EhLib 1.7 ---------- The Library contains components and classes for Borland Delphi versions 3, 4, 5 & 6 and Borland C++ Builder versions 3, 4 & 5. TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- Overview Installation Library Installation Help Demonstration Programs Registering and Prices Other information About author Overview -------- The Library contains several components and objects. TDBGridEh component TDBGridEh provides all functionality of TDBGrid and adds several new features as follows: Allows to select records, columns and rectangle areas. Special titles that can correspond to several/all columns. Footer that is able to show sum/count/other field values. Automatic column resizing to set grid width equal client width. Ability to change row and title height. Allows automatic broken of a single line long title and data row to a multiline. Title can act as button and, optionally show a sort marker. Automatically sortmarking. Ability to truncate long text with ellipsis. Lookup list can show several fields. Incremental search in lookup fields. Frozen columns. DateTime picker support for TDateField and TDateTimeField. Allows to show bitmaps from TImageList depending on field value. Allows to hide and track horizontal or vertical scrollbars. Allows to hide columns. Allows to show 3D frame for frozen, footer and data rows. Allows to draw memo fields. Multiline inplace editor. Proportional scrolling independently of sequenced of dataset. Automatically show checkboxes for Boolean fields. Allows to show checkboxes for other type of fields. Has a procedures to save and restore layout (visible columns, columns order, columns width, sortmarkers, row height) in/from registry or ini file. Allows to show hint (ToolTips) for text that don't fit in the cell. Allows to export data to Text, Csv, HTML, RTF, XLS and internal formats. Allows to import data from Text and internal formats. TDBLookupComboboxEh component Provides all functionality of TDBLookupCombobox and adds several new features as follows: Can have flat style. Allows assign values as to KeyValue property just and to display Text property. Allows to type (assign) values to Text property not contained in data list (Style = csDropDownEh). Allows to hold KeyValue and Text as not affecting to each other values. Take effect when KeyField, ListField, ListSource, DataField and DataSource properties is empty. Drop down list can: Show titles, Have sizing grip, Automaticaly set width as sum of DisplayWidth of the list fields (Width = -1), Automaticaly drops on user pressed the key. Edit button can: Show DropDown, Ellipsis or Bitmap image. Have specified width. Have additional events: OnKeyValueChanged, OnButtonClick. TDBSumList component This component is intended for totaling sums and amounts of records in a TDataSet with dynamic changes. Component keeps a list of TDBSum objects, which contains types of group operations (goSum or goCount) and name sum field (goCount name of field is unnecessary). TPrintDBGridEh component TPrintDBGridEh provides properties and routines for preview and print of TDBGridEh component with several features: Ability to expand rows vertically until all text is printed. Ability to scale grid to fit it to page width. Ability to print/preview title for grid. Ability to print/preview page header and page footer where you can specify macros for current page, current date, current time and/or static text. Automatically print/preview multiselected area of TDBGridEh if it area is not empty. Ability to print/preview rich text before and after grid. TPreviewBox component TPreviewBox lets you create a customizable runtime preview. TPrinterPreview object TPrinterPreview lets you to record printable data in buffer for following output them on screen and to printer. TPrinterPreview have all functions and properties as in TPrinter object. You can use TPrinterPreview object similarly of TPrinter except some details. In TPrinter Printer.Canvas.Handle and Printer.Handle is the same but in TPrinterPreview PrinterPreview.Canvas.Handle represent the metafile in that is recored the data and PrinterPreview.Handle represent Printer.Handle. That is mean that you have to use PrinterPreview.Canvas.Handle for draw operation (DrawText, DrawTexteEx, e.t.c.) and use PrinterPreview.Handle in functions that return information about printer facilities (GetDeviceCaps, e.t.c.). Global function PrinterPreview returns default PrinterPreview object and shows data in default preview form. Installation Library -------------------- 1. Delphi 6.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from Delphi 6 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and Delphi6 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.DPK. In "Package..." window click "Install" button to install the library. Add, (if need) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. 2. Delphi 5.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from Delphi 5 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and Delphi5 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.DPK. In "Package..." window click "Install" button to install the library. Add, (if need) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. 3. Delphi 4.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from Delphi 4 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and Delphi4 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.DPK. In "Package..." window click "Install" button to install the library. Add, (if need) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. 4. Delphi 3.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from Delphi 3 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and Delphi3 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.DPK. In "Package..." window click "Install" button to install the library. Add, (if needed) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. 5. C++Builder 5.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from C++Builder 5 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and BCB5 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of C++Builder IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.BPK. Then use "Project\Make..." or "Project\Build..." menu item to compile package EhLib.BPK. Use "Component\Install packages..." menu item to open "Packages" dialog box. Then click "Add..." button and locate EhLib.BPL from the EhLib directory and click "OK" to install package into IDE. Add, (if needed) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. 6. C++Builder 4.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from C++Builder 4 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and BCB4 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of C++Builder IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.BPK. Then use "Project\Make..." or "Project\Build..." menu item to compile package EhLib.BPK. Use "Component\Install packages..." menu item to open "Packages" dialog box. Then click "Add..." button and locate EhLib.BPL from the EhLib directory and click "OK" to install package into IDE. Add, (if needed) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. 7. C++Builder 3.x: Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from C++Builder 3 IDE. Remove or copy to other directory this files to prevent crossing this and new version of EhLib. Copy files from Common and BCB3 directories to your EhLib directory. Use "File\Open..." menu item of C++Builder IDE to open the EhLib package EhLib.BPK. Then use "Project\Make..." or "Project\Build..." menu item to compile package EhLib.BPK. Use "Component\Install packages..." menu item to open "Packages" dialog box. Then click "Add..." button and locate EhLib.BPL from the EhLib directory and click "OK" to install package into IDE. Add, (if needed) EhLib directory in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. Installation Help ----------------- 2. Delphi 6.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the Delphi 6 HELP subdirectory. Select Help|Customize to start the OpenHelp application. Add the EhLib.cnt file to the Contents page, add the EhLib.hlp file to the Index and Link pages. 2. Delphi 5.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the Delphi 5 HELP subdirectory. Select Help|Customize to start the OpenHelp application. Add the EhLib.cnt file to the Contents page, add the EhLib.hlp file to the Index and Link pages. 3. Delphi 4.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the Delphi 4 HELP subdirectory. Select Help|Customize to start the OpenHelp application. Add the EhLib.cnt file to the Contents page, add the EhLib.hlp file to the Index and Link pages. 4. Delphi 3.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the Delphi 3 HELP subdirectory. Add string ":Link EhLib.HLP" to the "Third-Party Help" section of DELPHI3.CFG. If the DELPHI3.GID file exists, delete it so that it will be recreated with the new help files linked in. 5. C++Builder 5.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the C++Builder 5 HELP subdirectory. Select Help|Customize to start the OpenHelp application. Add the EhLib.cnt file to the Contents page, add the EhLib.hlp file to the Index and Link pages. 6. C++Builder 4.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the C++Builder 4 HELP subdirectory. Select Help|Customize to start the OpenHelp application. Add the EhLib.cnt file to the Contents page, add the EhLib.hlp file to the Index and Link pages. 7. C++Builder 3.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the C++Builder 3 HELP subdirectory. Select Help|Customize to start the OpenHelp application. Add the EhLib.cnt file to the Contents page, add the EhLib.hlp file to the Index and Link pages. Demonstration Programs ---------------------- Demonstration programs use tables from the DEMOS directory and BDE alias "DBDEMOS". DEMOS/DEMO1 - Demonstration of use TDBGridEh, TPrintDBGridEh, TDBLookupComboboxEh and TPreviewBox. DEMOS/DEMO2 - Demonstration of use TDBSumList Registering and Prices ---------------------- The EhLib is a Shareware product. If you find it useful and want to receive the latest versions please register your evaluation copy. Ehlib - without source: $54 EhLib - source included: $87 You can read detail information about registration in ORDERS directory or at http://www.shareit.com/programs/102489.htm. After registration you will receive (e-mail only) address of registered version for downloading and password for unpacking. By registering the components you get the following advantages: 1. You will be notified about new versions of the library. 2. You will receive EhLib version 2.0 FREE. See announcement about EhLib version 2.0 at file EhLib2.txt 3. You will receive new versions of EhLib FREE till version 3.0. 4. You encourage the author do make the components even better. Other information ----------------- (1) Information for user who is going to install evaluation version of EhLib or Ehlib - without source: To avoid problem with installation check that your Delphi or C++ Builder Build number is equal of Delphi or C++ Builder Build number under which EhLib was compiled. Otherwise you can get next error "Unit was compiled with different version of ". See Build number of Delphi and C++ Builder under which EhLib was compiled below: C++ Builder 3 (Build 3.70) + "C++ Builder 3.0 Patch #1" C++ Builder 4 (Build 14.11) Update Pack 1 + "C++BUILDER 4 UPDATE PACK 2" C++ Builder 5 (Build 12.34) Update Pack 1 Delphi 3 (Build 5.83) + "Delphi 3 Maintenance Release 2" + "Delphi 3 SLIB Maintenance Release 2" Delphi 4 (Build 5.108) Update Pack 3 Delphi 5 (Build 6.18) Update Pack 1 Delphi 6 (Build 6.163) (2) Information for user who already have old version of TDBGridEH or TDBSumList or EhLib installed: Before installation this version of EhLib uninstall previous version of TDBGridEh or TDBSumList or EhLib from IDE and remove or copy this files to other directory to prevent crossing of new and old files. (3) In design time mode under Delphi 6 you can get access violation exception whereupon you have to close Delphi IDE and open again to dispose it. Exception raise in next case. Open the columns editor window for DBGridEh (Double click to grid). Select any column to Object Insperctor. Open footers collection editor window (Property Footers). Close source code of the unit that contain grid. (Select source code of the unit and press Ctrl-F4). Footers collection editor window will not closed. Any attempts to close footers collection editor window will raise exception. Solution: Close the footers collection editor window right after changing of the footer properties. About author ------------ Contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions: Programmer: Dmitry V. Bolshakov (4232)40-60-41 (voice in Russia) Home page: http://www.farpost.com/personal/dmitryb E-mail: dmitryb@tax25.marine.su ICQ # 10785451