Add extra methods to objects?

[ColdSTone]

Is there someone who can tell me if it's possible to add some extra methods to an object?

In other words, is it possible to create textbox1.Email and textbox1.Something?

Thanks in advance, ColdSTone

[vbgladiator]

Yes, you can take the regular text box and create a better ActiveX control adding any methods/properties you wish.

[ColdSTone]

Ok, I understand, but how do I create that better ActiveX control?

Is there a special function for that?

Do you know a good tutorial?

ColdSTone

[vbgladiator]

www.vbworld.com

You'll find tuturials on creating activex controls.
It's a type of project in VB.

[Edneeis]

Or if you just want to add some functions you can also make a 'wrapper' class. Basically you make a class that contains the added functions and a textbox and link it to an existing textbox.

'class code we'll name it cTxtExtender
Private WithEvents useBox as TextBox
 
Public Property Get Box() as TextBox
   Set Box=useBox
End Proeprty
 
Public Sub Setup(txtbox as TextBox)'if you make this class outside of the exe then you'll have to switch it to object
   Set useBox=txtbox
   'now you can use that control and even receive events from it
End Sub
 
'add functions
Public Sub Email()
   'some error handling
   If useBox is nothing then
      Err.Raise vbObjectError + 512, "TextBox Extender", "Textbox not set yet."
      Exit Sub
   End If
 
   'add your email code here
End Sub
 
Private Sub Class_Terminate()
   Set useBox=Nothing
End Sub
 
 
'this is the form code or how to use it
Private TxtEx as New cTxtExtender
 
Private Sub Form_Load()
   TxtExt.Setup Text1
   'to use a function
   TxtExt.Email
   'to access normal textbox stuff either use the textbox directly or
   TxtExt.Box.Text="Hey there"
End Sub
 
Private Sub Form_Unload(Cancel As Integer)
   Set TxtEx=Nothing
End Sub

[FrancisC]

Very nice post from Edneeis...

I love clean and simple solutions like that...

[ColdSTone]

And how about adding extra properties?
Is this possible too?

ColdSTone

[Edneeis]

Sure but usually to access the custom properties you'd use the first level MyObject.CustomProp whereas accessing the actual textbox properties would have another level MyObject.Box.OriginalProp. Just make the properties in the class.