HOWTO: Using Visual FoxPro Online Help Without Installing MSDN (193765)

SUMMARY

Previous versions of Visual FoxPro used a WinHelp implementation for online help. Since WinHelp is included as part of the operating system, it is possible to simply copy a Windows help file (*.hlp) to the system and expect to be able to view the contents of the help file. Visual FoxPro 6.0 uses the HTML Help system for online context-sensitive help. In order to be able to view the HTML Help file for Visual FoxPro (FoxHelp.chm), the correct version of the HTML Help engine must be present. This article describes how to configure a system with the necessary version of the HTML Help engine without having to install the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).

MORE INFORMATION

Configuring the System with the HTML Help Engine

Insert the Visual FoxPro 6.0 CD or Visual Studio 6.0 Disk 1 CD.
Open the HTMLHelp folder on the CD.
Double-click the Htmlhelp.exe file.
Proceed through the HTML Help Workshop Setup.
Choose Custom Setup when given the option.
Choose only HTML Help in the Custom Setup options dialog box.
Complete the installation.

Once you have installed the HTML Help engine, you can view HTML Help files on this system. You can configure Visual FoxPro to use the help file directly from the CD, or you can copy the help file (FoxHelp.chm) to your Visual FoxPro directory. Use the Visual FoxPro Options dialog box to configure the location of the help file.

It is important to recognize that this method of installing online help for Visual FoxPro 6.0 is far from complete. This method enables you to view the Visual FoxPro help topics contained in the Foxhelp.chm file, but it does not provide online help for common components, such as ActiveX controls, Win32 API functions, and so forth. To ensure that you have installed all the documentation for the various components, it is recommended that you install the Microsoft Developer Network.