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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: calamari on June 22, 2006, 10:33:02 AM

Title: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: calamari on June 22, 2006, 10:33:02 AM
I am in need of a very simple program that I have not been able to find on google (nor paid, nor free), and since I am just starting with programming (just because of this), I wanted to ask if anyone can help with this tiny project.

The program is nothing more than a windowless image that can be dragged around the desktop and is able to stay on top of other windows regardless of being on focus or not. There's a tray icon (bottom right corner) to close the program and to specify when is 'locked' (so it can't be dragged/focus).

Also, the image has 4 states:
1- normal
2- part of image highlights (when right click)
3- another par of image highlights (when left click)
4- yet another part of image highlights (when middle button on mouse is used)

these states are activated regardless of the program beign active/on focus or not (and locked or not).

Anyone?  8)
Title: Re: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: annguyen1981 on June 22, 2006, 11:19:54 AM
I'd help, but I haven't programmed in VB in like 6 years...  Kinda rusty
Title: Re: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: LimaXray on June 22, 2006, 11:22:24 AM
I could help you, aka make you the app, but I don't have visual studio on my machine at work.

Personally, I would use VB because it is SUPER easy.  (I assume C# is pretty easy too but I've never used it)  C++ is the best IMO (well next to C and ASM of course), but it's not nearly as user friendly or as forgiving.

Basically what you want to do is create a project with a module for the main subroutine and a windows form for the picture.  The main sub should initialize everything and call the picture form.  The picture form can then setup a tray icon (there is a MSDN how-to on this).  You can use the form designer to set up how the form looks and what not.  Then at the bottom of the form code, add action sub routines to do the different actions when you click.  

Look around the MSDN pages and download some sample win32 apps to get an idea how they are put together.  You may want to start off with a sample (like the tray icon sample) and work from there.
Title: Re: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: dracflamloc on June 22, 2006, 11:47:47 AM
Don't use .NET for such a small app. You'll use 100mb of ram just having the tray and image sitting there.

VB6 would be good if you're not comfortable with C but you'll still need to dive into the API to get that kind of functionality.
Title: Re: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: natedawg120 on June 22, 2006, 12:32:09 PM
What do you want to use to do it, and diving into the API can be fun  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: dracflamloc on June 22, 2006, 01:40:33 PM
As a beginner the Windows API is usually not fun.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Any C++, C#, VB programmers in here?
Post by: natedawg120 on June 22, 2006, 01:47:44 PM
Quote from: dracflamloc on June 22, 2006, 01:40:33 PM
As a beginner the Windows API is usually not fun.  :laugh:

i forgot to mention that befor you start using the API buy another keyboard, mouse and monitor cause by hour three on day 6++ you might want to break something  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: