Progress
Help Development
Guide


Preface

Purpose

This document describes how to provide online help for Progress applications.

Audience

This manual is written for the Windows help development team. The team typically consists of two or more individuals who jointly develop the help system for a Progress application:

Organization of This Manual

"Providing Help for Progress Applications"

This chapter provides instructions to the Progress application developer for creating help strings and integrating help into a Progress application using the SYSTEM-HELP statement and other Progress 4GL syntax. This chapter also briefly discusses the elements of a help system from the perspective of the application developer.

"Overview of Help System Development"

This chapter discusses information design considerations for help files. This chapter also discusses the elements of the WinHelp 4.0 Help Topics dialog box and help viewer windows, and outlines the steps necessary for creating and compiling the help source files.

"Creating Help Topic Files"

This chapter describes how to create help topic files using Microsoft Word, including creating topic text, coding hypertext links, and creating index keywords. This chapter also discusses graphic files and how to reference them in a help topic file.

"Completing Help Systems"

This chapter describes how to create a help project file and how to compile the help source files into a binary help file, both using the Microsoft Help Workshop, which is supplied with your Progress products under license from Microsoft.

This chapter also describes how to create a contents file. A contents file contains the information used by the help engine to populate the Contents tab of the Help Topics dialog box, and other run-time commands used by the help engine.

"Files Mentioned in This Guide"

This appendix contains a list of the names, locations, and descriptions of the files mentioned in this guide.

"Options in the [Options] Section of the Project File"

This appendix contains a list of the options, syntax, and descriptions of the options in the [OPTIONS] section of the project (.hpj) file.

"Glossary"

How to Use This Manual

The roles of the help author and the Progress application programmer are distinct. The only way these roles overlap is that they must agree on what context IDs (discussed in Chapter 3) should be associated with what help topics. Therefore, read the chapters that pertain to your role in detail, and skim or read to your level of interest, the material in the other chapters as follows:

The text examples and many of the illustrations in this guide are from the Progress Procedure Editor online help. The Progress Procedure Editor help topic, graphic, and project files are shipped with Progress. To gain more familiarity with the process of help authoring, you can open these files and experiment with editing, building, and compiling them on your own.

Typographical Conventions

This manual uses the following typographical conventions:

The following typographical conventions are used to represent keystrokes:

Syntax Notation

The syntax for each component follows a set of conventions:

Example Procedures

This manual provides example procedures that illustrate syntax and concepts. Examples use the following conventions:

Accessing Files in Procedure Libraries

Documentation examples are stored in procedure libraries, prodoc.pl and prohelp.pl, in the src directory where Progress is installed. The sample Progress procedure, r-syshlp.p, demonstrates various SYSTEM-HELP statement calls.

You must first create all subdirectories required by a library before attempting to extract files from the library. You can see what directories and subdirectories a library needs by using the PROLIB -list command to view the contents of the library. See the Progress Client Deployment Guide for more details on the PROLIB utility.

Extracting source files from a procedure library involves running PROENV to set up your Progress environment, creating the directory structure for the files you want to extract, and running PROLIB.

  1. From the Control Panel or the Progress Program Group, double-click the Proenv icon.
  2. The Proenv Window appears, with the proenv prompt.
  3. Running Proenv sets the DLC environment variable to the directory where you installed Progress (by default, C:\Program Files\Progress). Proenv also adds the DLC environment variable to your PATH environment variable and adds the bin directory (PATH=%DLC%;%DLC%\bin;%PATH%).

  4. Enter the following command at the proenv prompt to create the prodoc directory in your Progress working directory (by default, C:\Progress\Wrk):
  5. MKDIR prodoc 
    

  6. Create the langref directory under prodoc:
  7. MKDIR prodoc\langref 
    

  8. To extract all examples in a procedure library directory, run the PROLIB utility. Note that you must use double quotes because “Program Files” contains an embedded space:
  9. PROLIB "%DLC%\src\prodoc.pl" -extract prodoc\langref\*.* 
    

    PROLIB extracts all examples into prodoc\langref.

    To extract one example, run PROLIB and specify the file that you want to extract as it is stored in the procedure library:

    PROLIB "%DLC%\src\prodoc.pl" -extract prodoc/langref/r-syshlp.p 
    

    PROLIB extracts r-syshlp.p into prodoc\langref.

Progress Messages

Progress displays several types of messages to inform you of routine and unusual occurrences:

After displaying a message, Progress proceeds in one of several ways:

Progress messages end with a message number in parentheses. In this example, the message number is 200:

** Unknown table name table. (200) 

Use Progress online help to get more information about Progress messages. Many Progress tools include the following Help menu options to provide information about messages:

Other Useful Documentation

This section lists Progress Software Corporation documentation that you might find useful. Unless otherwise specified, these manuals support both Windows and Character platforms and are provided in electronic documentation format on CD-ROM.

Getting Started

Progress Electronic Documentation Installation and Configuration Guide (Hard copy only)

A booklet that describes how to install the Progress EDOC viewer and collection on UNIX and Windows.

Progress Installation and Configuration Guide Version 9 for UNIX

A manual that describes how to install and set up Progress Version 9.1 for the UNIX operating system.

Progress Installation and Configuration Guide Version 9 for Windows

A manual that describes how to install and set up Progress Version 9.1 for all supported Windows and Citrix MetaFrame operating systems.

Progress Version 9 Product Update Bulletin

A guide that provides a brief description of each new feature of the release. The booklet also explains where to find more detailed information in the documentation set about each new feature.

Progress Application Development Environment — Getting Started (Windows only)

A practical guide to graphical application development within the Progress Application Development Environment (ADE). This guide includes an overview of the ADE and its tools, an overview of Progress SmartObject technology, and tutorials and exercises that help you better understand SmartObject technology and how to use the ADE to develop applications.

Progress Language Tutorial for Windows and Progress Language Tutorial for Character

Platform-specific tutorials designed for new Progress users. The tutorials use a step-by-step approach to explore the Progress application development environment using the 4GL.

Progress Master Glossary for Windows and Progress Master Glossary for Character (EDOC only)

Platform-specific master glossaries for the Progress documentation set. These books are in electronic format only.

Progress Master Index and Glossary for Windows and Progress Master Index and Glossary for Character (Hard copy only)

Platform-specific master indexes and glossaries for the Progress hard-copy documentation set.

Progress Startup Command and Parameter Reference

A reference manual that describes the Progress startup commands and parameters in alphabetical order.

Welcome to Progress (Hard copy only)

A booklet that explains how Progress software and media are packaged. An icon-based map groups the documentation by functionality, providing an overall view of the documentation set. Welcome to Progress also provides descriptions of the various services Progress Software Corporation offers.

Development Tools

Progress ADM 2 Guide

A guide to using the Application Development Model, Version 2 (ADM 2) application architecture to develop Progress applications. It includes instructions for building and using Progress SmartObjects.

Progress ADM 2 Reference

A reference for the Application Development Model, Version 2 (ADM 2) application. It includes descriptions of ADM 2 functions and procedures.

Progress AppBuilder Developer’s Guide (Windows only)

A programmer’s guide to using the Progress AppBuilder visual layout editor. AppBuilder is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool that can significantly reduce the time and effort required to create Progress applications.

Progress Basic Database Tools (Character only; information for Windows is in online help)

A guide for the Progress Database Administration tools, such as the Data Dictionary.

Progress Basic Development Tools (Character only; information for Windows is in online help)

A guide for the Progress development toolset, including the Progress Procedure Editor and the Application Compiler.

Progress Debugger Guide

A guide for the Progress Application Debugger. The Debugger helps you trace and correct programming errors by allowing you to monitor and modify procedure execution as it happens.

Progress Translation Manager Guide (Windows only)

A guide that describes how to use the Progress Translation Manager tool to manage the entire process of translating the text phrases in Progress applications.

Progress Visual Translator Guide (Windows only)

A guide that describes how to use the Progress Visual Translator tool to translate text phrases from procedures into one or more spoken languages.

Reporting Tools

Progress Report Builder Deployment Guide (Windows only)

An administration and development guide for generating Report Builder reports using the Progress Report Engine.

Progress Report Builder Tutorial (Windows only)

A tutorial that provides step-by-step instructions for creating eight sample Report Builder reports.

Progress Report Builder User’s Guide (Windows only)

A guide for generating reports with the Progress Report Builder.

Progress Results Administration and Development Guide (Windows only)

A guide for system administrators that describes how to set up and maintain the Results product in a graphical environment. This guide also describes how to program, customize, and package Results with your own products. In addition, it describes how to convert character-based Results applications to graphical Results applications.

Progress Results User’s Guide for Windows and Progress Results User’s Guide for UNIX

Platform-specific guides for users with little or no programming experience that explain how to query, report, and update information with Results. Each guide also helps advanced users and application developers customize and integrate Results into their own applications.

4GL

Building Distributed Applications Using the Progress AppServer

A guide that provides comprehensive information about building and implementing distributed applications using the Progress AppServer. Topics include basic product information and terminology, design options and issues, setup and maintenance considerations, 4GL programming details, and remote debugging.

Progress External Program Interfaces

A guide to accessing non-Progress applications from Progress. This guide describes how to use system clipboards, UNIX named pipes, Windows dynamic link libraries, Windows dynamic data exchange, Windows ActiveX controls, and the Progress Host Language Call Interface to communicate with non-Progress applications and extend Progress functionality.

Progress Internationalization Guide

A guide to developing Progress applications for markets worldwide. The guide covers both internationalization—writing an application so that it adapts readily to different locales (languages, cultures, or regions)—and localization—adapting an application to different locales.

Progress Language Reference

A three-volume reference set that contains extensive descriptions and examples for each statement, phrase, function, operator, widget, attribute, method, and event in the Progress language.

Progress Programming Handbook

A two-volume handbook that details advanced Progress programming techniques.

Database

Progress Database Design Guide

A guide that uses a sample database and the Progress Data Dictionary to illustrate the fundamental principles of relational database design. Topics include relationships, normalization, indexing, and database triggers.

Progress Database Administration Guide and Reference

This guide describes Progress database administration concepts and procedures. The procedures allow you to create and maintain your Progress databases and manage their performance.

DataServers

Progress DataServer Guides

These guides describe how to use the DataServers to access non-Progress databases. They provide instructions for building the DataServer modules, a discussion of programming considerations, and a tutorial. Each DataServer has its own guide, for example, the Progress DataServer for ODBC Guide , the Progress DataServer for ORACLE Guide , or the Progress/400 Product Guide .

MERANT ODBC Branded Driver Reference

The Enterprise DataServer for ODBC includes MERANT ODBC drivers for all the supported data sources. For configuration information, see the MERANT documentation, which is available as a PDF file in installation-path\odbc. To read this file you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 3.1 or higher installed on your system. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it from the Adobe Web site at: http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.

SQL-89/Open Access

Progress Embedded SQL-89 Guide and Reference

A guide to Progress Embedded SQL-89 for C, including step-by-step instructions on building ESQL-89 applications and reference information on all Embedded SQL-89 Preprocessor statements and supporting function calls. This guide also describes the relationship between ESQL-89 and the ANSI standards upon which it is based.

Progress Open Client Developer’s Guide

A guide that describes how to write and deploy Java and ActiveX applications that run as clients of the Progress AppServer. The guide includes information about how to expose the AppServer as a set of Java classes or as an ActiveX server.

Progress SQL-89 Guide and Reference

A user guide and reference for programmers who use interactive Progress/SQL-89. It includes information on all supported SQL-89 statements, SQL-89 Data Manipulation Language components, SQL-89 Data Definition Language components, and supported Progress functions.

SQL-92

Progress Embedded SQL-92 Guide and Reference

A guide to Progress Embedded SQL-92 for C, including step-by-step instructions for building ESQL-92 applications and reference information about all Embedded SQL-92 Preprocessor statements and supporting function calls. This guide also describes the relationship between ESQL-92 and the ANSI standards upon which it is based.

Progress JDBC Driver Guide

A guide to the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) interface and the Progress SQL-92 JDBC driver. It describes how to set up and use the driver and details the driver’s support for the JDBC interface.

Progress ODBC Driver Guide

A guide to the ODBC interface and the Progress SQL-92 ODBC driver. It describes how to set up and use the driver and details the driver’s support for the ODBC interface.

Progress SQL-92 Guide and Reference

A user guide and reference for programmers who use Progress SQL-92. It includes information on all supported SQL-92 statements, SQL-92 Data Manipulation Language components, SQL-92 Data Definition Language components, and Progress functions. The guide describes how to use the Progress SQL-92 Java classes and how to create and use Java stored procedures and triggers.

Deployment

Progress Client Deployment Guide

A guide that describes the client deployment process and application administration concepts and procedures.

Progress Developer’s Toolkit

A guide to using the Developer’s Toolkit. This guide describes the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies for deploying Progress applications and explains how you can use the Toolkit to deploy applications with your selected strategy.

Progress Portability Guide

A guide that explains how to use the Progress toolset to build applications that are portable across all supported operating systems, user interfaces, and databases, following the Progress programming model.

WebSpeed

Getting Started with WebSpeed

Provides an introduction to the WebSpeed Workshop tools for creating Web applications. It introduces you to all the components of the WebSpeed Workshop and takes you through the process of creating your own Intranet application.

WebSpeed Installation and Configuration Guide

Provides instructions for installing WebSpeed on Windows and UNIX systems. It also discusses designing WebSpeed environments, configuring WebSpeed Brokers, WebSpeed Agents, and the NameServer, and connecting to a variety of data sources.

WebSpeed Developer’s Guide

Provides a complete overview of WebSpeed and the guidance necessary to develop and deploy WebSpeed applications on the Web.

WebSpeed Product Update Bulletin

A booklet that provides a brief description of each new feature of the release. The booklet also explains where to find more detailed information in the documentation set about each new feature.

Welcome to WebSpeed! (Hard copy only)

A booklet that explains how WebSpeed software and media are packaged. Welcome to WebSpeed! also provides descriptions of the various services Progress Software Corporation offers.

Reference

Pocket Progress (Hard copy only)

A reference that lets you quickly look up information about the Progress language or programming environment.

Pocket WebSpeed (Hard copy only)

A reference that lets you quickly look up information about the SpeedScript language or the WebSpeed programming environment.


Copyright © 2004 Progress Software Corporation
www.progress.com
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Fax: (781) 280-4095