EhLib 3.4 --------- The Library contains components and classes for Borland Delphi versions 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 and Borland C++ Builder versions 4, 5 & 6. 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. Can sort data in various dataset's. Can filter data in various dataset's. 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. TDBEditEh component represents a single or multi-line edit control that can display and edit a field in a dataset or can works as non data-aware edit control. TDBDateTimeEditEh component represents a single-line date or time edit control that can display and edit a datetime field in a dataset or can works as non data-aware edit control. TDBComboBoxEh component represents a single or multi-line edit control that combines an edit box with a scrollable list and can display and edit a field in a dataset or can works as non data-aware combo edit control. TDBNumberEditEh component represents a single-line number edit control that can display and edit a numeric field in a dataset or can works as non data-aware edit control. TPropStorageEh, TIniPropStorageManEh, TRegPropStorageManEh components Components realize technology to store component properties to/from settings storage such as ini files, registry etc. -------------------- Installation Library -------------------- If you have executable installation program (for example, EhLibSetupD7Eval.exe) then you only need to run program and follow installation process. Setup automatically writes all units in necessary directory, installs packages and help files in IDE. To install files from self-extracting EhLib archive follow next instructions: 1. Delphi 8.x Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib (Old version) from Delphi IDE. Remove or copy to other directory files of old version to prevent crossing old and new version of EhLib (Including EhLib.dll, DclEhLib.dll files). Create directory from which you will install EhLib library ('EhLib directory') (for example, C:\Delphi8\EhLib). Copy files from Common and Delphi8 directories of the EhLib archive to 'EhLib directory'. In Delphi IDE: Add, (if needed) 'EhLib directory' in Component->Installed .NET Components ...-> Environment Options->Assembly Search Paths. Add, (if needed) 'EhLib directory' in Tools->Options->Environment Options-> Delphi Options->Library->Library Path. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the runtime package - EhLibXX.Dpk. In "Project Manager..." window, click right button above 'EhLibXX.Dll' and select "Build" menu to compile package. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the runtime package - DclEhLibXX.Dpk. In "Project Manager..." window, click right button above 'DclEhLibXX.Dll' and select "Install VCL Package" menu to install package. 2. Delphi 4.x - 7.x: -------------------- Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib (Old version) from Delphi IDE. Remove or copy to other directory files of old version to prevent crossing old and new version of EhLib (Including EhLib.bpl, EhLib.dcp or EhLibXX.bpl, EhLibXX.dcp files). Create directory from which you will install EhLib library ('EhLib directory') (for example, C:\Delphi[X]\EhLib). Copy files from Common and Delphi[X] directories of the EhLib archive to 'EhLib directory'. Use "File\Open..." menu item of Delphi IDE to open the runtime package - EhLibXX.Dpk. In "Package..." window click "Compile" button to compile the package. By default Delphi (5, 6 and 7) place compiled EhLibXX.BPL file to the \Projects\Bpl directory and this directory already present in the search PATH. But if you overwrite default BPL directory then you need put compiled EhLibXX.BPL file into directory that is accessible through the search PATH (i.e. DOS "PATH" environment variable; for example, in the Windows\System directory). Add, (if needed) 'EhLib directory' in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. After compiling run-time package you must install design-time package DclEhLibXX.BPL into the IDE. Use "File\Open..." menu item to open design-time package DclEhLibXX.Dpk. In "Package..." window click "Compile" button to compile the package and then click "Install" button to register EhLib components on the component palette. EhLib components have to appear on 'EhLib' page of components palette. 3. C++Builder 4.x - 6.x: ------------------------ Uninstall previous or evaluation version of EhLib from C++Builder IDE. Remove or copy to other directory files of old version to prevent crossing old and new version of EhLib (Including EhLib.bpl, EhLib.bpi or EhLibB[X].bpl, EhLibB[X].bpi files). Create directory from which you will install EhLib library ('EhLib directory') (for example, C:\CBuilder[X]\EhLib). Copy files from Common and BCB[X] directories of the EhLib archive to 'EhLib directory'. Use "File\Open..." menu item of C++Builder IDE to open the runtime package - EhLibB[X].Dpk. In "Package..." window click "Compile" button to compile the package. By default Builder (5 and 6) place compiled EhLibB[X].BPL file to the \Projects\Bpl directory and this directory already present in the search PATH. But if you overwrite default BPL directory then you need put compiled EhLibB[X].BPL file into directory that is accessible through the search PATH (i.e. DOS "PATH" environment variable; for example, in the Windows\System directory). Add, (if needed) 'EhLib directory' in Tools->Environment Options->Library-> Library Path. After compiling run-time package you must install design-time package DclEhLibB[X].BPL into the IDE. Use "File\Open..." menu item to open design-time package DclEhLibB[X].BPL. In "Package..." window click "Compile" button to compile the package and then click "Install" button to register EhLib components on the component palette. EhLib components have to appear on 'EhLib' page of components palette. 4. Instalation note for users who had EhLib 1.X or 2.X: ------------------------------------------------------ Note that Delphi IDE does not move components to the new default place on components palette when you install new version of same component(s). So if you already has EhLib installed, then installation new (3.0) version does not move EhLib components to the 'EhLib' page. To force Delphi IDE to move compontes to the default place on components palette do next: Open menu: Component->Configure Palette. Select '[All]' line in Pages listbox. Click 'Default Pages' button. Installation Help ----------------- 1. This version of library doesn't have help files for Delphi8. 2. Delphi 4.x - 7.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the Delphi 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. C++Builder 4.x - 6.x: Copy the EhLib.hlp and EhLib.cnt files to the C++Builder 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. Requare EhLibBDE.Pas file from DataService directory of EhLib archive. 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 new versions of EhLib FREE till version 4.0. 3. 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 4 (Build 14.11) Update Pack 1 + "C++BUILDER 4 UPDATE PACK 2" C++ Builder 5 (Build 12.34) Update Pack 1 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. About author ------------ Contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions: Programmer: Dmitry V. Bolshakov www: http://www.ehlib.com E-mail: support@ehlib.com ICQ # 10785451