The Window BOSS
                                        &
                                   Data Clerk


                                Revision 07.01.90
                                  Version 5.17





                         Star Guidance Consulting, Inc.
                                 273 Windy Drive
                          Waterbury, Connecticut 06705

                                 (203) 574-2449




                               _______
                          ____|__     |               (tm)
                       --|       |    |-------------------
                         |   ____|__  |  Association of
                         |  |       |_|  Shareware
                         |__|   o   |    Professionals
                       -----|   |   |---------------------
                            |___|___|    MEMBER





                Copyright (c) 1984-1990 by Philip A. Mongelluzzo
                               All Rights Reserved.





        The Window BOSS Shareware diskette,  containing a copy of this 
        manual  may  be freely copied and shared,  but printed copies  of 
        this document may not be copied in any way without permission  in 
        writing from Star Guidance Consulting.  Thank you.  
                                                     The Window BOSS



        1. Introduction

        The Window BOSS is one of the most powerful and cost-effective 
        products available to enhance and accelerate the development of 
        system and applications programs in the "C" language.  The BOSS 
        will let you create programs that have the same look and feel as 
        top sellers like Lotus 1-2-3, Sidekick, dBASE III, and Framework!  
        Pop-up windows, pull down menus, status lines, and in context on-
        line help functions can be easily implemented.  Your applications 
        can drag windows around the screen and automatically sense the 
        video card installed.  All of this without snow, flicker, or 
        delay! 

        The BOSS's assistant, The Data Clerk is always on call to handle 
        the tasks associated with data entry.  Whether they be as simple 
        as fetching a line of text or as complicated as the coordination 
        of filling out a form, the Data Clerk will be there to assist, 
        and if necessary, validate precious information as it is entered.

        Registered users can take advantage of our "Source Plus" policy 
        that provides meticulously commented source code, technical 
        support, and minimal fee updates.

        2. Technical Nitty Gritties

        The Window BOSS supports PC/MSDOS for the IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2 and 
        compatibles.   However, you'll need one of the following 
        compilers in order to take advantage of the state-of-the-art 
        techniques available from the BOSS:

                             Lattice C, Microsoft C
                       Microsoft Quick C, Borland Turbo C
                      Computer Innovations CI86, Datalight     
                       Watcom & Watcom Express C, Zortech
                              Aztec C, Mix Power C

        The BOSS is written in "C" and assembly language.  You'll need 
        the Microsoft Assembler, MASM, to assemble any local changes to 
        the assembler source.

          Stats:

             Maximum windows:    limited only by compiler and memory
             Maximum window:     full screen (25x80, 43x80, 50x80)
             Minimum window:     1 row 1 column (borderless)
                                 3 rows 3 columns (framed)
             Minimum fields:     none
             Maximum fields:     limited only by compiler and memory

          Operation:

             Simply include the library at link time and invoke the 
             function desired.  



                                                           Page: 1
                                                     The Window BOSS



        3. User Supported Software

        Star Guidance Consulting distributes The Window BOSS with a 
        unique marketing approach called Shareware.  The Shareware 
        diskette with the programs and manual may be freely copied and 
        shared.  It is also available from Star Guidance for $20.00. We 
        ask you to help us distribute The Window BOSS by sharing 
        unmodified copies of the Shareware diskette with others.  We also 
        encourage you to register your copy for $55.00.  You'll find a 
        registration form at the end of this manual.  Thank you for your 
        support and enjoy the BOSS.  

        3.1. Registering

        Shareware is a term for software that can be freely copied and 
        shared.  The term describes copyrighted software which the author 
        supports and encourages people to copy and share.

        Shareware is like public television:  the programming is freely 
        distributed, but support from users is encouraged.  The concept 
        is based on these principles:

          1. People need to try programs to see if they are useful.
          2. Software authors can be supported directly by users.
          3. Copying and networking of programs can be encouraged.

        We encourage you to register your copy of The Window BOSS for 
        $55.00.  Registration has a number of benefits to you:

          1. Serialized diskette containing all source code for all 
             supported compilers.
          2. Telephone Support and minimal fee updates. Minimal fees 
             cover the cost of media, packaging materials, shipping, 
             handling, and update preparation.
          3. Thanks from us for your support and encouragement!

        3.2. Support Services

        You may call, write, or use one of the supported commercial 
        services (CompuServe, GENIE, BIX) to obtain support and 
        assistance. Unless the problem is relatively complex, you will 
        get the best results by calling. Electronic mailboxes are checked 
        on daily basis (excluding weekends & holidays) and are a very 
        effective way of communicating. Electronic mailboxes are great 
        for passing problem code samples and receiving work-arounds 
        and/or problem specific updates. If you write, please include a 
        phone number and the times when you will be available. Our 
        response to written questions is much slower, but we do give 
        priority to overseas users. We are available between 9AM and 5PM 
        Monday through Friday, and sometimes on Saturday and Sunday.






                                                           Page: 2
                                                     The Window BOSS



        Support Services - continued.



        With reference to calls, if we do not call back, please remember 
        that about 20% of our call backs do not get completed because of 
        faulty phone numbers, unanswered, or busy phones. If we have not 
        called back within 1 business day, call us again.  Frequent, 
        difficult to reach, or foreign callers can expect "person to 
        person" collect return calls.

        3.2.1. Electronic Support

        Electronic support is provided on GENIE, CompuServe, and BIX.
        Support previously provided by our BBS is now provided on these 
        services.  You are strongly advised to obtain a USER ID on at 
        least one of these fine services as no other form of electronic 
        support can be provided.

        On GENIE, a special topic on the IBM PC Round Table Bulletin 
        Board has been set up to provide support to Window BOSS users.  
        The Window BOSS topic can be found in the "On-Line Product 
        Support" category of the Bulletin Board.  As of this writing, 
        the IBM PC Round Table main menu is page 615 and the "On-Line 
        Product Support" category is category # 9 of the Round Table's 
        Bulletin Board.  Simply move to page 615 by typing "M 615", 
        select the IBM PC Round Table Bulletin Board from the menu by 
        typing "1", then SET the category by typing "SET 9".  Reading and 
        entering messages is straight forward. The on-line help system 
        and GENIE's user guide should assist you if you have questions.  
        If you prefer, you can leave mail addressed to MONGELLUZZO.  
        Round Table and Mail messages are answered on a daily basis.  If 
        you need information on obtaining a GENIE account  you can call 
        GENIE toll free at 800-638-9636.

        CompuServe electronic correspondence is limited to EMAIL.  Our 
        EMAIL ID is [71565,1001].  SIG(s) are also occasionally checked 
        for messages but should not be considered a vehicle for effective 
        communication to Star Guidance.  If you are a CompuServe user and 
        you need to reach us, use EMAIL.  EMAIL messages are answered on 
        a daily basis.  If you need information on obtaining a CompuServe 
        account you can call CompuServe toll free at 800-848-8199.

        BIX electronic correspondence is limited to Electronic Mail.  Our 
        BIX NAME is "pmongelluzzo". The conference areas in the 
        "ibm.exchange" are also occasionally checked for messages but 
        should not be considered a vehicle for effective communication to 
        Star Guidance.  If you are a BIX user and you need to reach us, 
        use EMAIL.  EMAIL messages are answered on a daily basis.  If you 
        need information on BIX can reach them at 800-227-2983 (in 
        New Hampshire and outside the United States call 603-924-2983).





                                                           Page: 3
                                                     The Window BOSS



        4. The Basics

        The Window BOSS is an extensive library of C functions for the 
        creation, the management and the manipulation of text windows.  
        We take care of all the housekeeping and let you, the programmer, 
        get on with developing your application with a minimum of fuss.

        Both The Window BOSS and The Data Clerk are based on a layered 
        software design in which powerful, easy to use functions are 
        created from a series of lower level primitives.  As a 
        programmer, you will quickly appreciate our clean and uncluttered 
        approach to getting the job done.

        Windows are created and defined by opening them. Once created, 
        you can write to them, move them around, change their attributes, 
        use them as the basis for data entry, or "kill" them by closing 
        them.  Windows are nothing more than a sub display of a larger 
        display - the physical screen.  They are defined to have size, 
        location, and attributes like foreground color, background color, 
        border colors and so on.  The BOSS includes a whole host of 
        functions for defining and manipulating your windows.

        Windows can also serve as the backdrop for data entry.  Once a 
        window is created, you can use it to convey information or to 
        retrieve it!  The Data Clerk will assist you in obtaining the 
        desired goal, whether it be as simple as a single line of text or 
        as complex as a complete form. 

        Forms are an ordered collection of input requests (fields) that 
        occur within a specific window.  Fields have size, location 
        (relative to the window which they will be displayed in), and 
        attributes (foreground color, background color, mask values, fill 
        characters, type [integer, float, long, text], validation 
        ranges and so on).  Like windows, forms are created by opening 
        them.  Their contents must then be defined by using the field 
        definition functions provided, or with your own custom field 
        definition functions.  Once created and defined, a form becomes 
        part of the window and moves with it. Forms are "killed" by 
        closing them (n.b. killing a form has no effect on the window to 
        which it was anchored or to the information displayed in it, form 
        or otherwise). The same functions used to input single data items 
        are used to build forms.  This consistency, coupled with an 
        uncluttered approach and flexibility, gives The Window BOSS its 
        power.    












                                                           Page: 4
                                                     The Window BOSS



        4.1. Window Basics

        Here is the famous "hello" program!  As you can see it's pretty 
        simple to get windows into your applications with The Window 
        BOSS!!  You should review this code in conjunction with the 
        function descriptions found in this manual and the concepts 
        outlined in the Important Concepts section following the 
        examples.

        #include "windows.h"            /* REQUIRED */
        main()
        {
        WINDOWPTR w1;                   /* window handle */
        int batrib;                     /* border atrib */
        int watrib;                     /* window atrib */

        /*
         * Set attributes:
         *
         *      border - blue/white box
         *      window - white background/black letters
         *
        */

          batrib = (BLUE << 4) | WHITE; /* border atrib */
          watrib = (WHITE <<4) | BLACK; /* window atrib */

        /*
         * Open window at 0,0 - 25 cells wide and 10 cells high
        */

          w1 = wn_open(0,0,0,25,10,watrib,batrib);
          if(!w1) exit();       

        /*
         * Print the famous string and wait for key to be struck.
         * Close window on key strike.. exit.
        */

          wn_printf(w1,"Hello World...");
          v_getch();                    /* wait for key */
          wn_close(w1);                 /* close the window */
          exit(0);                      /* and exit */
        }