AppMaker - v2.0

********** What it does:
	AppMaker creates a skeleton for a Windows based application which is compatible with 
Visual C++ and MFC 2.0. It stops you from constantly copying the source to Generic.exe each 
time you want to put together a quick test program.

********** Important Notice.
	I received many valuable inputs from several people regarding the original AppMaker.
Several of you pointed out many things that were wrong with the generated code.... everything
from not using OnPostNcDestroy() properly to the problems and pitfalls of registering a HICON
to the window class (dialog) of the main application window. Thank you all.

	Unfortunately I no longer have your names and CompuServe account numbers to give you
the proper credit you deserve. If you have questions, comments and/or problems then let me know
and I will do my best to answer them. If you sent your feedback to the OLD CompuServe account
then you probably didn't get a reply. I no longer get mail at that account number. Please use
my new CServe number which is 74261,1263. I no longer receive mail at the old number. No, I'm
not rude. I just never got your message(s). 

********** How much is it?
	It's free (still and probably forever) !

********** Revision History
v2.0	Major re-write. New user interface. New internal code generator. Win32 support for
	VC++ for Windows NT. Many more options all around. Better code generation since
	several of the problems (bugs) that existed with the original generated code have
	been corrected.

v1.4	Limited release. Fixed some annoying bugs found in previous versions.

v1.3	Added 'Options...' to the 'File' menu which allows you to select the name for your
	main window class, icon accelerator and menu resources. Cleaned up a few lines of code
	which create the 3D look which were causing problems with Win32. Minor optimizations
	to the file I/O section which slightly improves speed. Added (this) revision history.

v1.2	Received a fair amount of interest and user input. The dialog box has been re-arranged.
	There is a Comments box that gives additional  information on the option which you are
	currently selecting. Click on the options with a mouse and info on that item will be
	displayed. I'm sure AppMaker won't win any usability awards but it is a step in the
	right direction. Optional DDV/DDX support has been added.

v1.1	Initial release into the public domain. Added a Windows user interface to the program
	so that it would be usable by others. Internally it is essentially the same as v1.0.
	Externally it sported a real UI rather than relying on command line switches to select
	various options.

v1.0	Initial application written as a text-only DOS app. I was tired of having all of my
	applications named 'Generic.exe' so I wrote AppMaker to help me generate a quick
	Windows application whenever I needed one. 


********** Why not use AppWizard?
	If you are creating a LARGE application like Excel or WinWord then AppWizard will get 
you off to a good running start. SMALL applications are a different story. Small applications are 
created frequently to try a new piece of code or to test a DLL. Sometimes all you want to do is 
display some text and send a few messages to another window.

	In times like this a full-blown application doesn't make sense. You don't want the 
overhead and hassles of multiple source and header files along with a Document-View 
architecture. All you want is a simple and functional Windows program.

********** Advantages of AppMaker:
	1 - Your main window is a dialog box. This allows you to use AppStudio to design and 
draw your main window much like Visual Basic does.

	2 - You application will not fall short on functionality. Your application will have
an icon, menu, accelerators, etc.

	3 - The windows dialog manager takes care of WM_PAINT (OnPaint) messages as well 
as tabbing between the various controls. You don't have to deal with any of this.

	4 - You still have 100% access to all of your development tools such as AppStudio and 
ClassWizard to help code and build your application.

********** How do I start using it ?
	The only file you need is AppMaker.exe. Run it and select a empty directory from the 
Dir. list box. Enter name for your new application name in the edit box. The application name is 
limited to 8 chars. and must not contain commas, periods or any other characters which can not 
be used in a filename. Select the options you want and press the 'Create' button. A dialog box 
will appear telling you that the application has been created and what to do next.

********** I want to know more details!
	Several files (.CPP, .H, .DEF, .RC, .MAK, etc) will be created using the application name 
as the base name of the files. Open the makefile (.MAK) from Visual Workbench or double click 
on it using File Manager. You can compile the program immediately after opening the project. 
You may also want to open and view the .CPP file for more information.

	Although the application does nothing, it will display a empty dialog box. You can go into 
AppStudio and edit the dialog box. You can add controls and message handlers for them. As 
mentioned at the top of the .CPP file, you will have to perform a few simple steps when you use 
ClassWizard for the first time on a new application.

********** CTL3D.H !!!!!
	Many people have had questions regarding CTL3D.H. Most questions usually go 
something like this: "I try to compile the program but I get an error saying that the compiler can't 
find CTL3D.H".

	 I will try to explain this in hopes of making it clear to all. The option labeled '3D 
Controls (CTL3D)'. The 'CTL3D' is a hint that you need CTL3D.H and CTL3D.LIB to compile and 
link. This allows your application to have the 'high tech' 3D look (sort of like AppMaker). If you 
DO NOT have Ctl3D.h and Ctl3d.lib then DO NOT select this option when running AppMaker. If 
you have Ctl3d.h and Ctl3d.lib then you can select this option if you want the 3D look for your 
application. (Appmaker expects to find these files in the same place as the rest of your .LIB and 
.H files.)

	I have not included Ctl3D.lib and Ctl3d.h. They are available online from the Microsoft 
forums. If you want these files then download them since they will be current with 
documentation, help files and all the other goodies.

********** In closing.....
	I hope you find AppMaker useful and that these instructions adequate. If there is another 
application out there (shareware or retail) with the name AppMaker, I apologize for accidentally 
naming this program the same as yours. No harm is intended.

	If you don't understand my instructions or how this works, drop me a line. I'd be glad to 
talk to you about it. If you have any other questions/comments/suggestions then let me know. I 
can be reached on CompuServe at 74261,1263 or by voice at (315) 732-4542.

Final Note: AppMaker requires CTL3D.DLL to run. The latest version which I have is included 
with this. Place CTL3D.DLL in your Windows\System directory if it isn't already there.

Best of luck to all!

	- Mark Szamrej - 



