PC Forms: Multiple Forms in a Single Executable File (112893)

SUMMARY

With version 1.0 of Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer, it is possible to create a single executable file that contains multiple E-forms. By modifying the custom message declaration and adding code to the E-form project, a single executable file can be created that includes multiple forms. This can be useful if there is limited storage space for E-form executable files.

MORE INFORMATION

By adding additional information to the custom message command string, it is possible to pass information to the E-form executable file regarding which "instance" to load. In addition, modifying code in the EFORM.BAS file determines the steps to take for each form. This can be accomplished in two steps:

Step 1: Defining the Custom Message Class

For example, suppose the E-form executable file, SAMPLE.EXE contains two instances of E-forms you want to use. The entries in the [Custom Messages] section of the MSMAIL.INI would be as follows:

IPM.VendorName.Sample111=3.0;;Sample Form 1;;MEFLIB.DLL;
<MC:IPM.VendorName.Sample111>C:\EFORMS\SAMPLE.EXE -MSG -MYFLAG
<COMMAND><MESSAGEID>;1111111000000000;First Sample Form;;;

IPM.VendorName.Sample222=3.0;;Sample Form 2;;MEFLIB.DLL;
<MC:IPM.VendorName.Sample222>C:\EFORMS\SAMPLE.EXE -MSG -MYOTHERFLAG
<COMMAND> <MESSAGEID>;1111111000000000;Second Sample Form;;;

NOTE: Both custom message classes access the same executable file (SAMPLE.EXE). However, each entry includes a unique addition to the command string (-MYFLAG vs. -MYOTHERFLAG).

Step 2: Modifying the Code

The next step is to add code to the E-form project to determine what to do when a custom command line is passed. This can be accomplished by adding the following lines to the ParseCommandLine function defined in EFORM.BAS:

    ElseIf token Like "[-/]MYFLAG" Then
     'load form for the first E-Form
    ElseIf token Like "[-/]MYOTHERFLAG" Then
     'load form for the second E-Form

The code written in ParseCommandLine will determine what action is taken when a particular command string is passed.