HTML for the DesktopHTML for the Desktop

About MeAbout Me

President/Founder F1 Technologies since 1990President/Founder F1 Technologies since 1990 Co-author Visual FoxCo-author Visual FoxExpressExpress SpeakerSpeaker ConsultantConsultant Xbase Developer since dBase III/FoxBase 1987Xbase Developer since dBase III/FoxBase 1987 Web Developer since 1994Web Developer since 1994

Contact MeContact Me

AgendaAgenda

Why Use HTML in Desktop Why Use HTML in Desktop Applications?Applications?

How to Display Web Content in How to Display Web Content in Desktop ApplicationsDesktop Applications

HTML Interface UsesHTML Interface Uses HTML vs. OLE AutomationHTML vs. OLE Automation

Why Use HTML in Desktop Why Use HTML in Desktop ApplicationsApplications

Create Interfaces not easily created Create Interfaces not easily created with standard VFP controlswith standard VFP controls

Leverage Pre-existing Web InterfacesLeverage Pre-existing Web Interfaces Interact with Websites in Desktop Interact with Websites in Desktop

AppsApps Minimize Need For Automation Minimize Need For Automation

HTML In the Interface – HTML In the Interface – Getting StartedGetting Started

Requires use of ActiveX ControlRequires use of ActiveX Control Most use MS Web Browser Control which is Most use MS Web Browser Control which is

based on IE.based on IE. Mozilla Control Also Available (Mozilla Control Also Available (

http://www.iol.ie/~locka/mozilla/control.htm))

IE vs. MozillaIE vs. MozillaIEIE

Commercial, made by Commercial, made by MSMS

Does not conform to Does not conform to HTML standardsHTML standards

Supports Design ModeSupports Design Mode 10 MB+ Download10 MB+ Download IntellisenseIntellisense

MozillaMozilla Open Source & Open Source &

inactiveinactive Conforms to HTML Conforms to HTML

standardsstandards Does not support Does not support

design modedesign mode 4MB Download4MB Download No IntellisenseNo Intellisense

Using the Web Browser Using the Web Browser ControlsControls

Subclass or insert directly into containerSubclass or insert directly into container Navigate to blank page in init:Navigate to blank page in init:

This.navigate([About:Blank])This.navigate([About:Blank])Creates Document ObjectCreates Document Object

See Rick Strahl’s Article:See Rick Strahl’s Article:http://west-wind.com/presentations/shellapi/shellapi.asphttp://west-wind.com/presentations/shellapi/shellapi.asp

HTML in the DesktopHTML in the Desktop

FanList.SCXFanList.SCX FanList.SCX is a sample data entry form. FanList.SCX is a sample data entry form.

It’s primary purpose is to illustrate how It’s primary purpose is to illustrate how HTML can provide a more user-friendly HTML can provide a more user-friendly substitute for grids when pictures and substitute for grids when pictures and edit regions need to be part of the grid. edit regions need to be part of the grid.

HTML in the DesktopHTML in the Desktop

HTMLPreview.SCXHTMLPreview.SCX Did you ever want to jump straight into Did you ever want to jump straight into

data from a report preview or drill down data from a report preview or drill down into more detail from a report preview? into more detail from a report preview? That’s what this form is all about. That’s what this form is all about.

HTML in the Desktop

HTMLPreview2.SCX Email, Website and Image Links in

report preview

HTML in the DesktopHTML in the Desktop

Customer.SCX & ShowMap.SCXCustomer.SCX & ShowMap.SCX Integrate Google Maps with Desktop AppIntegrate Google Maps with Desktop App

HTML in the Desktop

HTMLEditor.SCX Basic HTML Editor Makes use of DesignMode

HTML in the DesktopHTML in the Desktop MailMerge.SCXMailMerge.SCX

Reduce versionitis and API difference Reduce versionitis and API difference issues between word processors.issues between word processors.

Use standards based language vs. Use standards based language vs. proprietary format.proprietary format.

Enjoy the performance and simplicity of Enjoy the performance and simplicity of text vs. automation.text vs. automation.

Get HTML Email as a bonus.Get HTML Email as a bonus.

HTML in the DesktopHTML in the Desktop

WebDev.SCXWebDev.SCX The WebDev form is the form that was The WebDev form is the form that was

used in my “HTML and Visual FoxPro” used in my “HTML and Visual FoxPro” session. This form makes use of the web session. This form makes use of the web browser control and provides a great browser control and provides a great example of performing local file based example of performing local file based operations on HTML and displaying them operations on HTML and displaying them in the desktop. in the desktop.

HTML in the DesktopHTML in the Desktop

WebDevGecko.SCXWebDevGecko.SCX This form is a Gecko (Mozilla based) This form is a Gecko (Mozilla based)

implementation of the WebDev form.implementation of the WebDev form.

ConclusionConclusion

Visual FoxPro is a rockin’ host for Visual FoxPro is a rockin’ host for HTML interfacesHTML interfaces

VFP’s DML, ActiveX support and text VFP’s DML, ActiveX support and text handling abilities make it possible to handling abilities make it possible to do things with HTML that you might do things with HTML that you might not do on the web itself.not do on the web itself.

Fox Rocks!Fox Rocks!