hello,
My application is built in VB6 and i'd like to upgrade to VB.NET and make
some fairly large changes at the same time.
The application writes a script (simular to VBScript) for the user based on
their selection from combo boxes and entries into text boxes etc, the script
is then used in a seperate application. The app basically makes it easy for
someone who cannot code to create that code from english language
expressions.
What i'd like to do with VB.NET is to re-design the application with more of
an OO approach. I'd like the user to be able to drag functions from a
toolbox like structure and place them on a form (canvas is a better
description) then have access to the functions properties by LMC etc. The
user should be able to move the objects around on the canvas, delete them
etc. Basically its script in a graphical format with english language
description.
Once the user has finished dragging and dropping functions, filling in
properties, adding parenthesis and all the other things one does when
writing code they will be able to save the whole thing as a unit. The
resultant generated script code would also be color coded and presented to
the user in a seperate code window.
I'm also thinking about the option for users to type in code and generate
the graphical output.
I'd like the users to be able to add new functions to the toolbox.
I'll be adding lot of validation so options just wont be available for the
users to connect functions which obviously dont go together.
For me its going to be quite a challange because I'm use to procedural
programming not OO.
What I was wanting is some general pointers from programmers about the best
approach to take for the various aspects of the application
ie.
What would be the best approach to build the toolbox bearing in mind the
users need to be able to add new functions.
Would the best approach to the 'canvas' be to use a form and GDI+
Does anyone know of a sample application that I could learn some of these
approaches from.
I've been reading many books and have done much searching on the net for
tips and methods to approach these tasks and am feeling a little overwhelmed
with the labrinth of possibilities, so if you can narrow down the
possibilities i would be greatful. I'm not looking for detailed explanations
of how to do these tasks just general pointers in the right direction.
Regards,
Paul
