Where would I.....

Where or how would I begin to write code for a program that could take a .txt, .doc, or rich text,
and turn them or convert them into a special file that has its own extension, xyz for example, and
and can only be read by that program? Thanks for your input! =)

Hey MatrixsurferX!
Look, txt and doc are very different things!! The first thing I would do, is detemin all formatting symbols of every file type you wish your aplication to be able to process. Then, I would define the formatting symbols your aplication is going to insert among the characters of the text (create some sort of parallelism between them). The design part is the most important and should come before the coding!!
Once you have that, start reading the file to be processed and simply replace the formatted text with your own formats...

Good Luck...

Anibal.

PS: That is a simple solution. You can add more formatting chars, encription, etc. But, I suggest you begin with this...just to make things simpler!

Thanks alot! I'll work on that. I like your idea. I thought I might use Wedit, you ever use that? If so what do you think about it and do you think it's right for this type of application I am going to make?

Hey! I've never used that..in fact, I have no idea what it is . I've always used notepad or an IDE, such as Borland's (Wedit is an editor, right?). Anyway..can't help you there..but I'll get the aplication and try it out...see how it goes!!

Thanks and good luck!

Anibal.

Yes please try out Wedit, its more than just an editor. Evidently you can create the UI. Add buttons and what not. I thought this was needed to
as part of the program creation. Hmmm....maybe not. Oh well, let me know what you think!

Thanks for your help Anibal!

The solution is correct but one needs to do extensive work on this. Anibal is right , you need to know format symbols of each type of doc.

I guess you are making a utility that converts documents in morethan one form.

Hey All!
I downloades Wedit...(a trial, of course)...I haven't had much time to test it, but (and call me old fashion) I prefer the Borland's proyect editor. I think is the visual C++ 5.? (or something like that). It lets you create the UI, DLLs, all of it. Perhaps is the same storie, but I read somewhere in the net (not that is all true) that Wedit has certain flaws when creating DLLs (bad thing for a proyect!).

Anyway, I don't think it matters what you use. Just create the DLLs that do all the process of conversion (the processing of the files - so you can reuse the DLL in other proyects you may need) using the proyect Manager you like. The rest can be done even with notepad (just kidding).

Good Luck...to both of you!!


Anibal.


When you create functions in a DLL, remember: It's better to create 150.000 functions that do a specific little work..than one gigantic function. If you have little functions, you can call them up in different proyects. Otherwise, you're in a lot of trouble reusing that code!

100% agree.

Hey Cirus,

Where would I find the format symbols of each type?
I thought Wedit was also used to create the Actual UI for the program?
I don't understand how to link the butoons to the actual program....

Hey Matrix! I know you didn't ask me, but I'm trying to overcome a terrible hangover, and the only way to do that, is staying awake...so here's the answer:
Usually, when you insert a button, you double click it (during the design) and you get a worksheet where several method apear (each one, responding to a different evet: onClick, onMouseOver, etc). You just write the code inside the event you want!. Like I said before (I know I prommised to test it) I don't know Wedit, but it can't be that different.

Regardin the second part, that is as to where to find the symbols, you need to do a furious research. Don't bother looking inside manuals of the product (that never works). My advice:

1) Check some "underground" sources....this kind of papers are allways available
2) if no information is found, open a simple (one word) .doc with an hexadecimal editor and try different formats...then write them down.


Good Luck! (everyone...Cirus, you're included )


Anibal.


PS: Important thing!: .doc (and I think PDF as well) not only contain format characters as to bold, italics, and font size....there's a super gigantic header which specifies version number and many more features! When you read those kind of files, you must know that those are neither formatting chars nor user text..they are headers and shouldn't be processed (but usefull as to know if your application is ready to process such version of file).