Krools Common Controls - Documentation and an Update/Compile Utility
Version 3.5 is available for download at the bottom of this post. The program now handles all versions of VBCCRxx,OCX up through the current v1.8 and it handles all VBFLXGRDxx.OCX versions up through the just-released v1.7.
Krool has been developing a set of common controls replacements since 2012. I use them all the time and have found them to be an indispensable part of my VB6 programming library. I have developed some tools to make use of these controls easier which is the basis of this thread. There are 3 major items I cover:
A user guide. I stumbled through usage of these controls for quite some time and decided to share what I have learned with the community. This is not how to use each control; the controls are fairly similar to those we have been using for years. Rather, I cover
o There are 4 sets of controls. First, there are all of the controls in one package except for the FlexGrid control and it is in a different package. Then, for each of those there is a pre-compiled version (the OCX versions) and the source code you embed in your code versions Krool calls the StdEXE versions. Where are they, which ones should I use, how do I update them, etc.?
o What are the pros and cons of using the OCX versions versus the StdEXE versions? Is there some way to take advantage of the best features of each?
o What type libraries are required and in which versions of the controls?
o What are visual styles (themes) and how do I use them with Krool’s controls so my programs don’t have that Windows 95 look to them? These require manifest files embedded into resource files embedded into your programs. This sounds intimidating but once you see what’s required it’s not that difficult.
o What is “side-by-side” and can I use it with Krool’s controls? If so, how?
An update utility. I develop with the OCX versions of the controls which have progressed over time from version 1.0 in 2012 to the present version 1.7 (just to complicate matters the FlexGrid controls have gone from 1.0 to 1.6). To change from 1.6.12 to 1.6.13 is not too difficult but to go from 1.5 to 1.6 is not trivial. I have a utility that (hopefully) makes that a trivial exercise.
A compilation utility. I like to develop with the OCX version of the controls because there is one file to manage instead of 153, I don’t have to worry about type libraries and compilations times are at least 10 times faster. However, I like the StdEXE version in my final programs that I distribute because everything is in one executable file, I don’t have to be concerned with side-by-side and I don’t have to distribute anything to my users except that one executable file.
The update and compilation utilities are in the same program, the code for which is at the end of this post. Many of the modules in the utility are from my personal libraries and I think you may find some useful in other programs. I do have user guides for almost all of them if you are interested.
The user guide for Krool’s controls is a Word file also at the end of this post. If you can’t use the Word file please let me know what file format you can use and I’ll get it to you.
If you don’t use Krool’s controls you should really take a look at them. They are far superior to what is built in to VB6 and to any of the controls Microsoft or others have provided over the years for these types of controls.
This thread will be for the user guide and the utility. If you have questions on the control packages, bug reports, request for new features, etc. please do this in the appropriate thread of Krool’s.
Reply With Quote
