Beginner's problem

[shaker]

If anyone could spare the time to help, I would be most grateful.

I am/was reasonably familiar with VB but can find nothing in the PBdocumentation which helps me (all very terse).

Using Visual Designer, I can get the gadgets onto the window fine BUT then I am lost as to what to do when the design is finished.

There appear to be so many options to choose from. I don't know what each does and which I should use, when and in what order. I seem to have tried most/all. I used the "generate source code" but cannot find the file name I gave it in the PureBasic directory (or anywhere else). And what is the file "Common"?

And then assuming it is finalised and filed as it needs to be, how do I access it and work on it in the Editor?

Many thanks in anticipation

[Trond]

Don't start with the VD. Start by writing code by hand. Look at the example code in the help file to see how it's done.

[Kale]

...or you could click the banner in my signature, download my free book which includes a tutorial on user interfaces and learn right away. infact the whole book will help you as it is written for beginners.

[shaker]

Many thanks to Trond and Kale for your replies.

Trond,
I did start by coding a layout and am quite happy with that. However, although I could achieve the same layout results with VD, I haven't been able to work out how to capture and use the result.

Kale,
Your book is brilliant and I downloaded it as soon as I got the trial version of PB. The VD problems I experienced with the trial version, I put down to it being a cut down version.

I've read and reread the relevant section of your book and also the VD Help, and followed (or thought I did) the instructions in both, but no further forward. In desperation, I tried various things almost at random, but no success.

Now I've bought the full version, the problem remains.

I was surprised when I bought the full version of PB, that I had to add the Compiler to Quicklaunch and wondered if something similar is required for VD.

[Trond]

You need to install the full version in a new directory (not on top of the demo).

Then, in the VD, go into project options and check "include event loop". Then select generate source and everything should work.

[Trond]

When you save the code it should ask for two filenames. Please post the contents of both files here.

[Trond]

PM:

Still no success. This is what I have done in response to your instructions.


1. You need to install the full version in a new directory (not on top of the demo).

Uninstalled PB and reinstalled a new full version in the default directory.


2) Then, in the VD, go into project options and check "include event loop". Then select generate source and everything should work.

Went into Editor, selected Tools, VD, Project, Project options

Checked "include event loop" (and left the two file name boxes blank ) and all other boxes unchecked.

Added button gadget to layout

Selected generate source


3) When you save the code it should ask for two filenames. Please post the contents of both files here.

When I selected generate source, it did ask for 2 file names.

Entered c:\program files\PureBasic\TrondTest.pb for the first.

I accepted the c:\program files\PureBasic\Common.bp offered for the second file name and entered it.

Saved as c:\program files\PureBasic\TrondTest.pbv

THEN:

Still in VD, I immediately selected PureBasic Editor from Project options and got the usual message
"Cannot load source code ............"GenerateMainFile.pb"

However, TrondTest.pbv loads into VD OK.

When I try to load TrondTest into the Editor directly, I can't find it, and a system search fails to find it.

I apologise for messing on and very much appreciate your help. Hopefully the greater detail I give above may throw some light.

Many thanks.

Please post here. Don't PM random members with questions.

[Trond]

You may have to delete the directory after uninstalling because if you installed the full version over the demo version then uninstalling again, you'll use the full version's uninstaller and files belonging to the demo version may still be stuck.

But if you can't get the normal VD to work, I recommend the new VD, which can be downloaded from here: http://www.purebasic.fr/english/viewtopic.php?t=30885

The reason you have problems is probably that you're on Vista (or a locked-down XP) and don't have write access to the PureBasic folder when you save the source files. Then you can't find them, because they were never written.

When you use Generate Source, save both files in my documents where you know you have write access. Then don't use the PureBasic editor menu item, instead open the files manually from the editor.

If that doesn't work, I don't know what's wrong. The new VD is better anyways, since it works directly on source files.

[shaker]

I reinstalled in new directory as suggested.

I saved the files in an area I know I have access to.

And it works!

Very many thanks - I am a happy man.