Custom Doodat for Desktop

[OPMCoordinator]

Thanks for checking this out.
I am just getting into VBA with excell, word, access, outlook and all that and am having no real problems thanks to the expert advice contained on this website.
Just a small question to the experts to see if what i want is possible. Here it is...

I want a button or something on my desktop that i can use to hang code off without the need of the overhead of a whole application running in the background. Ideally something that can bring up a userform as in excell (again without the app overhead)to put buttons and text boxes etc in that could conceivably work much like pop up windows.

I have considered shortcuts, but there is still the app overhead once running - and i want it to be awake all of the time.

Does that make sense? Is it possible? How could I do that?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Mike Collett

 

[OPMCoordinator]

Hello and thanks for replying.

Firstly let me define my ignorance. I am not sure the precise difference between VB and VBA. I know what they stand for, but i dont know how they differ in practicality and/or syntax etc. I think I use VBA as i get to it through tools/macros/vba editor in the app.

The pefect thing i am after would be a command button on the desktop itself.

Things i want to do are check for existence of files (esp *.lck files!) run batch files, open applications, etc at the click of the button. With this little thingy, I wont necessarliy be interacting with any specific program. It may be with all of them, or none. Im after a way of performing the little bits and pieces simply from the desktop - using vb as the tool to force me to figure out how to do it in vb (or vba!). (i have figured out the codes for the above tasks without too many problems, and am keen to try more and more complex tasks.)

I suppose I was hoping there was a way of using vb (or vba!)with windows (the os) the same as with applications.

or maybe what i am talking about is creating the worlds smallest, most basic application of my own?

is vb6 a stand alone prog? or is it built into an app? where would it be hiding on my pc? i cant see it in my startup menu. The version of "microsoft visual basic" as in the about... in the editor is 6. on the botton line it has "VBA...". i am way confused!

Cheers

Mike

 

[WayneRyan]

Hi Mike,

Just a few general thoughts.

MS-Access is database software that allows you to define,
enter, store and maintain data. Inherent in this is the ability
to create and use forms, reports and so on. Additionally it
offers connectivity to other databases, other applications,
importing of data, multi-language support. It is not a small
application. The .exe is I think about 4 megabytes and interacts
with hundreds of .dll and .olb files. It is not suitable for your
desktop utility.

The VBA that access (and other MS products) use lets you
get at windows API functions and can do all of the other things
that you want, but it must have the overhead of Access, Word
or Excel running.

What you need is a programming language that doesn't have
the overhead of a database program. When these languages
are compiled into their .exe files they can be powerful little
applications.

I would suggest that you check out some VB, C++ or VBScript
forums and do some research. You will have to learn how
to interface with Window's API functions to control things.

hth,
Wayne

 

[ghudson]

Here is one of many great sites for VB code that will give you the details on how to recreate a VB function or program. Just use the "Search VBnet" option to find your wish code.

VBnet Visual Basic Developers Resource Centre

HTH

 

[OPMCoordinator]

Thanks Heaps!

Microsoft Visual Basic .Net Standard ordered and on its way!

Cheers
Mike C

 

[sambo]

Just curious..
How much did you pay for .NET?
Did you just buy VB .NET, or did you buy the entire Visual Studios .NET?

Now that I look at it, I guess you're in New Zealand, so I don't have a clue what your dollars are worth. I'm still interested though.

 

[OPMCoordinator]

i got a quote from the local book store (and this is a small town i live in) and the "academic price: ie for students etc - which i am not at the moment - (they dont have the full price listed and the woman reckoned that it would be $800 no $1000 ish around that mark judging by other titles blah blah blah i hate small town mentality - (''how about looking it up on the internet?" she says. doesnt that bug you? if i wanted to do that i bloody well would have!) but the price was NZ$269 which is the equvalent of about 83 big macs.

mike c

ps sorry about the bad mood - i got 2 teeth that are aching and the dentisits cant find out what is wrong with them.