applications
In this section: Fun with SSL and HTTPS, VB.NET, Pro-IV and the improbably named Reality.
VB.NET
OpenFileDialog and SaveFileDialog with Thumbnails
I have been busy writing a new e-commerce system in VB.NET. The application allows you to control the online catalog, and all html content remotely from your own office PC (more on this project soon...). The project has been an interesting and extremely valuable learning exercise. However, I have been knocking the limitations of VB.NET here and there (and this is 1.1!). One of the problems is that the OpenFileDialog cannot be opened in a default view. This is not considered a bug. (See msdn).
My application requires a standard Windows File Dialog to be called, in order to choose an image. If I'm going to be using such a dialog many times a day, I would not want the extra faff of clicking on the list view toolbar icon, changing to thumbnail view before I start looking for my image every time it's opened. So I cast around for guidance on the internet, and found a very good project that did exactly what I wanted at http://www.codeproject.com/cs/miscctrl/FileDialogExtender.asp. This great project was written by Robert Rohde and it's in C#. My application is in VB.NET but I thought the project so great I decided to make my own version in VB. It's virtually a line for line conversion of the original.
Download FileDialogExtenderVB.zip (32kb)
To use, (and find out what's going on) it's probably best to read the original project notes. Briefly, FileDialogExtender.vb needs to be present in your project. Embedd code that is similar to TestForm.vb in this download where you want the dialog to launch. Don't forget the Protected Overrides Sub WndProc as this does all the work. Happy coding. And many thanks to Robert Rohde.
Content Management System
I have built a full content management system to help web site owners to maintain their own data. It's possible to add, edit and delete pages, which updates the navigation and site map pages automatically. Up to 99 headings, images, text paragraphs and hyperlinks can be added, edited and deleted for each page. It uses SQL or XML to store the data. Using XML means a costly database need not be rented from a web host.
This system can be tried out online at www.contentengine.co.uk!
I have used this system to build www.letsalldance.co.uk.
Acid Test®
Whilst at Sweden, in 2003, I also helped build Acid Test(®), a sales management tool. It is also built in VB.NET. I did this work for Ideologue Solutions. Information about Acid Test(®) can be found at Outsource Sales. It was my first foray into the world of VB.NET and was thoroughly enjoyable.
TyroPad
TyroPad is the name of my ascii text editor application. I wrote it when at Vodafone Sweden, and it helped me analyse text files that were the daily output of two interfaces. I still keep it updated, and it's available for free download. Allows you to:
- edit multiple files at the same time
- change to your preferred text font and colour
- quickly find the last 10 text files that have been edited in TyroPad
- full edit facilities of copy, cut and paste
- undo facility
- print facility
- bi-directional find and find next
TyroPad can be downloaded at my dot net area. It runs on Windows XP. (Sorry Mac fans).
ProIV
Between 1990 and August 2005 I worked in the world of ProIV and the closely related Superlayer.
The most frequently asked question when I mention ProIV is "what’s ProIV?". It’s a 4th generation language, or 4GL. It runs on Unix and Windows systems, with a client/server architecture. It can interface to Ingress, DB2, SQL Server, Oracle and CISAM. Business logic is written using a variant of the Basic programming language. It is capable of displaying a near-Windows compliant GUI, with buttons, windows, and associated artefacts. In a client/server configuration using this GUI, it runs using its own client. It is also capable of running in 'vintage' mode, using an ascii (or 'green screen') front end. Who needs a mouse anyway?
It was one of several languages (or more accurately, applications) that were built at the end of the 1970’s to allow system developers to build applications more rapidly. (The alternatives at this time were few: Fortran, Pascal or C were the main options). It has since been developed over the years and is still used by several companies for stock control, billing and administration systems. I have developed in ProIV and Superlayer at CSC, CTS, and Vodafone Sweden as well as at ISIS.
The ProIV world has recently been shaken up with the arival of a VIP.
Reality
From 1987 to 1990 I coded in Data-Basic, Proc and English using the Reality Operating System. I worked in Reality at McDonnell Douglas which eventually transformed into Northgate Information Services.
By the way, Northgate’s Hemel Hempstead HQ has just been wiped out due to the Buncefield oil terminal fire. I worked here on occassions in the 1990’s...
