Good Freeware Stuff

[PBJim]

A related online app that I find useful. https://ehubsoft.herokuapp.com/chmviewer/

Nice one — I agree the ability to download as HTML is useful. It doesn't include images though, or at least not without a bit of work.

For instance, trying C:\Program Files\PureBasic\PureBasic.chm and then navigating to 2D Drawing — DrawingMode, we don't have the images.

Welcome to the forum by the way Susan.

Jim

[RNBW]

Convert Win32.hlp files to .chm format for free. I just discovered this little gem and wanted to share even though I don't know yet how good it is - It's free so it rates good in that respect. Review and download here: https://www.helpndoc.com/download/
The reason I went searching for such a tool was to convert the win32.hlp file provided in the JaPBe package that is so essential to PB programming on Windows. Imagine being able to F1 on top of any Win API command and get help for that command just like you do any PB command -- NOT available in the native PB IDE(but should be). So I am converting that .hlp file to .chm in hopes it can somehow be integrated into the native PB IDE. No idea if or how that might be possible, but as is, no Win API help is driving me crazy.

Although win32.hlp is now very old, you can get a .CHM version here https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32-help-chm/files/

Once you have downloaded it, copy win32.chm to your Purebasic folder and then in your Purebasic IDE go to Tools>Configure and set it up as a new Tools entry. To do this click on the three dots alongside the top box and search for Win32.chm to enter it. It will ask you for a EXE file but just scroll down to All Files. Name it Win32.chm and you will then see it come up at the bottom of the Tools menu.

[Randy Walker]

Convert Win32.hlp files to .chm format for free. I just discovered this little gem and wanted to share even though I don't know yet how good it is - It's free so it rates good in that respect. Review and download here: https://www.helpndoc.com/download/
The reason I went searching for such a tool was to convert the win32.hlp file provided in the JaPBe package that is so essential to PB programming on Windows. Imagine being able to F1 on top of any Win API command and get help for that command just like you do any PB command -- NOT available in the native PB IDE(but should be). So I am converting that .hlp file to .chm in hopes it can somehow be integrated into the native PB IDE. No idea if or how that might be possible, but as is, no Win API help is driving me crazy.

Although win32.hlp is now very old, you can get a .CHM version here https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32-help-chm/files/

Once you have downloaded it, copy win32.chm to your Purebasic folder and then in your Purebasic IDE go to Tools>Configure and set it up as a new Tools entry. To do this click on the three dots alongside the top box and search for Win32.chm to enter it. It will ask you for a EXE file but just scroll down to All Files. Name it Win32.chm and you will then see it come up at the bottom of the Tools menu.

Thanks RNBW but I still have a couple issues with this:
1: does not respond to F1 when cursor is on top of an API keyword. I guess that is something Fred would have to hardcode into the IDE.
2: It came up blank when I went into the Win32 tool selection and searched for SendMessage, so bottom line is this is not very useful, BUT thanks for the effort.

[Randy Walker]

Convert Win32.hlp files to .chm format for free.

A related online app that I find useful.

https://ehubsoft.herokuapp.com/chmviewer/

Thanks for the contribution Susan and welcome to the greatest place on earth. Well ok, maybe not, but these are the greatest people on earth. Especially when you get stuck and need a good nudge in the right direction.

[RNBW]

2: It came up blank when I went into the Win32 tool selection and searched for SendMessage, so bottom line is this is not very useful, BUT thanks for the effort.

I've just tried to find SendMessage and it came up with the SendMessage specification. Tried random others and they also come up OK.

[RNBW]

Convert Win32.hlp files to .chm format for free. I just discovered this little gem and wanted to share even though I don't know yet how good it is - It's free so it rates good in that respect. Review and download here: https://www.helpndoc.com/download/
...............

I can appreciate you liking HelpNDoc. I use it all the time. It is very useful for merging several CHM files into one document. You can also compile to PDF, Word, HTML and others.

The downside of the free version is that it is very limited in what you can do and it leaves a little banner message every so often.

[susan]

Thanks for the contribution Susan and welcome to the greatest place on earth. Well ok, maybe not, but these are the greatest people on earth. Especially when you get stuck and need a good nudge in the right direction.

Thanks for the welcome. I have been lurking for a few years now, but have decided that the second half of 2025 is the time to actually make something with PureBasic.

[Randy Walker]

Thanks for the contribution Susan and welcome to the greatest place on earth. Well ok, maybe not, but these are the greatest people on earth. Especially when you get stuck and need a good nudge in the right direction.

Thanks for the welcome. I have been lurking for a few years now, but have decided that the second half of 2025 is the time to actually make something with PureBasic.

Do you know? Will your "something" project require the use of Windows APIs? If so you should be aware that PB IDE supports topical help on API keywords IF you supply it with the missing components:
viewtopic.php?p=642313#p642313 to get in on the scoop.

[susan]

Will your "something" project require the use of Windows APIs?

Thank you for the tip, but no. I expect to use the existing gadgets only, as is, and if one can't work they way I would like, I will probably change the interface around what PureBasic can more easily do.