Chapter 8: Dialog System V2.5

This chapter lists some points to note if you're moving to the Dialog System in Net Express compared to Dialog System V2.5.

If you've come from 32-bit graphical Dialog System V2.5 on Windows 95 or Windows NT, you should have no migration problems. There is just one minor incompatibility change - see the section DSRUN below. The non-graphical versions and some little-used tools have been omitted. Source code templates are provided to enable you to use the new Class Library support for spin buttons, status bars, OCX controls, and a tree view control.

You access the definition software from the Tools menu in the IDE.

For advice on moving from 16-bit to 32-bit, and from other operating systems such as OS/2, see the chapter Same Screen, Different Platform in the online book Dialog System Guide .

DSRUN

The Graphical Dialog System run-time module is called DSGRUN. Although supplied for backward compatibility, the older DSRUN module is no longer fully supported. Where your application makes calls to the DSRUN module these should be changed to call DSGRUN. No other change is required.

Points to Note

Character-mode Dialog System is not included.
The Dialog System in Net Express uses a screenset format similar to that used in graphical Dialog System V2.5, which is different from the format used in character Dialog System V2.5. You will need to rewrite your character screensets to use graphical Dialog System.
Emulation-mode Dialog System is not included.
The Dialog System in Net Express can load screensets produced using emulation-mode Dialog System V2.5.You can continue to use your screensets without change. You will get a graphical display.
Panels Version 2 is in general not documented in Net Express.
However, Panels Version 2 is supported and your applications using it will work on Net Express. For similar functionality in your future applications we recommend using the Class Library - see the chapter Panels V2.
The file dsclnk32.bat is included for backward compatibility.
However, a template Net Express project is provided as a basis for projects for Dialog System applications. You should migrate to this for future use. For migrating from the 16-bit dslink.bat to 32-bit, see the Dialog System Guide.