<snip>
> OK, you Protel gurus, the question is:
> 1) Could Protel accept a command to highlight a net from an external
> application?
> 2) If #1 is yes, through what software mechanism are commands passed to
> Protel?
> 3) What compilers or other software tools would be needed to write the
> command interface?
>
> Ivan Baggett
I have only a small level of understanding of Windows programming (as
opposed to creating code specifically for use with Protel), but it is
certainly possible to create code which will highlight a net (or component),
... and un-highlight this when the next net (/component) is to be
highlighted, and I see no reason why this could not be controlled from an
external application.
As such, based on my awareness of the issues involved, the answers to your
questions would be:
1) Yes
2) I am not an expert, but probably Windows messages (and/or "hook" code?).
Messages could incorporate a pointer to a (null-terminated) string that
identifies the net/component to be highlighted, with additional software
provided to adequately cope with a non-existent net/component/identifying
string. (There would be other aspects as well, such as whether a net is to
be highlighted, or a component, etc.)
3) Delphi 5 for interfacing to Protel 99 SE if SP6 is being used; Delphi 5
or Delphi 3 if a previous SP is being used instead. Delphi could probably
also be used for creating the "other" application and/or interface between
this and Protel, but some developers would be happier using Visual C++ for
that part of the task instead. (With due care, Delphi-compiled code can be
made to properly interact with C++-compiled code.)
I have some experience in creating addon software for use with Protel which
is "user-driven", but virtually none in creating software to provide an
interface between different applications. As such, there are limits on how
much advice I can provide to you. But it is not out of the question that
others could provide more comprehensive advice.
Regards,
Geoff Harland.
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