ClassMaster is a Visual Basic 4.0 add-in that is designed to aid the developer in the creation of Visual Basic classes. This beta version provides very basic functionality, and is released as shareware. Full registration of ClassMaster, upon release of the final product, will be $20. If you will register your name and email address as a beta tester, you may procure a full release of the final version for only $15.
Target platforms
ClassMaster should work with no problem under either version of Visual Basic 4.0 (16-bit or 32-bit), and on any attendant Windows operating system platform (Windows 3.1x, Windows NT 3.5, and Windows 95). However, extensive testing has not been conducted on each of these platforms. That's one of the big reasons why this product has been released as a beta this time around.
If you are using VB 4.0 for 16-bit development, use CLASS16.EXE. For 32-bit Visual Basic 4.0 devleloment, use CLASS32.EXE. This should go without saying, but just to be complete, ClassMaster cannot be used in any way with Visual Basic 3.0. VB 3.0 does not support classes nor add-ins.
Intent
Classes are not new, but they are new to many Visual Basic developers. This tool was designed primarily with simplicity in mind; that is, to allow basic definition of member variables, establish some fundamental naming conventions, create default Property procedures for each member variable, and generate the .CLS file that is then incorporated into the project.
There is no question that there are numerous other capabilities that are candidate for incorporation into a VB class development tool. Rather than try to "outguess" the number of VB developers that might be interested in ClassMaster and provide too many features, I opted to encourage feedback on the part of beta testers that download and use the tool.
Feedback
Please email all bug reports, comments, and suggestions for improvements to intrepid@ionet.net. Tell me what you like, what you don't like, and for that matter, if you think the tool is worth a $20 shareware fee. If you're feeling particularly generous, and would like to send the registration fee with the beta test, you may send a check or money order, payable in US funds, to the following address:
David Whitney
Attn: ClassMaster Registration
9101 Southlake Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73159-6721
Make all checks payable to David Whitney.
The schedule for release of a final version of ClassMaster is directly dependent upon bug reports and suggested improvements. The final version will include an improved help file, (the one included now is only adequate) and certainly more features.
Installation
Installation of ClassMaster is simple. Copy the appropriate .EXE file, CLASS32.EXE or CLASS16.EXE, to the VB directory on your hard drive. From a DOS window, type CLASS32 /REGSERVER (or CLASS16 /REGSERVER). The next time you start Visual Basic, go to the Add-in menu, select the Add-in Manager, and a list of available add-ins will be displayed. VB Classmaster should appear; click the checkbox to incorporate it into the VB IDE.
ClassMaster will now appear as another item under the Add-in menu. The ClassMaster main dialog pops up, from which you may create your classes. Be sure to copy the help file, CLASSMAS.HLP, to a directory in your system's PATH.
The help file contains references to all elements within ClassMaster, and hopefully provides the right amount of information to guide you along the way in developing your classes. You may press F1 at any time while ClassMaster is active to open the ClassMaster help file.
You may also run ClassMaster from the command line by supplying "/D" as a command-line switch. Obviously, the ability of ClassMaster to move a created class into an active VB project will not be available.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to download ClassMaster. I hope you find it to be of use in your development efforts. Please let me know how it can be made better!
Check for updates and other ClassMaster information at http://www.ionet.net/~intrepid
Notes
Visual Basic, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 3.11 are all registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.