Newbie Question - Frame or Form??

[ChrisB]

I have been asked to write an application (only my second) that will require the ability to perform several different tasks. I will be communicating with a remote device through the serial port (already have that part worked out).

I am trying to figure out if I should be setting up frames or forms to accomplish the different tasks.

In case number 1, I will be extracting real-time information from the device and need to display about 20 text boxes worth of information. No user interaction required

In case number 2, I will be "shooting" information into the device and will have several text boxes, list boxes and messages boxes that will be used. User interaction required.

In case number 3, I will be doing tasks that combine #1 and #2, but will have no boxes or controls in common with the above (other than the serial coms). User interaction required.

At no point in time will the user be doing anything more than one thing at a time (#1 and #3 will never happen together) I really would like to avoid the appearance of opening additional forms, at least on the task bar. If I have to use forms I'd prefer not to let the user see the minimize and maximize and close buttons.

From past experience, forms would be a better way to go from an organizational standpoint (mine), but frames would probably make the application look better.

What would you suggest?

TIA!!

[shub]

Why don't you just use an MDI form, and have several child forms within? That way only the main form will appear in the taskbar.

If you do not want the User to see the Min, Max and Close buttons, set the ControlBox property to False. To make the Form not appear in the TaskBar, set the ShowInTaskBar property to False.

[ChrisB]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I thought about the MDI form with child forms but I really don't want to have multiple child forms open at the same time. When they launch task 2 that's all I want them to see and do until they are complete.

I'll experiment with both suggestions. And open to others...

Thanks!!

c

I still would not recommend using Frames because your Application will look to cluttered, especially with the 20 TextBoxes. Also, seeing how you need to accomplish each task independent from one another, you can create a Form for each task and display and dismiss them respectivly. The downside, however, is that a Form consumes more resources.

[ChrisB]

Thanks Megatron, I'm using forms right now, just trying to position everything so it looks nice. Thanks for the advice.