[RESOLVED] Visual studio 2008 OPoS development issues

[AndyGable]

Hi everyone,

I have a slight problem with some software I am working on when i run the application it will get to this line in the GlobalSettings.vb

Public WithEvents OPoSScanner As New OposScanner_CCO.OPOSScanner

it will jump over this and everything else and then show me a blank form (as nothing else is being
loaded).

If I comment it out the application loads and runs fine, But the strange thing is I have 4 other applications
that is using the same line of code and it works perfectly fine on them.

I have tried the following
> Uninstall / reinstall the OPoS files
> Repair the install of my Visual basic 2008 install

I am not sure how to sort this as with out the OPoSScanner working I can not use the barcode reader at all
for scanning.

Some advice is most welcomed as I am not sure what to do. (if I need to delete a file or something Please can
some one explain what I need to do)

Why would one application work fine when another application that uses the same code base not work?
(is it just me that thinks this is strange or do other people think it is strange)

[jmcilhinney]

Does the Output window indicate any exceptions are being thrown in compiled code?

[AndyGable]

The only output I get is from the build output window and this is saying build 1 successful

If I remove the ' from the line the app starts up but things like

AppVersion = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly.GetName.Version.ToString
        BuildDate = RetrieveLinkerTimestamp(Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.FileName)
        BuildDate = FormatDateTime(BuildDate, DateFormat.LongDate)

Are not run I get just the form with no data set on it

if you can tell me where to look to get you more information then will be happy to do this for you

[Shaggy Hiker]

This really sounds like the old Form Load bug, but I don't remember enough about that to know whether or not it is even possible. You DID mention VS2008, which is far enough back that the bug was around, and it manifest in this way.

What was happening with that bug was that an exception would be thrown in the Load event of a form, the exception would quietly vanish, and nothing beyond that line in the Load event would happen, because execution of the Load event ended with the line that threw the exception.

The behavior sounds right, but your description doesn't quite match because you never suggested that this was happening as a result of any Load event. If that IS the case, then there's a solution, but if that isn't the case, then here's what I'd be trying: Don't be creating the object on that line. Declare it on the line, but create the object elsewhere and assign it to the variable then. This will do two things. First, it will allow you to further isolate the problem, because you'll have a chunk of code that you can put breakpoints on, wrap in an exception handler, and so forth. Second, it will move the problem to both a more tractable location and simply later.

Moving the creation and assignment later will let you prove that it really IS that line that is causing the problem, because the problem will still occur, it will just occur later, and you'll be able to prove that.

[AndyGable]

See what I can not work out is

    Public WithEvents PoSPrinter As New OposPOSPrinter_CCO.OPOSPOSPrinter
    Public WithEvents CashDrawer As New OposCashDrawer_CCO.OPOSCashDrawer
    Public WithEvents CustomerDisplay As New OposLineDisplay_CCO.OPOSLineDisplay
    Public WithEvents MSRSwipe As New OposMSR_CCO.OPOSMSR
    Public WithEvents OPoSScale As New OposScale_CCO.OPOSScale
    Public OPoSSpeaker As New OposToneIndicator_CCO.OPOSToneIndicator

all works loads as they should do but when it get to to this line

Public WithEvents OPoSScanner As New OposScanner_CCO.OPOSScanner

this is when it freaks out and misses any other code (stops etc)

I have tried to call the above code from a Public sub but vb.net will not let me call the code (and from what I have read on the
OPoS website the above codes have to be called at the start of the program.

This code is stored in my GlobalSettings.vb file and if i put a break point on it I can step through the code (as this is ran before any forms start)

This is the code that is behind my Startup Form

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Reflection
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices
Imports System.Net.Sockets

Public Class frmSplash
    Dim ScreenMode As String = ""

    Private Declare Sub keybd_event Lib "user32" (ByVal bVk As Byte, ByVal bScan As Byte, ByVal dwFlags As Integer, ByVal dwExtraInfo As Integer)

    Private Const VK_CAPITAL As Integer = &H14
    Private Const KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY As Integer = &H1
    Private Const KEYEVENTF_KEYUP As Integer = &H2

    Protected Overrides Sub WndProc(ByRef m As Message)
        If (m.Msg = &H112) AndAlso (m.WParam.ToInt32() = &HF010) Then Return
        If (m.Msg = &HA1) AndAlso (m.WParam.ToInt32() = &H2) Then Return
        MyBase.WndProc(m)
    End Sub

    Private Sub frmSplash_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        With Me
            .TopMost = True
            .Location = New Point(0, 0)
        End With

        FileName = Application.StartupPath & "\settings.ini"

        'Tender Control Files
        PoSTenderValues = Application.StartupPath & "\tender.dat"
        CardSummaryFileName = Application.StartupPath & "\cardsummary.dat"
        WestonUnionFileName = Application.StartupPath & "\westonunion.dat"

        SafeDropFileName = Application.StartupPath & "\safedropvalues.dat"

        RecallSaleFileName = Application.StartupPath & "\recall.dat"
        TransNumberFileName = Application.StartupPath & "\transnumber.dat"
        CurrentSaleFileName = Application.StartupPath & "\currentsale.dat"

        For Each s As String In My.Application.CommandLineArgs
            Select Case s.ToString
                Case "/Fullscreen", "/FULLSCREEN", "/FullScreen"
                    ScreenMode = "Fullscreen"
                    Me.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized

                Case "/Nomouse", "/NOMOUSE", "/NoMouse"
                    Windows.Forms.Cursor.Hide()
            End Select
        Next

        AppVersion = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly.GetName.Version.ToString
        BuildDate = RetrieveLinkerTimestamp(Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.FileName)
        BuildDate = FormatDateTime(BuildDate, DateFormat.LongDate)

        Dim d As Date
        d = BuildDate

        With Me
            .labVersion.Text = vbNullString
            .labVersion.Text = "Version : " & AppVersion & vbNewLine
            .labVersion.Text += "Built : " & Format(d, "dddd") & " " & Format(d, "dd") & " " & Format(d, "MMMM") & " " & Format(d, "yyyy")
        End With

        Me.Timer1.Interval = 1000
        Me.Timer1.Enabled = True
    End Sub

    Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
        If File.Exists(FileName) = False Then
            Timer1.Enabled = False
            My.Computer.Audio.PlaySystemSound(System.Media.SystemSounds.Asterisk)
            Dim Messagefunction As String = MessageBox.Show("Sorry it appears this PoS terminal is missing it's settings.ini file" & vbNewLine & "Click OK to exit the program and then please call algPoS" & vbNewLine & "So they can arrange to get a ini file installed for this terminal", AppName, MessageBoxButtons.OK)

            Select Case Messagefunction
                Case vbOK
                    End
            End Select
        Else
            Threading.Thread.Sleep(2000)

            Timer1.Enabled = False

            Me.Refresh()
            ItemCount = 0
            TotalDue = 0
            ItemQty = 1
            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")

            AddToStartupList("Loading Settings File Please Wait...")
            Me.Refresh()
            LoadPoSSettings_Boot()
            LoadTransNumber()
            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")


            ' Loading PoS Tenders
            AddToStartupList("Loading PoS Tender Data Please Wait...")
            Me.Refresh()
            LoadTenderValues()
            LoadCardDataInToDatabase()
            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")

            If CustomerDisplayActive = "Yes" Then
                If CustomerDisplayInterfaceType = "OPoS" Then
                    AddToStartupList("Initializing Customer Display Please Wait...")
                    Me.Refresh()
                    OpenConnectionToOPoSCustomerDisplay()
                    TestCustomerDisplay()
                    AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")
                End If

                If CustomerDisplayType = "Graphical" Then
                    client = New TcpClient(CustomerDisplayIPAddress, CustomerDisplayTCPPort)
                End If
            End If

            ' Establishing Connection to OPoS Hardware
            AddToStartupList("Initializing Receipt Printer Please Wait...")
            Me.Refresh()
            OPoSConnection()
            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")

            If ScannerAttached = 1 Then
                AddToStartupList("Initializing Barcode Scanner Please Wait...")
                Me.Refresh()
                OpenConnectionToOPoSScanner()
                AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")
            End If

            If ScaleAttached = 1 Then
                AddToStartupList("Initializing Scale Connection Please Wait...")
                Me.Refresh()
                OpenConnectionToOPoSScale()
                AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")
            End If

            If MSRActive = 1 Then
                AddToStartupList("Initializing MagSwipe Reader Please Wait...")
                Me.Refresh()
                OpenConnectionToOPoSSwipeCardReader()
                AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")
            End If

            If CashDrawerActive = 1 Then
                AddToStartupList("Initializing Cash Drawer Please Wait...")
                Me.Refresh()
                Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000)
                OpenConnectionToOPoSCashDrawer()
                AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")
            End If

            If SoundSettings = 2 Then
                AddToStartupList("Initializing Speaker Please Wait...")
                Me.Refresh()
                Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000)
                OpenConnectionToOPoSSpeaker()
                AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")


                AddToStartupList("Testing Speaker One Moment Please...")
                Me.Refresh()
                Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000)
                MakeNoise()
                AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")
            End If

            AddToStartupList("Initializes the Multisavers component Please Wait...")
            '' Initializes the Multisavers component
            MSCode_New_Init()
            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")

            Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000)

            'Sets CapLock so the PoS Keyboard would work
            SetFunctionKey("CapsLock", Control.IsKeyLocked(Keys.CapsLock))
            SetFunctionKey("NumLock", Control.IsKeyLocked(Keys.NumLock))

            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")

            Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000)
            Timer1.Enabled = False
            SaleMode = "Sale"
            ClearMenu()

            AddToStartupList("Reprinting store header Please wait...")
            PrintStoreHeader("")
            AddToStartupList_Done("Completed")

            Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000)

            If PayPoint_PayzoneName <> "None" Then SaleScreenMoreKeyActive += 1
            If WesternUnionActive = 1 Then SaleScreenMoreKeyActive += 1

            'put this where you want to turn caps lock on or off
            keybd_event(VK_CAPITAL, &H45, KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or 0, 0)
            keybd_event(VK_CAPITAL, &H45, KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0)


            Me.Hide()
            With frmBackground
                Select Case PrinterOption
                    Case "RequestOnly"
                        .picRecipitOff.Visible = True

                    Case "EndOfSale"
                        .picRecipitOff.Visible = False
                End Select

                .Location = New Point(0, 0)

                If ScreenMode = "Fullscreen" Then
                    .FormBorderStyle = Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.None
                    .WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized
                End If

                .Show()
                .Focus()
            End With
        End If
    End Sub

    Private Sub SetFunctionKey(ByVal KeyName As String, ByVal newState As Boolean)
        Select Case KeyName
            Case "CapsLock"
                If newState = False Then
                    ' Simulate the Key Press
                    keybd_event(VK_CAPITAL, &H45, KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or 0, 0)

                    ' Simulate the Key Release
                    keybd_event(VK_CAPITAL, &H45, KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0)
                End If

            Case "NumLock"
                If newState = False Then
                    ' Simulate the Key Press
                    keybd_event(VK_CAPITAL, &H90, KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or 0, 0)

                    ' Simulate the Key Release
                    keybd_event(VK_CAPITAL, &H90, KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0)
                End If
        End Select
    End Sub

    Private Sub ListStartUp_MeasureItem(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MeasureItemEventArgs) Handles ListStartUp.MeasureItem
        e.ItemHeight = e.Graphics.MeasureString(ListStartUp.Items(e.Index).ToString, ListStartUp.Font).Height
    End Sub

    Private Sub ListStartUp_DrawItem(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DrawItemEventArgs) Handles ListStartUp.DrawItem
        e.DrawBackground()
        Dim myBrush As Brush

        If ListStartUp.SelectedIndices.Contains(e.Index) Then
            myBrush = Brushes.White
        Else
            myBrush = Brushes.Black
        End If

        If e.Index >= 0 Then
            e.Graphics.DrawString(ListStartUp.Items(e.Index).ToString, ListStartUp.Font, myBrush, e.Bounds)
        Else
            e.Graphics.DrawString(ListStartUp.Items(0).ToString, ListStartUp.Font, myBrush, e.Bounds)
        End If
    End Sub
End Class

What i can not understand is this code is shared between 3 other programs (same code same method of declaring it and them other 3 work with no problems at all so has something broke with in the npos project?

[Shaggy Hiker]

Well, it's throwing an exception, as that's pretty clearly what the 'freaks out' is about. That exception is also being swallowed, or else the whole program would exit, but that's also kind of useless, as you don't know what the error is.

What do you mean when you say that VB won't let you call the code? That doesn't make much sense. I can understand why a device would want to be set up prior to...well, pretty much everything else, based on where you have it, but code is just code. What did you try in that sub?

[AndyGable]

Hi Everyone

Thank-you for all your advice and input on this matter I have fixed the issue.

What I did incase anyone wants to know is I deleted the following folders
> obj
> bin

Then I opened the project and rebuilt it and it now works with "Public WithEvents OPoSScanner As New OposScanner_CCO.OPOSScanner" un commented and all the OPoS Scanner code is working as well

Thank-you once again to everyone who put a input into this.