Microsoft (R) Visual Basic (TM) Professional Edition

Version 3.00
(C) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1993
This document contains release notes for Microsoft Visual Basic Professional
Edition version 3.0 for Windows.
*******************************************************************
Read Part 1 - Software Installation Information - before installing.
*******************************************************************
========
Contents
========
Part Description
---- -----------
1 Software Installation Information
2 Notes and Tips
3 Notes for "Learning Microsoft Visual Basic" Tutorial
4 Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic Online Help
5 Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Programmer's Guide"
6 Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Language Reference"
7 Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Custom Control Reference"
8 Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Data Access Guide"
=========================================
Part 1: Software Installation Information
=========================================
To install Visual Basic, use the Program Manager or File Manager to start
SETUP.EXE as you would any other Windows-based application. For example,
if you are installing from drive A:
- From the Program Manager File menu, choose Run.
- In the Run dialog box, type A:SETUP and choose OK.
Or
- From the File Manager, double-click the SETUP.EXE file icon
on drive A.
------------------------------------
File Sharing for OLE and Data Access
------------------------------------
You will need SHARE.EXE to enforce file and byte range locking if the
following programs are running simultaneously:
- Two Visual Basic applications that perform data access
- Two instances of one Visual Basic application that performs data access
- Microsoft Access and a Visual Basic application that performs data
access
If you are running Microsoft Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.1 (i.e. not
Windows for Workgroups), you will need to change your AUTOEXEC.BAT
as follows:
SHARE /L:500 /F:5100
If the /L or the /F setting to SHARE has a larger value than listed here,
leave the setting as it is rather than reducing it.
Please make this change as soon as possible in your system.
Note
----
If you ship .EXE files to users that use OLE or data access, they must
add this setting to their AUTOEXEC.BAT file as well.
-----------------------
Visual C++ and GRID.VBX
-----------------------
If you plan to install Microsoft Visual C++(TM) Development System for
Windows on your system, you may overwrite the grid control in your Windows
\SYSTEM directory. Before installing Visual C++, make a backup of GRID.VBX.
If you have already installed Visual C++, you can re-install GRID.VBX by
running Setup again, choosing the Custom Installation button, and then
selecting the Microsoft Visual Basic option.
-----------------------------------------------------
Using Visual Basic 3.0 with SQL Server and Access 1.0
-----------------------------------------------------
If you choose to install the SQL Server ODBC driver, you will find the file
INSTCAT.SQL in the \VB\ODBC directory. This is a stored procedure file that
the SQL Server administrator must run on the server to prepare the server to
accept Visual Basic as a client. However, this version of INSTCAT.SQL is
incompatible with Microsoft Access 1.0. If you are also using Access 1.0
as a client for that SQL Server, you should use the INSTCAT.SQL that was
included with Access 1.0. Visual Basic 3.0 will work correctly with
INSTCAT.SQL from Access 1.0 except that it will be unable to delete indexes
from tables.
----------------------
Setup and LZEXPAND.DLL
----------------------
Visual Basic's Setup program uses LZEXPAND to install ODBC. If you encounter
a system error while Visual Basic is calculating free disk space, check for
this file in your Windows \SYSTEM directory. If an older version of
LZEXPAND.DLL exists along your path, remove the file and continue with Setup.
======================
Part 2: Notes and Tips
======================
----------------------------------------------------
Data Access Compatibility - Visual Basic 2.0 and 3.0
----------------------------------------------------
The new functionality of the Microsoft Access engine in Visual Basic 3.0
will affect the behavior of your VB 2.0 code. Visual Basic 3.0 will
now assume that all SQL statements take the form of Access SQL (see the
Access documentation). You can passthrough SQL to ODBC; as a second
parameter to the CreateDynaset method, you must specify &H40 to indicate
SQL passthrough. Note that if you used backend-specific SQL with
CreateDynaset, you must add this parameter.
----------
ATI Driver
----------
If you have an ATI Wonder card, moving the data control around at design
time may cause a GP fault. Contact ATI for more information.
------------------------------------------------------
BackColor Displayed Incorrectly with 256-Color Bitmaps
------------------------------------------------------
If you have a 256-color bitmap in any control (or the form) that has a
BackColor property, it is possible that the background color of that object
will not display correctly if no color in the bitmap's palette matches the
background color.
----------------------------------
"Communication Link Failure" Error
----------------------------------
If you receive a "Communication Link Failure" error when executing queries
against a Microsoft or Sybase SQL Server, you can retry the operation with
asynchronous execution disabled. To do this, add the following entry to
your VB.INI file:
[Debug]
RmtTrace=16
Visual Basic will continue to run synchronously until this line is removed
from VB.INI.
---------------
OLE Class Names
---------------
To get a reference to a currently running OLE application by using its class
name, you must use:
GetObject(, "classname")
that is, GetObject has to have an empty file name. A file name of "" will
create a new instance of the server for class name. This is contradictory
to what is documented.
--------------------------------
OLE Control: In-Place Activation
--------------------------------
The Visual Basic OLE 2.0 control supports "Inside-Out Activation," which
corresponds to "activation on GetFocus." If a server designates this
capability and you specify AutoActivate = GETFOCUS, then:
- The object is initially deactivated the first time the control gets the
focus.
- The object is not fully deactivated when the control loses focus.
Instead, the object is directed to tear down any floating user interface
it may have, such as tool pallettes.
Note that AutoActivate = GETFOCUS is only supported if the server claims to
be "inside-out-capable," further reducing the possibility of looping
re-activation when a non-insitu server closes and gives focus back to the
control.
-----------------------------------------------
OLE Control: Pasting Objects from the Clipboard
-----------------------------------------------
Applications that provide objects behave differently when an object is
deleted. When you delete an OLE object (set Action = 10), the object's
application may or not close. If the application does close, any objects
on the Clipboard associated with that application may also be closed.
Because of this, you may not be able to cut an object (copy, then delete),
since deleting the object may also cause the data on the Clipboard to be
deleted.
Another instance of this behavior is when you try to copy an object, then
paste the object back onto itself. This action may cause an error, because
in order to paste over an existing object, the existing object is first
deleted. If the application associated with the object closes, and
subsequently deletes any objects it has on the Clipboard, the Clipboard no
longer contains an object to paste.
---------------------------------
OLE Control: The PasteOK Property
---------------------------------
The following applies to objects on the Clipboard that come from an OLE
object:
- When PasteOK returns True, there is no guarantee that the Paste operation
will succeed. For example, PasteOK returns True and the Paste fails when
there is a linked object on the Clipboard and you are pasting into an
object whose OleTypeAllowed property is set to 1 (Embedded).
- PasteOK returns False when there is a linked object on the Clipboard and
you are pasting into an object whose OleTypeAllowed property is set to
0 (Linked).
------------------------
OLE Control: Link Target
------------------------
You cannot activate a linked object as hidden (set Verb = -3). You can,
however, activate an embedded object as hidden.
-----------------------------
OLE Constants in CONSTANT.TXT
-----------------------------
OLE has also defined two new standard verbs relating to the two states that
an in-place-active object can have. The following corresponding constants
have been added to CONSTANT.TXT:
Constant Description
-------- -----------
VERB_INPLACEUIACTIVATE Object is fully in-place active, including floating
UI. Only one at a time per top-level form can be
in this state.
VERB_INPLACEACTIVATE Object is semi-active; it is running and ready to
respond to user input like clicking within the
object or changing the mouse pointer as the user
moves the mouse over different parts of the object.
Any number of objects can be in this state at a
time.
So, if you have a number of inside-out-capable objects on a form, where the
user has specified AutoActivate = ONGETFOCUS, the objects take turns at
being in-place-UI-Active. The new verbs allow the Visual Basic programmer to
cause these objects to be in the in-place-active state. For example, if you
want to create a form with several of these objects, and you want the form
to be as responsive as possible to user input, you would put the following
code for each control into your Form_Load event handler:
OLEControl.Verb = VERB_INPLACEACTIVATE
OLEControl.Action = OLE_ACTIVATE
See the file CONSTANT.TXT for more information.
------------------------------------
Windows 3.0 and the PopupMenu Method
------------------------------------
Under Windows 3.0, pop-up menus invoked during a MouseDown event in some
cases do not recognize menu selections made with the mouse. If that occurs,
you can still make a selection using the arrow keys and the Enter key.
------------------------------------------
Saving ASCII Forms in Source Code Managers
------------------------------------------
When using source code managers, you need to change the read-only bit on the
binary file (.FRX) as well as the form file (.FRM) to save the form.
--------------------------------
Crystal Reports for Visual Basic
--------------------------------
All prices in the Crystal Reports for Visual Basic editor, CRW.EXE, are
listed in US dollars.
If you are calling Crystal Services from outside the United States for
support or more information, please contact your local international
long distance carrier if you need assistance.
============================================================
Part 3: Notes for "Learning Microsoft Visual Basic" Tutorial
============================================================
-----------------------
Save Project Before Run
-----------------------
The Save Project Before Run Environment Option (under the Options menu)
should be set to "No" when running the "Learning Visual Basic" tutorial.
Some of the lessons may be impaired if this option is set to "Yes." By
default, this setting is "No."
====================================================
Part 4: Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic Online Help
====================================================
------------------
Error Message Help
------------------
Online Help is not available for dialogs or error messages that occur at
design time. For ISAM errors, use the Search dialog in Help.
--------------------------------
"Couldn't find installable ISAM"
--------------------------------
An external file dynamic link library (DLL) file couldn't be found. This
file is required for operations such as attaching or accessing external
tables.
Possible causes:
1) An entry in the [Installable ISAM] section in VB.INI or <APPNAME>.INI is
incorrect. For example, this error occurs if you're accessing a Paradox
external table, and the Paradox entry of the .INI file points to a
nonexistent directory. Exit Visual Basic, make necessary corrections in
VB.INI or <APPNAME>.INI using Microsoft Windows Notepad or another text
editor, restart Visual Basic, and try the operation again.
2) One of the entries in the [Installable ISAM] section in VB.INI points to
a network drive, and that drive isn't connected. Check to make sure the
network is available and the proper drive letter is established, and try
the operation again.
=============================================================
Part 5: Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Programmer's Guide"
=============================================================
Page Section/Note
---- ------------
188 The New Keyword
In the example at the top of the page, the local form
variable F is declared with the New keyword using the
Dim statement. To make the form variable and the
loaded form instance persist, use a Static or Global
variable instead.
194 Determining the Type of an Object Variable
You can use the If...TypeOf statement to determine the
control type of a custom control:
If TypeOf object Is objecttype
The identifier you use for 'object' is the class name of
the custom control. See the section "Specific Control
Object Types" (p. 186) for more information.
461 The Options Property
The constant values shown are in hexidecimal and should be
preceded with the &H notation. For example,
DB_SQLPASSTHROUGH = &H40, not decimal 40. See online Help
(Options Property) or the file DATACONS.TXT for the correct
values.
462 The RecordSource Property
The following text and example should be changed:
For example, the following SQL query returns all of the columns
in the bibliography for authors who live in New York:
Data1.DatabaseName = "BIBLIO.MDB"
Data1.RecordSource = "Select * from Titles where state = 'NY'"
Data1.Refresh
The above should read:
For example, the following SQL query returns all of the columns
in the bibliography for publishers based in New York:
Data1.DatabaseName = "BIBLIO.MDB"
Data1.RecordSource = "Select * from Publishers where state = 'NY'"
Data1.Refresh
465 Adding a New Record
 In the second paragraph in this section, the last sentence
should read, "Notice that using the buttons on the data
control or one of the Move methods to move to another record
will automatically save your added record."
530 Determining How an Object Is Displayed
In the first paragraph, the second sentence should read,
"the Icon check box," not "th eIcon check box."
550 Creating Invisible Objects
In the sample code, the following line has incorrect syntax:
MyWord = ObjVar.SuggestWord MyWord
The code should look like this:
MyWord = ObjVar.SuggestWord (MyWord)
552 Limitations in Visual Basic
Under the discussion "Arrays and User-Defined Types," the third
bulleted item should read: "You cannot...Assign the return value
of a property or method to an array variable or a variable of a
user-defined type."
554 Closing an Object
In the paragraph after the sample code, second sentence: It is
not true that invoking a Close method on an object sets variables
that refer to the object to Nothing.
582 Determining the Files You Need to Distribute
The following additional files are required for distributing
your Visual Basic applications:
DLL Name Required by (Professional Edition Only)
-------- ---------------------------------------
PDIRJET.DLL Crystal Reports for Visual Basic
PDBJET.DLL Crystal Reports for Visual Basic
MSAJT110.DLL Crystal Reports for Visual Basic
MSAES110.DLL Crystal Reports for Visual Basic
PDSODBC.DLL ODBC and Crystal Reports for Visual Basic
=============================================================
Part 6: Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Language Reference"
=============================================================
Page Section/Note
---- ------------
21-22 Action Property (OLE)
In the Settings table, in Setting 5, the reference to None in the
second sentence of the third paragraph should read as follows:
"If the Paste was not successful, the OleType property will be set
to 3 (None)." In Setting 12, the constant should be
OLE_READ_FROM_FILE, not ReadFromFile. In Setting 14, the constant
 should be OLE_INSERT_OBJ_DLG.
41 AutoActivate Property
In the Note, replace the words "the double-click event" with
"a DblClick event."
53 BorderStyle Property
The OLE control cannot have a setting of 2. Remove the setting and
description for Setting 2 in the OLE control table.
65 Check Box Control
Add DataField and DataSource to the Properties list.
82 Color Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (Color dialog)."
89 Common Dialog Control
Add "FilterIndex" and "MaxFileSize" to the Properties (File dialogs)
list.
93 Connect Property
In the Note, change "SourceTable" to "SourceTableName."
97 Copies Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (Print dialog)."
100 CreateDatabase Function
In the code example, replace "False" with "DBVERSION10." Also, in
the table above the code example, replace "DB_COMPACT_ENCRYPT" with
"DB_ENCRYPT."
111 Data Control
Add UpdateControls and UpdateRecord to the Methods list.
112 Database Object
In the Properties list, the QueryTimeout Property should be identified
as being available only in the Professional Edition.
117 DataText Property
In the code example, change the two instances of "MSDRAW" to
"MSGRAPH."
134 DefaultExt Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (File dialogs)."
185 Field Object
The Properties list should refer to SourceField and SourceTable, not
 SourceFieldName and SourceTableName.
195 FileTitle Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (File dialogs)."
Add the following to the Remarks section:
Note: If the OFN_NOVALIDATE flag is set, the FileTitle property will
not return a value.
198 Filter Property (Common Dialog)
At the beginning of the topic, add "Applies To...Common dialog (File
dialogs)." In the Remarks section, after the third paragraph, add
this text:
Here is an example of a Filter in which the user can choose text
files or picture files that include bitmaps and icons:
Text(*.txt)|*.txt|Pictures(*.bmp;*.ico)|*.bmp;*.ico
199 FilterIndex Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (File dialogs)."
229 Frame Control
Add the Name Property to the Properties list.
231 FromPage, ToPage Properties
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (Print dialog)."
240 GetAttr Function
The final Sub...End Sub block in code should read as follows:
Sub File1_Click ()
Const ATTR_READONLY = 1, ATTR_HIDDEN = 2 ' Declare constants.
Const ATTR_SYSTEM = 4, ATTR_ARCHIVE = 32
Dim Attr, FName, Msg ' Declare variables.
If Right(Dir1.Path, 1) = "\" Then ' See if root file.
FName = Dir1.Path & File1.FileName ' Get file path.
Else
FName = Dir1.Path & "\" & File1.FileName ' Get file path.
End If
Attr = GetAttr(FName) ' Get attributes.
If Attr > 7 Then Attr = Attr Xor ATTR_ARCHIVE ' Disregard Archive.
Select Case Attr ' Look up attributes.
Case 0: Msg = "Normal"
Case ATTR_READONLY: Msg = "Read-Only"
Case ATTR_HIDDEN: Msg = "Hidden"
Case ATTR_HIDDEN + ATTR_READONLY: Msg = "Hidden and Read-Only"
Case ATTR_SYSTEM: Msg = "System"
Case ATTR_READONLY + ATTR_SYSTEM: Msg = "Read-Only and System"
Case ATTR_HIDDEN + ATTR_SYSTEM: Msg = "Hidden and System"
Case ATTR_READONLY + ATTR_HIDDEN + ATTR_SYSTEM: Msg = "Read-Only,"
- + Msg = " Hidden, and System"
End Select
MsgBox UCase(FName) & " is a " & Msg & " file." ' Display message.
 End Sub
256 hDC Property
The Usage line should read:
{[form.] [commondialog. | picturebox.] | Printer.}hDC
Also, the second paragraph of the Remarks should read, "With a common
dialog control, this property returns a device context for the printer
selected in the Print dialog box when the..." (the rest of the text
remains the same).
258 Height, Width Properties
The See Also line should refer to the "Width # Statement," not the
"Width Statement."
274 Image Control
Add DataField and DataSource to the Properties list.
280 InitDir Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (File dialogs)."
297 KeyDown, KeyUp Events
The See Also should refer to the SendKeys Statement, not the SendKeys
Method.
299 KeyPress Events
The See Also should refer to the SendKeys Statement, not the SendKeys
Method.
303 Label Control
Add the DataField, DataSource, and Parent properties to the Properties
list.
336- ListFields Method
338
In the second table, the fifth and sixth entries in the Field column
should be SourceTable and SourceField, not SourceTableName and
SourceFieldName. The code example and the headings of the table
below it should also refer to SourceTable and SourceField.
345 ListTables Method
In Remarks, the first paragraph under the TableType field table should
read: "When you use the ListTables method to create a Snapshot, you
can evaluate the contents of the Attributes field in the Snapshot by
referring to the TableDef property settings table in the Attributes
property topic.
361 Max, Min Properties (Common Dialog)
At the beginning of the topic, add "Applies To...Common dialog (Font,
Print dialogs)."
363 MaxFileSize Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (File dialogs)."
390 Name Property
The "Applies To" line should include the Database object.
432 Partition Function
In the code in Example 3, the second five lines of code duplicate
the first five lines and should be deleted.
439 Picture Box Control
Add DataField and DataSource to the Properties list.
444 PopupMenu Method
In the Syntax line, there should be a comma immediately before the y.
455 PrinterDefault Property
The "Applies To" line should read "Common dialog (Print dialog)."
536- SourceFieldName, SourceTableName Properties
537
All references to SourceFieldName and SourceTableName in this topic
should refer to "SourceField" and "SourceTable" instead.
538 SourceTableName Property
There should be a full entry for the "SourceTableName" topic. See
online Help for the text of this topic.
565 Text Box Control
The second piece of art is incorrect. It should show a text box
on a form but instead shows a menu title and menu items on a form.
Also, add DataField and DataSource to the Properties list.
595 Validate Event
In the third paragraph following the Constants table, change "edit
buffer" to "copy buffer."
619 Trappable Errors
In Appendix B, the odd header is wrong. It should read "Trappable
Errors," not "Trappable Error Messages."
634 Trappable Error Messages
In Table B.6 ("Data Access Trappable Error Messages"), Error #3137
should be deleted.
===================================================================
Part 7: Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Custom Control Reference"
===================================================================
Page Section/Note
---- ------------
xxii Visual Basic Executable (.EXE) Files
The Visual Basic run-time file is listed incorrectly. The first
bulleted item should read VBRUN300.DLL, not VBRUN200.DLL.
147 Graph Control
In Example 1, the following line contains two "=" characters:
Graph1.LabelText = "Data point" = Str$(i%)
The line should read:
Graph1.LabelText = "Data point" + Str$(i%)
148 Graph Control
In Example 2, the following line contains two "=" characters:
Graph1.LabelText = "Label" = Str$(i%)
The line should read:
Graph1.LabelText = "Label" + Str$(i%)
176 Key Status Control
The table for the Value property incorrectly states that False is
the default value. The default value is determined by the state
of the keyboard.
180 MAPI Session Control
There should be no footnotes, since the MAPI controls are
only available in Visual Basic.
186 MAPI Messages Control
There should be no footnotes, since the MAPI controls are
only available in Visual Basic.
============================================================
Part 8: Notes for Microsoft Visual Basic "Data Access Guide"
============================================================
Page Section/Note
---- ------------
23 Creating New Table Definitions
Delete the following line of code from the example:
On Error Resume Next