Seems like the Hint add-in would be also useful to more people if it was a standalone program,
then it could be used with MASM, C, or anything else needing some win API information.
So....here is Hint_SA, basically the same functionality as the Hint Add-in but with some differences to accommodate the standalone requirement.
Works well installed as a Pelles C IDE 'tool' too.
Three files are needed two of the three are included in the attached Just_Hint_SA.7z. Win32.chm needs to be added to the Hint_SA program directory, it is too big to include here.
The Hint_SA_project.zip is the entire project, but without win32.chm as well. It uses SQLite3 so if it does not compile you'll need to get those files. In the project zip the db3 is 7z'ed so it would fit. Un-7z it before use.
Hopefully useful,
John Z
Update: removed old sources and exe, get the newer sources and program below.
Very interesting, especially when you need to quickly retrieve information about a particular API.
Thanks John.
Here is version 1.1 of the Hint_SA program.
No functional changes but there was a lot of residual 'add-in' code left in the first release. So this is just a code clean-up and some de-spagettification to make it a bit clearer.
Added some clarifications and details to the Read_ME_Hint_SA.txt file.
hint_sa.zip includes Pelles C project files
just_program_hint_SA.7z obviously is just the exe and db3 file.
John Z
Update: New version 1.1.1 posted below ..
Final release (hopefully) of Hint_SA.
More code clean-up. Better search for future db updates which might have only a header or library.
Can be used without a mouse.
I'm working on updating the current db3 file. It will be posted alone after any significant updates are complete. No db structural changes expected so just downloading a newer db3 will be all that is needed.
As before the full project and sources in hint_sa_v111.zip, the db3 is 7z inside.
Just the exe, db3, and readme in the just_program_hint_sa_v111.7z.
Feedback is welcomed -
John Z
Error Message : SQL error: no such column: HeaderC
Just after clicking on the "Go" button
With version v111
Hi,
Please unzip and use the version of the database that comes with the new version of Hint_SA.
John Z
Hi All,
Here is the release of Hint_SA version 1.2. Very minor code changes but a significant change in the db3 database. The database now contain 10043 functions with the base Header and library required as well as the basic function description for all but about 600 functions. The old DB3 has this for only about 1800 functions.
The DB3 and the source code are posted below. The exe is included in case one does not want to or can't build it.
John Z
Hint Add-in has been updated too, so check under the Add-in topics
A Crazy work for a tool programer cannot ignore.
Hint_SA update to 1.2.1
Updates sql from 3.46.1 to 3.53 (sqlite3_b.lib)
No other code changes.
John Z
Updated Hint_SA to version 1.3
This up sizes the fonts to be more readable on high density displays for older eyes ;D
Also this version lets you choose a WEB search provider to use when wanting to check the WWW for information on a function. There are 9 providers to choose from. Your choice is stored in a tiny hint.ini.
To make the selection click "Use WEB" before using 'Go' or just after using 'Clear' then then search providers dialog will run. Click your choice then OK it will be saved and active the next use of 'Use WEB.
The attachment ProgramOnly_Hint_SA_V130.7z includes everything to run the program.
The attachment Build_hint_SA_V130.7z includes everything to build it but does not include win32.chm, and the Win32_functions.db3 is further 7z so will need to be unzipped as well.
Future release if any might need to move to SourceForge
John Z
Resizing don't work :(
Sadly a that Win32.chm don't work with poide :(
I didn't add any resizing capability, just up-sized the dialog fonts which up-sizes the dialogs.
However actual resizing might be doable with my resizer library - I'll take a look at that.
John Z
Ah - I see, I left Thick Frame so the outer dialog can resize, but nothing else. ;(
Quote from: TimoVJL on October 10, 2026, 12:38:47 PMSadly a that Win32.chm don't work with poide :(
However with the
Hint Add-in it is easily accessible automatically from within the IDE...
John Z
Quote from: John Z on October 10, 2026, 03:48:51 PMQuote from: TimoVJL on October 10, 2026, 12:38:47 PMSadly a that Win32.chm don't work with poide :(
However with the Hint Add-in it is easily accessible automatically from within the IDE...
John Z
Possible a poide problem.
A that Win32.chm works in a my tests.
I might find an Add-In soluation, if someone needs that.
Perhaps an ini-file for Win32.chm path.
Quote from: TimoVJL on October 10, 2026, 04:12:42 PMPossible a poide problem.
A that Win32.chm works in a my tests.
I might find an Add-In soluation, if someone needs that.
Perhaps an ini-file for Win32.chm path.
The Hint Add-in just expects Win32.chm to be in the Pelles IDE Help directory, where the other .chm file are also located. ex: C:\Program Files\PellesC\Bin\Help
I don't see that as a major issue, but if so it can be fixed easily in the Hint Add-in by asking the user to find the file the first time used.
John Z
So you abandon my test totally, why ?
No, I didn't understand that you were asking for a test.
I read you wanted win32.chm to be somewhere.
Help me understand.
John Z