelerator Table editor Edit menu

Undo

Undoes the last Accelerator Table editor operation.

Redo

Redoes the last Accelerator Table editor operation that was undone.

Cut

Copies the selected accelerator to the Clipboard, then deletes it from the table.

Copy

Copies the selected accelerator to the Clipboard.

Paste

Copies the accelerator in the Clipboard into the table.

New

Adds a new accelerator to the table.

Delete

Deletes the selected accelerator from the table.

Toolbar commands

The Accelerator Table editor toolbar (see Figure 27-14) provides quick access to frequently used menu commands.

[Figure 27-14 Accelerator Table editor toolbar

Undo:
Same as choosing Undo from the Edit menu. Right-click on this button to undo multiple operations at once.
Redo:
Same as choosing Redo from the Edit menu. Right-click on this button to redo multiple operations at once.
Cut:
Same as choosing Cut from the Edit menu.
Copy:
Same as choosing Copy from the Edit menu.
Paste:
Same as choosing Paste from the Edit menu.
New:
Same as choosing New from the Edit menu.
Delete:
Same as choosing Delete from the Edit menu.

Accelerator properties

Accelerator properties are shown in Figure 27-15.

[Figure 27-15 Accelerator properties

The accelerator key combination can be set by clicking on Next Typed, then pressing the key combination. The Key, Type, and Modifiers options are set automatically.

String Table Editor

The String Table editor (see Figure 27-16) is used to edit string tables.

[Figure 27-16 The String Table editor

The String Table editor displays a list of IDs and associated text. To create and delete strings, use the New and Delete commands in the Edit menu. You can set the ID and text of a string in the Property Sheet.

Although they can be used for any purpose, strings are commonly used to display information about menu commands. You can create strings associated with menu items directly from the Menu editor. For more information, see Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

File menu commands

The File menu (see Figure 27-17) contains commands to save the resource file, to edit resource IDs, and to perform other miscellaneous functions.

[Figure 27-17 String Table editor File menu

Save

Saves the resource file. If the file is unnamed, this command executes Save As.

Save As

Opens a Windows File Save As dialog box, which can be used to save the resource file under a new name.

Edit Resource IDs

Opens the Resource ID Browser dialog box, used to browse and modify resource IDs. For more information about managing resource IDs and using the Resource ID Browser dialog box, see "Managing Resource IDs," in Chapter 7, "Adding Look and Feel with Resources."

ClassExpress

Runs ClassExpress, passing the filename of the resource file as the project that ClassExpress should open. This command is only enabled if the String Table editor is running in the right pane of the Browser window.

Close Editing

Closes the String Table editor.

Edit menu commands

The Edit menu (see Figure 27-18) contains standard editing commands. You can undo operations, and can cut, copy, paste, add, and delete strings. The find commands can help you to locate particular strings in large tables.

[Figure 27-18 String Table editor Edit menu

Undo

Undoes the last String Table editor operation.

Redo

Redoes the last String Table editor operation that was undone.

Cut

Copies the selected string to the Clipboard, then deletes it from the table.

Copy

Copies the selected string to the Clipboard.

Paste

Copies the string in the Clipboard into the table.

New

Adds a new string to the table.

Delete

Deletes the selected string from the table.

Find

Opens the Find String dialog box (see Figure 27-19). This dialog box is used to locate a string containing particular text.

[Figure 27-19 Find String dialog box

Type the search text into the Find What textbox. Select Match Case to make the search case sensitive. When you click OK, the String Table editor locates the first occurrence of the text in the string table.

Find Again

Finds the next occurrence of the search text, starting from the currently selected string.

Toolbar commands

The String Table editor toolbar (see Figure 27-20) provides quick access to frequently used menu commands.

[Figure 27-20 String Table editor toolbar

Undo:
Same as choosing Undo from the Edit menu. Right-click on this button to undo multiple operations at once.
Redo:
Same as choosing Redo from the Edit menu. Right-click on this button to redo multiple operations at once.
Cut:
Same as choosing Cut from the Edit menu.
Copy:
Same as choosing Copy from the Edit menu.
Paste:
Same as choosing Paste from the Edit menu.
New:
Same as choosing New from the Edit menu.
Delete:
Same as choosing Delete from the Edit menu.
Find:
Same as choosing Find from the Edit menu.

String properties

String properties are shown in Figure 27-21.

[Figure 27-21 String properties

Enter the string in the Text textbox. You can insert tabs and carriage returns by typing Ctrl+Tab and Ctrl+Enter, respectively. You can also use \t to represent a tab and \n for a carriage return.