How To Add Icons After Distributed Setup Program Is Run (114228)

SUMMARY

More icons can be added to your application group after the Setup program is run for a distributed application created with the FoxPro for Windows Distribution Kit. You can add these icons by using dynamic data exchange (DDE) to send commands to the Windows Program Manager.

MORE INFORMATION

After running the Setup program for your distributed application, users may want to add other icons and program groups for help or README files. By using DDE to send commands to the Windows Program Manager, you can create a new program group or add items to existing program groups.

The following example shows how to initiate a DDE channel to the Windows Program Manager, create a program group called "My Application", and add an item with a particular icon (in this case the Help icon that comes with FoxPro).

   iChannel = DDEInitiate("Progman","Progman")
   = DDEExecute(iChannel,;
    "[Additem(c:\myapp\readme.txt,tty,;
    c:\foxprow\goodies\bitmaps\fox\help.ico,0)]")
   = DDETerminate(iChannel)

This program can then be compiled into an .EXE file. At the end of the Setup program, you can tell your users to run this .EXE file after installing the application.

REFERENCES

Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) "Programmer's Reference Volume 1: Overview," version 3.1, Chapter 17.2, "Command-String Interface"

FoxPro for Windows "Developer's Guide," version 2.5, Chapter 12, "Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)"

FoxPro Distribution Kit for Windows "User's Guide," version 2.5, Chapter 4, "Creating Distribution Disks"