C# Discussion Boards - CodeProject

KeyPress ASCII/Form Container questions...

28-Feb-05 3:48

see the problem is, that I need to escape the contents of the variable, not the variable itself. so escaping it would place the variable into the text, rather than its contents. also, as earlier, the " symbol would stop the escape before the correct " symbol is reached. this would mess things all up.

new_phoenix27-Feb-05 8:09

27-Feb-05 8:09

Question #1: ASCII Collating Sequence:

I would like my application to utilize some keyboard shortcuts like the UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, TAB KEY, and SHIFT KEY. I would like to implement them into a KEYPRESS event at the form level but I do not know what the ASCII collating sequence is to represent them in the KEYPRESS event.

Here is my code so far:

<br />
this.KeyPress += new System.Windows.Forms.KeyPressEventHandler(this.Form1_KeyPress);<br />
<br />
public Form1_KeyPress(object sender, KeyPressEventArgs e)<br />
{<br />
  if (e.KeyChar == (char)13)<br />
  {<br />
     statusBar.Hide()<br />
     e.Handled;<br />
  }<br />
  else<br />
  {<br />
     statusBar.Show();<br />
     e.Handled;<br />
  }  <br />
}<br />

I looked throught the VS.NET help files and through the internet but could not find the aforementioned ASCII code numbers nor how to specifically represent them at the form level so that they would be triggered by their respective key press events. Would appreciate some assistance at examining this issue in more detail.

Question #2: Form Container:
I would like my application to have the forms incorporated inside the main form and not as separate forms all over the screen. When the main form moves, I would like the children forms to be moved as well, and when the main form minimizes, I would like the child form to be minimized INSIDE of the main form rather than inside of the windows minimization bar at the bottom of the screen. I looked through all of my C# books, and have not encountered this mentioned in any of my classroom studies. Could somebody kindly point me in the right direction? I would really appreciate the input. Thanks

S. Senthil Kumar27-Feb-05 9:01

S. Senthil Kumar

27-Feb-05 9:01

Question 1: You must listen for the KeyDown event, IIRC, arrow keys don't trigger KeyPress. And the KeyDownEventArgs has a enumeration that lists all arrow keys..

Question 2 : You are looking for MDI (Multiple Document Interface) forms. Look for the MDIParent property of the Form class.

Regards
Senthil
My Blog

new_phoenix27-Feb-05 9:53

27-Feb-05 9:53

S. Senthil Kumar:

I have found the MDIParent property in the Form class as you had suggested, but I am uncertain how to implement it. Puzzling thing is though, why isn't the MDIParent property available in the Properties window, is it an abstract class or something? Do I implement it in the child class like this in the onLoad event like so:

frmMainForm frm = new frmMainForm();
this.MDIParent = frm;

and should I select isMDIParent in the Main Form first? Trouble is, when I do select isMDIParent to true, the background color shifts for some reason to a light gray. An alternative optional guess of how to implement the MDIParent property would be to put

frmChildForm frmChild = new frmChildForm();
this.MDIChild = frmChild;

into either the form designer section with all of the variable assignments, or into the onLoad button for the frmMainForm form. What IS the PROPER way to implement an MDI form in C#?

Also, with regard to the implementation of the KeyDown event, how would I implement a KeyDown event trap for the UP and DOWN arrows for example?

Dennis C. Dietrich27-Feb-05 9:03

Dennis C. Dietrich

27-Feb-05 9:03

new_phoenix wrote:
I would like my application to utilize some keyboard shortcuts like the UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, TAB KEY, and SHIFT KEY. I would like to implement them into a KEYPRESS event at the form level but I do not know what the ASCII collating sequence is to represent them in the KEYPRESS event.

Not all of the keys you mentioned have a corresponding ASCII Character Code[^]. Therefore I suggest you use the Control.KeyDown Event[^] instead. You can find out which key has been pressed by checking the KeyEventArgs.KeyCode Property[^]. For example:

private void Form1_KeyUp(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs e)
{
  if (e.KeyCode == Keys.PageUp)
    MessageBox.Show("PageUp pressed");
}

new_phoenix wrote:
I would like my application to have the forms incorporated inside the main form and not as separate forms all over the screen. When the main form moves, I would like the children forms to be moved as well, and when the main form minimizes, I would like the child form to be minimized INSIDE of the main form rather than inside of the windows minimization bar at the bottom of the screen.

This is called MDI application (see Multiple document interface[^]). You can find a lot of information about how to create MDI applications on MSDN (see Multiple-Document Interface (MDI) Applications[^]).

Best regards
Dennis

new_phoenix27-Feb-05 9:58

27-Feb-05 9:58

Dennis C. Dietrich:

I have found the MDIParent property in the Form class as you had suggested, but I am uncertain how to implement it. Puzzling thing is though, why isn't the MDIParent property available in the Properties window, is it an abstract class or something? Do I implement it in the child class like this in the onLoad event like so:

frmMainForm frm = new frmMainForm();
this.MDIParent = frm;

and should I select isMDIParent in the Main Form first? Trouble is, when I do select isMDIParent to true, the background color shifts (for some reason) to a light gray, even when I change the background color back to the preferred designated color. An alternative optional guess of how to implement the MDIParent property would be to put:

frmChildForm frmChild = new frmChildForm();
this.MDIChild = frmChild;

into either the form designer section with all of the variable assignments, or into the onLoad button for the frmMainForm form. What IS the PROPER way to implement an MDI form in C#?

Also, with regard to the implementation of the KeyDown event, could I implement a KeyDown event at the form level? How would I implement a KeyDown event trap for the UP and DOWN arrows for example? Using your code as an example, could you kindly assist me in correcting this revised code, and please explain to me why the code is not being triggered by pressing the TAB button:

<br />
this.KeyDown += new System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventHandler(this.frmSolitaireMainForm_KeyDown);<br />
<br />
private void frmSolitaireMainForm_KeyDown(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs e)<br />
{		<br />
	if (e.KeyCode == Keys.Tab)<br />
	{<br />
		if (statusBar.Visible == true)<br />
		{<br />
			statusBar.Hide();<br />
			e.Handled=true;<br />
		}<br />
		else<br />
		{<br />
			statusBar.Show();<br />
			e.Handled=true;<br />
		}<br />
	}<br />
}<br />

Dennis C. Dietrich27-Feb-05 10:49

Dennis C. Dietrich

27-Feb-05 10:49

new_phoenix wrote:
I have found the MDIParent property in the Form class as you had suggested, but I am uncertain how to implement it.

I didn't suggest that. That was Senthil.

new_phoenix wrote:
Puzzling thing is though, why isn't the MDIParent property available in the Properties window, is it an abstract class or something?

This makes perfectly sense. The Form.MdiParent Property[^] is of the type Form[^]. Accordingly you need to assign an instance of that class and that of course is only possible at runtime.

new_phoenix wrote:
Do I implement it in the child class like this in the onload event like so:

I'm wondering if you actually read the information on MSDN I mentioned. It's all explained there including working code samples. So, again please check out Multiple-Document Interface (MDI) Applications[^] (especially Creating MDI Child Forms[^]).

new_phoenix wrote:
and should I select isMDIParent in the Main Form first?

If you don't set the Form.IsMdiContainer Property[^] to true you'll get an exception when trying to show a MDI Child.

new_phoenix wrote:
Also, with regard to the implementation of the KeyDown event, how would I implement a KeyDown event trap for the UP and DOWN arrows for example?

There isn't anything like an "event trap". I suggest you read some paragraphs about event handling and delegates (see Events Tutorial[^] and Delegates Tutorial[^]). The code I posted in my previous message is an example for an event handler for the Control.KeyDown Event[^]. As the type of the KeyEventArgs.KeyCode Property[^] is Keys[^] and Keys is an enumeration[^] you don't have to define the key codes yourself.

Best regards
Dennis

new_phoenix27-Feb-05 11:21

27-Feb-05 11:21

Dennis:

Thanks! The resources you had provided will be very helpful. I was just reading through it and it will take some time to digest. This is a new concept to me and I have not implemented it before - not covered in school very well. I appreciate the direction toward more information about the implementation of events and delegates as the textbooks that I have read do not cover it very well.

Thanks again!

New_Phoenix

Re: Access Registry files

S. Senthil Kumar27-Feb-05 11:53

S. Senthil Kumar

27-Feb-05 11:53

Did you try setting the form's KeyPreview property to true?

Regards
Senthil
My Blog

Access Registry files

Anthony Mushrow27-Feb-05 7:09

Anthony Mushrow

27-Feb-05 7:09

How can i get to the registry files and add keys and stuff using C#?

Dennis C. Dietrich27-Feb-05 7:36

Dennis C. Dietrich

27-Feb-05 7:36

The Undefeated wrote:
How can i get to the registry files and add keys and stuff using C#?

Use the Registry Class[^] and the RegistryKey Class[^] from the Microsoft.Win32[^] namespace. There are also some articles here on the Code Project (All Topics, C#, .NET >> C# Programming >> Registry[^]) which cover this topic.

Best regards
Dennis

Context menu in Word using C#

User 4886927-Feb-05 6:00

User 48869

27-Feb-05 6:00

Hello,

How do I make an add-in that when someone right clicks on any selected text, that in a context menu that appears an option appears that I have made(don't know how to do) does executes a bit of code..

Thanks in advance..

modified 19-Aug-21 21:01pm.

multiline programmatically formatting text

Pyro Joe27-Feb-05 5:15

27-Feb-05 5:15

hi,
I know how to format a paragraph programmatically, using "\r" to return to the next line in a rich text box, and continue adding text to the next line. but there are a couple problems I've run into doing this. first, I hate putting a giant paragraph on a single line, cause it makes the (i think it's called) buffer really wide, kinda like not turning on word wrap. Secondly, my main problem is, it takes a long time to insert all the + "\r" + "text "\r", etc. is there an easier way to do this? if not, someone should make a tutorial with an app. I thought about trying to do this myself, but I don't know how to use regular expressions very well, which seems the best way to go about making an app that could do this. that could automatically reveal formatting. Keep in mind, I would like to insert this text at the current cursor position. thanks for the help,
Stephen

Heath Stewart27-Feb-05 5:45

27-Feb-05 5:45

A "buffer" is a block of memory that holds data. The text buffer (a char[] array, actually) will be even larger if you insert return codes because you'll be including 1-2 extract characters every so often. How the buffer is displayed is a user interface.

If you want to insert a return code you must use the correct return code for the underlying platform. The Environment.NewLine property abstracts this detail away from you, since - on Windows - the actual new line constant is "\r\n". For console output you can use simply "\n" which gets translated appropriately, but for most text you should use Environment.NewLine. For example:

string value = string.Format("This is a{0}broken line.{0}This is a separate line.", Environment.NewLine);
label1.Text = value;

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Software Design Engineer
Developer Division Sustained Engineering
Microsoft

[My Articles] [My Blog]

Pyro Joe27-Feb-05 6:19

27-Feb-05 6:19

thanks for the help. I was wandering though,is there a way to actually reveal formatting. like, insert text into one richTextBox and then ouput the text with the formatting symbols ("\r\n"), or the thing you showed me in a second richTextBox? This would be very very helpful to me. thanks again.

Pyro Joe27-Feb-05 6:36

27-Feb-05 6:36

ok I think I figured it out. one thing though, how do I insert the text "\r\n" as text, without using it as actual formatting.

S. Senthil Kumar27-Feb-05 7:13

S. Senthil Kumar

27-Feb-05 7:13

You can escape them like "\\r\\n" or use the verbatim modifier @"\r\n".

Regards
Senthil
My Blog

System Timer?

Azel Low27-Feb-05 4:11

Azel Low

27-Feb-05 4:11

I am writing a prog that will process data every 15 mins to 1 hour.

I have looked at System.Timer and Window Timer but they seem to be conern about millisecond timing and I presume that the amount of resources (processer and RAM) that it requires might be wasted since I only require accuracy of a minute.

I was wondering if you guys actually use Timers with elapse time of 15 mins - an hour or is there a better solution for this.

Re: System Timer?

Heath Stewart27-Feb-05 4:20

large font and tabcontrol issue

27-Feb-05 4:20

A timer uses very little resources because it works with your system clock which is essential to making your computer work. Your CPU and system clock work together. Any computer engineering book you could pick up will help you understand this better.

Note that there are actually 3 timers in the .NET BCL

System.Threading.Timers
System.Timers.Timer
System.Windows.Forms.Timer

Each have a resolution of 1 millisecond but work different ways, like requiring a callback or exposing an event (to which you add a handler, or callback).

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Software Design Engineer
Developer Division Sustained Engineering
Microsoft

[My Articles] [My Blog]

Aviv Halperin27-Feb-05 2:44

Aviv Halperin

27-Feb-05 2:44

Hi,

I have a tabcontrol with 4 tabpages.
Each tabpage contains a richtextbox.
I do not have anyproblem running my application and viewing all the tabs when the system font is set to small font. When the font is set to large font, all the tab pages become gray and the richtextboxes are not shown at all!

Does anyone know of a solution to this problem?

(setting the AutoSize property of the RichTextBoxes to true does not help )

Thanks.

avivhal

Re: large font and tabcontrol issue

Heath Stewart27-Feb-05 4:53

Re: large font and tabcontrol issue

27-Feb-05 4:53

How exactly do you mean? The system fonts are set to large while your application is running and the TabControl shown, or even when the fonts are set to large before your application is running? The latter should not cause problems, but the former situation can. Handling the SystemEvents.UserPreferenceChanged event may help so that you can react accordingly, often times call Control.Update on controls that having trouble updating their drawing surface themselves.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Software Design Engineer
Developer Division Sustained Engineering
Microsoft

[My Articles] [My Blog]

Aviv Halperin27-Feb-05 5:36

Aviv Halperin

27-Feb-05 5:36

The system font is set to large before the application is running. This causes the tabs not to appear. If the font is set to small the problem is gone and all tabs are shown.

I have actually only seen this behavior on windows 2000 systems. On XP the problem does not exist. Does this make any difference?
Could it be a .NET CLR issue?

Thanks.

avivhal

Re: large font and tabcontrol issue

Heath Stewart27-Feb-05 5:39