Dialog Software
Box 9889
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22209-0889
(703) 528-1505

DiaLogic
README
========

Please read this entire file. In addition to providing changes to
the User's manual, it contains other important information which
will help you enjoy DiaLogic.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/29/90

SEND US YOUR TEMPLATES!

Dialog Software plans to offer a DiaLogic Template Pack in early July,
1990. This package will be comprised of pre-tested and pre-made
DiaLogic Templates and will serve as ready-to-use subprograms. Already
we have a full-function File Load dialog box which works just like
the one in QuickBASIC 4.5! We also have a screen color setting dialog
box. These templates will require DiaLogic, and can be used right
out-of-the-box as subprograms. Full documentation will be provided.

We will pay $25.00 for each contribution to the DiaLogic Template Pack
which is actually used. A contribution is an operative subprogram which
makes use of DiaLogic and can provide some generic or useful function.
In addition, the author(s) will be given full credit and will be honored
in the product documentation.

Please send contributions to us at the address above via US mail.

NOTE: In the event of duplicate or similar entries, the earliest or
best implementation will be used. Please understand that we
cannot return materials sent to us and any materials sent
become the property of Dialog Software.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Technical Support (For Registered Users Only):

Free technical support is available by calling Dialog Software at
(703) 528-1505. The best time to contact a technician is in the
morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., during business days. Beyond
these hours, technical lines are usually open until 5:30 p.m. When
you call please leave a brief message regarding the nature of your
problem. This way, the most appropriate technician can contact you.
In order to keep product costs low, we must ask to return calls
collect. If this is not possible we invite you to write to us with
your question(s) and we will respond to you by mail.

* Special Notes:

If you own QuickPak Professional, an extensive library of assembler
routines for QuickBASIC [available from Crescent Software
(203) 846-2500], you may experience a conflict with the MScrnSave
and MScrnRest routines. This conflict is created because of the
DECLARE statements being used for these routines in DiaLogic. To
fix this situation it will be necessary for you to remove the DECLARE
keyword for these two routines, and to ensure that the CALL keyword is
added to each instance of MScrnSave and MScrnRest in *every* module.
(DiaLogic uses some Crescent Software routines under a special license
with Crescent Software.)

* Using DiaLogic:

DiaLogic will occupy a large number of bytes when in the environment.
To help reduce the overhead caused by the lengthy comments and
formatting, we suggest that you work with a copy in which the comments
have been removed. Another approach is to create a Quick Library
containing DiaLogic.

When using DiaLogic, please follow these suggested tips:

(1) Use QuickBASIC 4.0b, if possible.
(2) Start QB with /ah.
(3) ALWAYS save files using the Text format. There are
documented problems with QuickBASIC's "Fast Save" format,
such as unexplained crashes.
(4) When compiling in the environment, always use the "Run
Restart" pulldown menu command before attempting to
Run with .
(5) If your program breaks due to an error, go to the Immediate
Window (with ) and type End.


* Version History:

========
04-12-89
========

The DiaLogic manual, after its first printing, has some minor bugs(!).
First, you should be aware that in some instances a blank page was
accidentally omitted during the printing process. For example,
page 52 is directly opposed to the title page for Part III, where
there should have been a preceding blank page as a divider. Do not
be concerned that pages 53 and 54 are missing, since these page numbers
were reserved for a blank divider page only.

Second, a few minor errors were noted at this time which are summarized
below.

We sincerely apologize for these errors.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Corrections to the manual:

* Page 14 - In the middle of the page, the sentence should read

"Beginning on page 27, the section . . . "

* Page 18 - On the top of the page, second line, the sentence
should read

"As mentioned on page 15, the . . . "

* Page 102 - On the top of the page, fourth line, the sentence
should read

" . . . created in Part III: Creating a Template . . . "

* Page C-4 - The heading "Functional Problems" should be
"Operational Problems."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

========
04-25-89
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.1. A minor adjustment was made to the ListBox
subprogram to prevent a potential Overflow error.

========
08-03-89
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.2. Fixes include better keyboard control,
a correction of wrongly-returned values in one-across scrolling list
boxes, and a fix to an option button array.

========
11-15-89
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.3. A fix was made to list boxes containing
only one item.

========
01-08-90
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.4a. New memory allocation techniques were
created to ensure proper deallocation.

========
01-11-90
========

Version 1.4b

Focus may be changed by setting the new focus and ensuring that
Action = 3. The correct list box element is now returned when the
mouse is used while polling a list box. Further, Action is now
set to 4 when a new list box item has been selected.

========
01-22-90
========

Version 1.4c

Sentence-linked list boxes now properly erase old sentence strings.
The FIX statement was removed, and a better method of calculating
the current column in list boxes was developed.

========
01-28-90
========

Version 1.4d

All items in a dialog box are now properly refreshed (i.e., updated)
to reflect new information in DB and LB when Action is set to 2.
Smart Lables are refreshed with respect to text and color. It is
now very easy to build color-setting dialog boxes or File Load
dialog boxes by using Action 3 to poll, and Action 2 to refresh.

NOTE: If Smart Labels are refreshed with an Action 2, please ensure that
the AltKey character for the label is not changed.

List boxes may be refreshed in several ways. Many users have
requested the ability to control whether an item is highlighted,
to redraw the items in a list box, and to select a specific item
in a list box. When Action is 2 all dialog box elements are
refreshed (excluding the Window and the Group Box). Since each
list box may require a different refresh type, we have made use
of DB().Default and DB().SelectedColor in order to specify how
the refresh should be conducted:

DB().Default

When refreshing list boxes, the Default value can be positive,
zero, or negative. If positive, the Default item in the list
box will be highlighted and/or the focus will rest on it when
the list box is accessed. If zero, no item will be selected.
if negative, the contents of the list box are entirely redis-
played. The absolute value of the negative default becomes
the new default which is selected. Negative DB().Default
values should always be chosen if the contents of the LB array
have been changed.

DB().SelectedColor

This setting should be set to -1 if you do not want the default
item to be selected (i.e., highlighted) in the list box. If you
want to select the default item in a list box, then
DB().SelectedColor must have a positive value which corresponds
to a color in the color chart (see the Appendix of the user's
manual).






========
01-29-90
========

Version 1.4e

Option buttons will now be properly refreshed on XT-class machines
during rapid mouse clicks. Stronger support was added for mouse
buttons 2 and 3.

To skip a list box, set NumberOne and NumberTwo to 0. This will
prevent the focus from being able to access the list box.

Dialog Software
Box 9889
1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22209-0889
(703) 528-1505

DiaLogic
README
========

Please read this entire file. In addition to providing changes to
the User's manual, it contains other important information which
will help you enjoy DiaLogic.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/29/90

SEND US YOUR TEMPLATES!

Dialog Software plans to offer a DiaLogic Template Pack in early July,
1990. This package will be comprised of pre-tested and pre-made
DiaLogic Templates and will serve as ready-to-use subprograms. Already
we have a full-function File Load dialog box which works just like
the one in QuickBASIC 4.5! We also have a screen color setting dialog
box. These templates will require DiaLogic, and can be used right
out-of-the-box as subprograms. Full documentation will be provided.

We will pay $25.00 for each contribution to the DiaLogic Template Pack
which is actually used. A contribution is an operative subprogram which
makes use of DiaLogic and can provide some generic or useful function.
In addition, the author(s) will be given full credit and will be honored
in the product documentation.

Please send contributions to us at the address above via US mail.

NOTE: In the event of duplicate or similar entries, the earliest or
best implementation will be used. Please understand that we
cannot return materials sent to us and any materials sent
become the property of Dialog Software.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Technical Support (For Registered Users Only):

Free technical support is available by calling Dialog Software at
(703) 528-1505. The best time to contact a technician is in the
morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., during business days. Beyond
these hours, technical lines are usually open until 5:30 p.m. When
you call please leave a brief message regarding the nature of your
problem. This way, the most appropriate technician can contact you.
In order to keep product costs low, we must ask to return calls
collect. If this is not possible we invite you to write to us with
your question(s) and we will respond to you by mail.

* Special Notes:

If you own QuickPak Professional, an extensive library of assembler
routines for QuickBASIC [available from Crescent Software
(203) 846-2500], you may experience a conflict with the MScrnSave
and MScrnRest routines. This conflict is created because of the
DECLARE statements being used for these routines in DiaLogic. To
fix this situation it will be necessary for you to remove the DECLARE
keyword for these two routines, and to ensure that the CALL keyword is
added to each instance of MScrnSave and MScrnRest in *every* module.
(DiaLogic uses some Crescent Software routines under a special license
with Crescent Software.)

* Using DiaLogic:

DiaLogic will occupy a large number of bytes when in the environment.
To help reduce the overhead caused by the lengthy comments and
formatting, we suggest that you work with a copy in which the comments
have been removed. Another approach is to create a Quick Library
containing DiaLogic.

When using DiaLogic, please follow these suggested tips:

(1) Use QuickBASIC 4.0b, if possible.
(2) Start QB with /ah.
(3) ALWAYS save files using the Text format. There are
documented problems with QuickBASIC's "Fast Save" format,
such as unexplained crashes.
(4) When compiling in the environment, always use the "Run
Restart" pulldown menu command before attempting to
Run with .
(5) If your program breaks due to an error, go to the Immediate
Window (with ) and type End.


* Version History:

========
04-12-89
========

The DiaLogic manual, after its first printing, has some minor bugs(!).
First, you should be aware that in some instances a blank page was
accidentally omitted during the printing process. For example,
page 52 is directly opposed to the title page for Part III, where
there should have been a preceding blank page as a divider. Do not
be concerned that pages 53 and 54 are missing, since these page numbers
were reserved for a blank divider page only.

Second, a few minor errors were noted at this time which are summarized
below.

We sincerely apologize for these errors.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Corrections to the manual:

* Page 14 - In the middle of the page, the sentence should read

"Beginning on page 27, the section . . . "

* Page 18 - On the top of the page, second line, the sentence
should read

"As mentioned on page 15, the . . . "

* Page 102 - On the top of the page, fourth line, the sentence
should read

" . . . created in Part III: Creating a Template . . . "

* Page C-4 - The heading "Functional Problems" should be
"Operational Problems."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

========
04-25-89
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.1. A minor adjustment was made to the ListBox
subprogram to prevent a potential Overflow error.

========
08-03-89
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.2. Fixes include better keyboard control,
a correction of wrongly-returned values in one-across scrolling list
boxes, and a fix to an option button array.

========
11-15-89
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.3. A fix was made to list boxes containing
only one item.

========
01-08-90
========

DiaLogic is at version 1.4a. New memory allocation techniques were
created to ensure proper deallocation.

========
01-11-90
========

Version 1.4b

Focus may be changed by setting the new focus and ensuring that
Action = 3. The correct list box element is now returned when the
mouse is used while polling a list box. Further, Action is now
set to 4 when a new list box item has been selected.

========
01-22-90
========

Version 1.4c

Sentence-linked list boxes now properly erase old sentence strings.
The FIX statement was removed, and a better method of calculating
the current column in list boxes was developed.

========
01-28-90
========

Version 1.4d

All items in a dialog box are now properly refreshed (i.e., updated)
to reflect new information in DB and LB when Action is set to 2.
Smart Lables are refreshed with respect to text and color. It is
now very easy to build color-setting dialog boxes or File Load
dialog boxes by using Action 3 to poll, and Action 2 to refresh.

NOTE: If Smart Labels are refreshed with an Action 2, please ensure that
the AltKey character for the label is not changed.

List boxes may be refreshed in several ways. Many users have
requested the ability to control whether an item is highlighted,
to redraw the items in a list box, and to select a specific item
in a list box. When Action is 2 all dialog box elements are
refreshed (excluding the Window and the Group Box). Since each
list box may require a different refresh type, we have made use
of DB().Default and DB().SelectedColor in order to specify how
the refresh should be conducted:

DB().Default

When refreshing list boxes, the Default value can be positive,
zero, or negative. If positive, the Default item in the list
box will be highlighted and/or the focus will rest on it when
the list box is accessed. If zero, no item will be selected.
if negative, the contents of the list box are entirely redis-
played. The absolute value of the negative default becomes
the new default which is selected. Negative DB().Default
values should always be chosen if the contents of the LB array
have been changed.

DB().SelectedColor

This setting should be set to -1 if you do not want the default
item to be selected (i.e., highlighted) in the list box. If you
want to select the default item in a list box, then
DB().SelectedColor must have a positive value which corresponds
to a color in the color chart (see the Appendix of the user's
manual).






========
01-29-90
========

Version 1.4e

Option buttons will now be properly refreshed on XT-class machines
during rapid mouse clicks. Stronger support was added for mouse
buttons 2 and 3.

To skip a list box, set NumberOne and NumberTwo to 0. This will
prevent the focus from being able to access the list box.

=================================================
Dialog Software
Box 9889 at 1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22209-0889

General information: 1-703-528-1505
Order line only: 1-800-342-5641
=================================================


IS THIS JUST ANOTHER DEMO?
__________________________

No. The files which are part of this ZIPped DiaLogic file
represent the commercial version of DiaLogic being sold
internationally to QuickBASIC programmers. DiaLogic may be ordered
directly from Dialog Software at 1-800-336-1166.

This BBS version of DiaLogic is fully-functional, and it includes
a comprehensive demonstration and several source files. The entire
200,000-byte manual has also been provided so that you may fully
examine the power and features of DiaLogic. If you decide that you
like DiaLogic, you may register and receive DIALOGIC.LIB, which
will allow you to create your own stand-alone applications. Until
you register, however, you may use DiaLogic.QLB in the QuickBASIC
4.x environment only to develop and test a program.


HOW CAN I USE THIS?
___________________

You may specify the DiaLogic Quick Library for use by starting
QuickBASIC 4.x as follows:

QB /L DIALOGIC

At this point the DiaLogic module will be available from the
QuickBASIC environment and you may create, test, and debug entire
applications. For example, to load and run the DEMO.BAS source
(or any of the other source files we've provided), you may use
QuickBASIC's File Open menu option to load it as you would any
BASIC program. Once the program has been loaded, press
to run it.

If you decide you like DiaLogic, you may register by purchasing the
product. Registered users will receive DiaLogic source code as well
as DIALOGIC.LIB, a file needed in order to create standalone .EXE files.


WHAT IS DIALOGIC?
_________________

DiaLogic is the most advanced Dialog Box utility available for
QuickBASIC. As a sophisticated programming tool, DiaLogic is used
to generate text-based dialog boxes just like those used in
Microsoft's QuickBASIC & QuickC editors, and Microsoft Works.
Unlike other "dialog box" programs, DiaLogic creates dialog boxes
which have striking similarity to Microsoft's own, and allows the
QuickBASIC programmer - whether novice or advanced - to develop
applications which have a standard, intuitive user-interface like
the well-known interfaces of the Macintosh, Hewlett-Packard's New
Wave, the DOS 4.0 Shell, and of course Microsoft Windows.

DiaLogic is a module which is linked with your own program. It is
not memory resident, rather it becomes part of the final .EXE file.
When you call DiaLogic from your program, DiaLogic reads a dialog
box template which you design in an array, and pops the dialog box
onto the screen for the user. When finished, DiaLogic passes all
the information about user-input back to the calling program, and
allows processing to continue.

Consider these features:

- DiaLogic combines BASIC with low-level assembler routines to
provide the fastest speed possible.
- Documented source code is provided for registered users at no
additional charge.
- DiaLogic's 100+ page manual contains a complete step-by-step
tutorial for creating many types of dialog boxes.
- DiaLogic includes an on-screen demo which explains each dialog
box input element as it runs
- DiaLogic input elements include the text box, list box, check
box, option buttons, smart labels, command buttons, and group
box.
- All dialog boxes may be *fully* customized with respect to
color, position, size, and the number of input elements which
they contain.
- Dialog boxes may be stacked on top of one another.
- Dialog boxes may be single- or multi-tasking. Multi-tasking
dialog boxes allow DiaLogic to be polled by the calling
program so that a background task may continue to execute.
- DiaLogic's mouse interface is *exactly* like Microsoft's
QuickBASIC 4.5 editor. List boxes and text boxes even detect
mouse acceleration when scrolling!
- DiaLogic's dialog boxes may optionally explode when displayed,
with a drop-shadow effect if desired.
- Hidden Alt-Keys (shortcut keys) are supported
- DiaLogic supports all text modes and colors.


REQUIREMENTS
____________

DiaLogic requires QuickBASIC 4.0 or later, and 640K base memory.

The BASIC 7.0 version will be available by April 30, 1990. This
version will be $10.00. If you add this amount to your DiaLogic
order, the upgrade will be sent to you as soon as it is available.

REGISTERING
___________

DiaLogic is $79.95 ($89.95 for the BASIC 7.0-compatible version).
Shipping in the United States is $6.00, and $15.00 outside the U.S.
Virginia residents, please add 4.5% sales tax.

You may order DiaLogic by calling 1-800-Dialog-1 (1-800-342-5641).
This number will work in all areas of the United States. Other
areas may call Dialog Software at 1-703-284-2344. You may use VISA
or MasterCard (all orders verified before being shipped), or you
may send a check or money order to:

Dialog Software
Orders Department
Box 9889 at 1101 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22209-0889

We cannot accept purchase orders.

All orders are shipped first class and within 2 business days
(except when back-ordered).


TECHNICAL SUPPORT
_________________

Technical support is free to registered users of DiaLogic. Please
run the included DiaLogic demo for more information.



[End]