Q72907: Manipulating Program Manager Groups Using DDE Interface
Article: Q72907
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s):
Last Modified: 28-SEP-1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY
=======
The Microsoft Windows 3.0 Program Manager features a dynamic data exchange (DDE)
interface that allows other applications that support DDE (for example,
Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word for Windows) to control certain aspects of
Program Manager.
This can be done using any of the following commands:
CreateGroup() Instructs the Program Manager to create a
new group or activate the window of an
existing group.
ShowGroup() Instructs the Program Manager to maximize,
minimize, or restore a group window.
AddItem() Instructs the Program Manager to create a
new program item (icon) in the currently
active group window.
DeleteGroup() Instructs the Program Manager to delete
a group.
ExitProgman() Instructs the Program Manager to close.
This command is only available when Program
Manager is NOT the current Windows shell.
MORE INFORMATION
================
The section below describes each command in detail.
CreateGroup()
-------------
The following is the syntax for the CreateGroup() command:
CreateGroup(GroupName,GroupPath)
GroupName is a string that names the group to be created. If a group already
exists, with the name specified by GroupName, the group window will be
activated.
GroupPath is a string that contains the path to the group file. If this parameter
is omitted, Windows will use a default filename for the group in the Windows
directory. This parameter is optional.
ShowGroup()
-----------
The following is the syntax for the ShowGroup() command:
ShowGroup(GroupName,ShowCommand).
GroupName is a string that names the group window to be altered.
ShowCommand is an integer that specifies the action to be taken, based on the
following list:
Value Meaning
----- -------
1 Activates and displays the group
window, or restores the group window
if the group is currently iconic or
maximized.
2 Activates the group window and
displays it as iconic.
3 Activates the group window and
displays it as maximized.
4 Restores the group window in its
most recent size and position and
activates it (similar to Value 1).
5 Activates the group window in its
current size and position.
6 Minimizes the group window.
7 Displays the group window as
iconic. The window that is
currently active remains active.
8 Displays the group window in its
current state. The window that is
currently active remains active.
AddItem()
---------
The following is the syntax for the AddItem() command:
AddItem(CommandLine,Name,IconPath,IconIndex,xPos,yPos)
CommandLine is a string that contains the full command line required to execute
the application. At a minimum, this is the name of the application's executable
file. It can also be the full pathname of the application and any parameters
required by the application.
Name is a string that supplies the title displayed below the icon in the group
window. This parameter is optional.
IconPath is a string that contains the name of the file containing the icon to be
displayed in the group window. This can be either a Windows executable file or
an .ICO (icon resource) file. If you do not supply IconPath, Program Manager
uses the first icon in the file specified by CommandLine. If that file does not
contain an icon, then Program Manager uses a default icon (DOS icon). This
parameter is optional.
IconIndex is an integer that specifies the index of the icon in the IconPath file
that Program Manager is supposed to display. PROGMAN.EXE (Program Manager)
contains five built-in icons that you can use for Windows or non-Windows
programs. This parameter is optional.
xPos & yPos are integers that specify the horizontal and vertical position of
the icon within the group. You must use both parameters to specify the icon's
position. If you do not specify the position, Program Manager places the icon in
the next available space. These parameters are optional.
DeleteGroup()
-------------
The following is the syntax for the DeleteGroup() command:
DeleteGroup(GroupName)
GroupName is a string that names the group to be deleted.
ExitProgman()
-------------
The following is the syntax for the ExitProgman() command:
ExitProgman(bSaveState)
bSaveState is a boolean value that, if TRUE, instructs Program Manager to save
its state before closing. If bSaveState is FALSE, Program Manager does not save
its state.
REFERENCES
==========
"Windows Software Development Kit, Guide to Programming." Chapter 22, pages
19-22.
TIPS.TXT file from the Windows SDK
Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.0a 3.0
======================================================================
Keywords :
Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a
=============================================================================
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.
Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.