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The Windows Functionality Suite is a set of REALbasic classes and modules that provide convenient access to features that are not already included in the REALbasic framework. It is an on-going open source project that includes many different pieces of Windows-specific functionality for your application. It is provided free of charge and includes a rich feature set, including:

  • Error reporting and application recovery
  • VB Compatible Functions
  • FTP Support
  • Console support
  • System Parameters, Colors and Metrics
  • OS Version and Process Information
  • Service Support
  • System Colors
  • Registry Helpers
  • High Performance Counters
  • Locale Information
  • Cryptography
  • Plug and Play Notifications
  • StatusBar Control
  • TreeView Control
  • Date/Time and Calendar Controls
  • Extended ToolTip Support
  • Window and FolderItem Extensions
  • And Much More!
What version of REALbasic does the Windows Functionality Suite 2.0 (and up) support?

Version 2.0 and up are only supported on REALbasic 2006r3 and higher. This is due to the Suite's heavy reliance on language features present in that version, as well as testing requirements. With some modifications, you may be able to use the Suite with older versions of REALbasic up to 2005r1.


But I have REALbasic 5.5! What can I do?

The Windows Functionality Suite 1.1 will still be available so you can support legacy versions of REALbasic. You are also welcome to download the Windows Functionality Suite 2.0 and modify it so that it works in older versions of REALbasic. However, if you do so, you will lose a lot of great features such as full Unicode support.


This is great, how much does it cost?

Nothing. The Windows Functionality Suite is an open source project and is free for you to use in any way you see fit. The code is covered by an MIT license, so you do not have to worry about many restrictive licensing issues with it. However, if you use the Suite and would like to give credit in your application, feel free to!


Do you like what you see? Do you make millions of dollars on a project that uses the Windows Functionality Suite? Then maybe you'd like to donate some money to help out with maintenance costs!

What's New in Version 2.5?


The main focus of the latest release has been to add functionality present in Windows Vista. This includes updating some existing classes such as OSVersionInformation and SystemParameters, as well as adding entirely new sets of functionality.

This release adds support for Windows Error Reporting so that you can customize the error reports your application sends to Microsoft when your application crashes. It also adds support for application crash recovery (so you can recover data if your application crashes) and restart functionality so you can automatically restart your application after a crash. In addition to all of the great new functionality, there have been serveral important bug fixes.

See the version history for a complete listing of changes for version 2.5.1.


Older News


When Windows Functionality Suite 2.4 was release, there were some major structural changes. A large effort was made to restructure the project so that the functionality was in a more sensible and understandable location. This involved moving some functionality from one namespace to another. Because of this, your projects may need some updating in order to work with the new version. Detailed changes to code you will need to modify are below:

  • Win32DeclareLibrary.Ping, MapNetworkDrive, UnmapNetworkDrive, MapNetworkDriveDialog, UnmapNetworkDriveDialog have been moved to the Networking module
  • Win32DeclareLibrary.FindWindowHandleFromPartialTitle, CountWindowsWithPartialTitle have been moved to the UIExtras module
  • Win32DeclareLibrary.SelectMultipleFiles, GetFreeDiskSpace, GetTotalFreeSpace, GetDriveType, GetDriveStrings, GetSpecialFolder have been moved to the FileProcessing module
  • Win32DeclareLibrary.GetLoggedInUserName, GetSystemName, GetHostName, GetComputerName, NumberOfProcessors, SystemMasterVolume, WavVolume, OSVersionString, SetScreenResolution, Shutdown (and its constants), CPUUsage have been moved to the SystemInformation module
  • Win32DeclareLibrary.ApplicationPriority (and its constants), GetActiveProcesses, GetFrontmostWindowProcessInformation, GetFrontmostWindowHandle have been moved to the ProcessManagement module
  • The LocaleInformation module has been replaced by a class of the same name. This class provides much more locale information, and can be used to get information about more than just the user's default locale. To convert from the module code to the class code, you simply need to call LocaleInformation.DefaultLocale.QueriedValue instead of LocaleInformation.QueriedValue. This will use a singleton instance of the user's default locale. Note that LocaleInformation.TimeZoneInformation has moved to the SystemInformation module.
  • Win32DeclareLibrary.CaptureScreen, LoadIcon, DialogUnitsToPixels, ChooseFont, ChooseLogicalFont have moved to the GraphicsHelpers module

In addition to the internal structure of the code, the external face of the suite has changed as well. The Windows Functionality Suite is now meant to be used as a Project Template. To install the Windows Functionality Suite, you should unzip the entire contents of the archive into your IDE's Project Templates folder. Note that for some versions of REALbasic, you may have to create this folder yourself. The folder should reside next to the IDE on your file system. To use the Suite, you simply go to File->New Project in REALbasic, and you will see all of the suite parts as templates. If you have a specific use in mind, then you can use an individual part. Otherwise, you can simply use the Windows Functionality Suite main project to gain all of the functionality in your new project. If you wish to use some functionality in an existing project, all of the parts of the WFS are included as external items, which you can then import into your project as needed.

Contributors

Special thanks to all the contributors for this project. If you wish to contribute and also show up on this list, please email any submissions to aaron@aaronballman.com
  • Aaron Ballman
  • Alessandro Consorti
  • Anthony Cyphers
  • Brian Rathbone
  • Carlos Martinho
  • Douglas Anderson
  • François Van Lerberghe
  • Jon Johnson
  • Joe Ranieri
  • Mario Buchichio
  • Mark Nutter
  • Peter De Berdt
  • Richard
  • Scott Shriver
  • Seth Willits
  • Stephen Tallent
  • "The One"
  • Tom Dixon
  • Tom Russell
  • Tomas Camin

Download

You can download your copy of the Windows Functionality Suite 2.5.1 here.

Version History

Version 2.5.1 -- Jan 06 2008
May 07 2007 -- Added a FolderItem extension method called DeleteOnReboot, thanks to Anthony G. Cyphers
May 17 2007 -- Added the ability to empty the recycle bin for a given drive, or all drives, thanks to Anthony G. Cyphers
May 17 2007 -- Added the ability to query the recyle bin's size and item count for a given drive or all drives, thanks to Anthony G. Cyphers
Jun 12 2007 -- Fixed the Calendar control so that it works at positions other than 0, 0 without an improper border.
Jun 25 2007 -- Added the State method pair to the Progress class to allow you to set normal, paused and error states for a progress indicator.
Aug 01 2007 -- Fixed a compile error with 2007r4

Version 2.5 -- Mar 27 2007
Jul 16 2006 -- Added the ability to create system restore points (ME/XP and up) to the Win32DeclareLibrary module
Jul 20 2006 -- Fixed FTPSession.SetLocalDirectory so that it compiles for platforms other than Windows
Aug 01 2006 -- Added a TCPSocket extension called TransmitFile which will send a file over the network for you. Note that the stream you pass in to the API must remain open until the send has completed.
Aug 13 2006 -- Updated the SystemParameters module for the new information exposed in Vista
Aug 14 2006 -- Updated the SystemMetrics module for the new information exposed in XP SP 2 and Vista
Sep 10 2006 -- Incorporated several features for the StatusBar class, thanks to Carlos Martinho
Sep 29 2006 -- Fixed MDIWindowExtensions.enumChildProc on non-NT systems, thanks to Carlos Martinho
Nov 28 2006 -- Fixed ToolTip so that it works properly on Windows 2000
Dec 22 2007 -- Added IsVista and IsNT6 to the OSVersionInformation module
Jan 11 2007 -- Fixed WindowExtensions.FreezeUpdade and UnfreezeUpdate so that they no longer do the incorrect thing
Jan 27 2007 -- Added LaunchAsAdministrator to the FolderItemExtensions module for systems which support the "runas" verb
Feb 02 2007 -- Fixed OSVersionInformation so that it works properly on Windows 98
Feb 06 2007 -- Added the ErrorReport class for error reporting in Vista
Feb 10 2007 -- Added the HasShield setter to the PushButtonExtensions module
Feb 18 2007 -- Fixed the Win32Mutex class so that it no longer uses "global" (a newly-reservered keyword) as a parameter name
Mar 01 2007 -- FTPSession no longer has a default property value which is incorrect
Mar 03 2007 -- Added the Terminate method to the ProcessInformation class. Use this method with caution as it can cause data loss
Mar 08 2007 -- Added the IniFile module to the File Processing Template, thanks to Alessandro Consorti
Mar 09 2007 -- Added the BinaryStreamExtensions module which exposes ways to read CStrings and WStrings
Mar 12 2007 -- Added the ApplicationRecovery module and ApplicationRecoveryCallbackProvider interface for application recovery services on Vista
Mar 18 2007 -- Fixed FileAssociation.Register so that it's only compiled for Windows
Mar 18 2007 -- Fixed FolderItemExtensions.Reveal so that it's only compiled for Windows
Mar 19 2007 -- Updated SystemInformation.GetDefaultPrinter and SetDefaultPrinter to use newer APIs whenever available
Mar 20 2007 -- Fixed GraphicsHelpers.CaptureScreen so that it uses the withCursor parameter

Version 2.4 -- Jul 11 2006
Jul 10 2006 -- Added a large number of properties and a few methods to the LocaleInformation class.
Jul 09 2006 -- Removed the LocaleInformation module from the SystemInformation template and replaced it with a class of the same name. Note that you will need to update your code accordingly.
Jul 06 2006 -- The StatusBar class can now be used with MDI windows as well as SDI windows
Jul 03 2006 -- Added GraphicsHelpers.IsSymbolFont as a way to test whether the current font uses symbols
Jul 01 2006 -- Added GraphicsHelpers.CanBeDisplayed to test whether a string can be displayed using the current font
Jun 27 2006 -- Added the ability to temporarily install fonts
Jun 16 2006 -- Added a number of new methods to the Registry module for CPU and BIOS information, thanks to Anthony Cyphers
Jun 10 2006 -- Added the Like function to the VB module, thanks to Mark Nutter
Jun 07 2006 -- Added a new application subclass called KioskApplication to the Misc templates
May 26 2006 -- Added the Font class to give you full access to font creation APIs
May 15 2006 -- Added the WebCam module to the GraphicsHelpersTemplate, adapted from code by Anthony Cyphers
May 03 2006 -- The WndProcHelpers module can now subclass Window, MDIWindow and Integer (HWND handle) instead of just Window
Apr 29 2006 -- Added the AppActivate function to VBCompatTemplate that works off a window title instead of PID
Apr 19 2006 -- Added Pmt, PV and FV functions to the VBCompatTemplate
Apr 18 2006 -- Modified UIExtras.ChooseFont to include setting default style information, thanks to Joe Ranieri
Apr 10 2006 -- Added a VB Compatibility module which gives VB APIs to your REALbasic projects
Mar 04 2006 -- Fixed all places using LongLongToDouble hacks so that they use native datatypes on 2006r1 and higher
Mar 04 2006 -- Fixed all places using a plugin SDK hack to get an HDC for a picture so that it uses Graphics.Handle on 2006r1 and higher
Apr 01 2006 -- Completed refactoring of the project into multiple templates

Version 2.3 -- Mar 03 2006
Jan 30 2006 -- Added Win32DeclareLibrary.DialogUnitsToPixels
Jan 20 2006 -- Added FolderItem.Reveal
Jan 17 2006 -- Fixed a bug in the FolderItemExtensions.AssociateExtension code, thanks to Mario Buchichio
Jan 05 2006 -- Fixed a compiler error that prevented the suite from compiling in RB2006r1
Dec 30 2005 -- Added the EditField.LineSpacing extension. Currently supports 1, 1.5 and 2 line spaces
Nov 25 2005 -- Added the InternetSession, FTPSession and FindFile classes
Nov 10 2005 -- Added the Console class to give you more complete control over a console from within a GUI application
Oct 31 2005 -- Fixed Win32DeclareLibrary.CaptureScreen so that it captures transparent windows as well, thanks to Scott Shriver
Oct 31 2005 -- Added Win32DeclareLibrary.GenerateKeyDown and GenerateKeyUp as alternatives to PressKey
Oct 24 2005 -- Added the Win32DeclareLibrary.CPUUsage function, which returns the current CPU load (as a percentage)
Oct 21 2005 -- Added the SystemMemory module
Oct 19 2005 -- Added the InternetConnection module, modified from code by Carlos Martinho
Oct 16 2005 -- Added the FileAssociation class to give you more control over how to associate a file with an application.

Version 2.2 -- Oct 13 2005
Oct 13 2005 -- Added the ability to query a service for the current state. Thanks to Richard
Sep 03 2005 -- Changed Service.Continue to be Service.Resume so that it doesn't conflict with the new Continue keyword in REALbasic 2005r3
Aug 11 2005 -- Fixed CaptureScreen so that it does not leak memory.

Version 2.1 -- Jun 15, 2005
Jun 15 2005 -- Fixed SelectMultipleFiles so that it would properly return the first item of a multiple selection as a file, not a folder. Thanks to Tom Russell

Version 2.0 -- Jun 14, 2005
Jun 11 2005 -- Added a new SystemColor for the dark button color, as well as a new test window for the SystemColors module, thanks to Tom Dixon
Jun 10 2005 -- Fixed a bug with loading icons when you pass a .ico file with the LoadIcon method. Also, changed the parameter to default to -1
Jun 06 2005 -- Fixed SelectMultipleFiles so that it works properly when one file is selected, thanks to Douglas Anderson
Jun 05 2005 -- Changed the WndProcSubclass interface so that it properly handled messages where returning 0 means you've handled the message. You *must* update your code because of this change.
Jun 03 2005 -- Extended the CaptureScreen method to optionally include the mouse cursor, thanks to Brian Rathbone
May 28 2005 -- Fixed some exceptions that would occur in the IsX string functions of the Win32DeclareLibrary module
May 25 2005 -- Added the DisplaySettings module, thanks to Brian Rathbone
May 20 2005 -- Fixed a bug in WndProcHelpers so that the same window can be subclassed multiple times
May 15 2005 -- Fixed StatusBar so that it subclasses the owner window and handles its own resizing messages. You no longer need to call StatusBar.Resize manually
May 12 2005 -- Added an extension method to the Window class so you can set its icon.
May 03 2005 -- Modified the test application to allow you to create a new test window via a menu
May 03 2005 -- Fixed a problem with the mutex never closing when the window closed
May 01 2005 -- Fixed some of the examples so that they functioned within a MDI application (such as moving the mouse cursor)
Apr 25 2005 -- Extended the FolderItem class so you can copy and move files with a progress indicator
Apr 17 2005 -- Added ProcessInformation.BringToFront to bring all windows associated with a process to the front.
Apr 11 2005 -- Added ways to tile and cascade children windows of an MIWindow
Apr 09 2005 -- Added the MDIWindowExtensions module to let you set some more properties of App.MDIWindow
Apr 06 2005 -- Added Window.IsMinimized and IsMaximized to the window extensions
Apr 02 2005 -- Added a way to hook keyboard messages for the current application to the Hooks module
Apr 02 2005 -- Added the Hooks.TranslateKeyToString function to help with the keyboard hook
Mar 26 2005 -- Added the Hooks module and added the idle hook there. Deprecated the idle hook handler from the Win32DeclareLibrary module
Mar 10 2005 -- Fixed Window.Mask and Window.Alpha so they will not throw loader assertions on older versions of Windows
Mar 06 2005 -- Added the PerformanceCounter module for high performance counters
Mar 06 2005 -- Added FolderItem.AddToRecentItems to let you stick a shortcut to the FolderItem in the recent items list
Mar 05 2005 -- Added two new Shutdown methods -- one for shutting down (rebooting or logging off) with UI, and the other for displaying the standard Shutdown dialog.
Mar 03 2005 -- You can now set the screen resolution for the display (width, height and bits per pixel).
Mar 02 2005 -- Added a HexCanvas for viewing process memory, thanks to Jon Johnson
Mar 02 2005 -- Can now view process memory from a HeapEntryInformation block.
Mar 02 2005 -- Added the HeapListInformation and HeapEntryInformation classes and now ProcessInformation instances can now check heap information
Feb 28 2005 -- Added the ThreadInformation class and now ProcessInformation instances can contain a list of loaded threads
Feb 28 2005 -- Added the ModuleInformation class and now ProcessInformation instances can contain a list of loaded modules as well
Feb 26 2005 -- Added MapNetworkDriveDialog and UnmapNetworkDriveDialog for user interaction with network drive mapping
Feb 25 2005 -- Added Map and Unmap network drive support
Feb 20 2005 -- Added the ability to set icons and tooltips in the StatusBar
Feb 19 2005 -- The PlugAndPlay module is now Unicode-savvy.
Feb 17 2005 -- Win32DeclareLibrary.GetActiveProcesses, GetActiveProcessNames and ProcessInformation are now Unicode-savvy
Feb 17 2005 -- The TreeView control is now Unicode-savvy
Feb 16 2005 -- Fixed a bug with the HotKey functionality so that it no longer throws a NilObjectException.
Feb 15 2005 -- Fixed a bug with failing to initialize the Cryptography module properly.
Feb 15 2005 -- The Cryptography and SystemParameters modules are now Unicode-savvy.
Feb 13 2005 -- WndProcHelpers and HotKeyHelpers are now Unicode-savvy.
Feb 11 2005 -- The ServiceManager module is now Unicode-savvy.
Feb 10 2005 -- The LocaleInformation module is now Unicode-savvy.
Feb 07 2005 -- Added new functionality to the StatusBar class for adding and modifying parts.
Feb 05 2005 -- Win32DeclareLibrary.SelectMultipleFiles is now Unicode-savvy.
Feb 03 2005 -- Added Registry.WallpaperStyle to set the style for displaying desktop wallpaper
Jan 29 2005 -- The Progress class is now Unicode-savvy.
Jan 25 2005 -- SetDefaultPrinter is now Unicode-savvy
Jan 24 2005 -- Renamed GetVolumeSerial (returning an Integer) to GetVolumeSerialNumber (fixes a compiler error)
Jan 24 2005 -- Renamed ChooseFont (returning a LogicalFont) to ChooseLogicalFont (fixes a compiler error)
Jan 22 2005 -- LoadIcon and OSVersionString are now Unicode-savvy
Jan 20 2005 -- GetTotalBytes, GetTotalFreeSpace, GetVolumeName, GetVolumeSerial, GetVolumeSerialNumber are now Unicode-savvy
Jan 18 2005 -- GetFreeDiskSpaceForCaller, GetLoggedInUserName, GetSystemName and GetSpecialFolder are now Unicode-savvy
Jan 17 2005 -- Encrypting and Decrypting NTFS files is now Unicode-savvy
Jan 16 2005 -- Finding a window handle from a partial title is now Unicode-savvy
Jan 14 2005 -- Win32DeclareLibrary.FormatErrorMessage, GetDriveStrings, GetDriveType is now Unicode-savvy
Jan 12 2005 -- GetComputerName, GetDefaultPrinter is now Unicode-savvy
Jan 10 2005 -- IPAddress is now Unicode-savvy.
Jan 06 2005 -- LogicalFont and CountWindowsWithPartialTitle are now Unicode-savvy.
Jan 06 2005 -- Added Win32DeclareLibrary.ChooseFont that returns a LogicalFont and is Unicode-savvy
Jan 05 2005 -- Made OSVersionInformation Unicode-savvy
Jan 05 2005 -- Fixed typo, it's now OSSuites instead of OSSuit
Jan 05 2005 -- Added OSVersionInformation.ServicePack
Jan 04 2005 -- Made DateTimePicker and Calender Unicode-savvy
Jan 03 2005 -- Made FolderItemExtensions, Win32Mutex, Service, StatusBar and ToolTip Unicode-savvy
Dec 30 2004 -- Added GetActiveProcesses, GetFrontmostWindowProcessInformation and the ProcessInformation class
Dec 29 2004 -- Added the GetFrontmostWindowHandle method
Dec 28 2004 -- Added a way to capture the screen to a Picture