
    Frequently Asked Questions About Guidelines  - 26th April 1994
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 This document aims to answer some of the more commonly asked questions 
 regarding the Guidelines product from JBA.


  - What is Guidelines?
  - Who are JBA?
  - What has changed since Version 2.0G?
  - What else do I need to generate OS/2 PM Applications?
  - Can I create non-GUI applications - and how about multi-threading?
  - Why JOT ? 
  - How good is the generated code?
  - What if I find I need to accomplish tasks which are not possible within 
      the JOT language?
  - Is there an associated runtime module, and do I have to pay a per copy 
      licence fee ? And what about sources?
  - How do I report problems and get technical support ?
  - How do I obtain fixes?
  - What Guidelines products are currently available from JBA?
  - What other extensions and controls are planned, and when?
  - Does Guidelines support the User Interface Class Library provided 
      with CSet++?
  - What about cross platform development?
  - How do I contact JBA?



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 - What is Guidelines?

 Guidelines is a 32 bit OS/2 hosted development tool which provides 
 developers with a powerful way to interactively design and implement 
 applications.

 The Graphical User Interface (GUI) portion of the application is created 
 visually by direct manipulation of the various controls. In other words, the 
 mouse is used to select the various windows and controls from a supported 
 set, and position them on the screen. A number of functions allow for easy 
 alignment and scaling of the controls to easily achieve a professional 
 effect.

 Guidelines supports the event driven architecture of modern GUIs. The 
 developer writes the code to respond to these events in a platform neutral 
 high level language named JOT. 

 Guidelines provides an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), providing 
 access to all aspects of application development via a common menu. An editor 
 is provided for entry and modification of the supporting JOT code. 

 When an application has been written, Guidelines will generate native C++ 
 Presentation Manager or Windows code and all the other supporting files 
 (Makefiles, Resource files, IPF files etc) which make up that application. 
 It will then invoke the developer's C++ compiler and other tools 
 appropriately to create the final executable (EXE) or dynamic linked library 
 (DLL) and any supporting help (HLP) files.

 Guidelines is a part of JBA's systems solutions strategy. It can be used to 
 generate standalone OS/2 and Windows applications, or integrated with JBA's 
 AS/400 extensions to generate large Client/Server applications.

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 - Who are JBA?

 JBA are one of the world's largest software developers for IBM's midrange 
 market. They have direct and affiliate representation in many countries 
 worldwide, including Canada, United States, Britain, Asia and Australia, and 
 have been operating on this global basis for over 12 years.

 Guidelines is their first major product for the PC marketplace, forming an 
 integral part of their overall Client/Server solutions strategy. 

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 - What has changed since Version 2.0G?

 A separate document which describes the changes is available as NEWFEAT.INF.
 It is installed as part of the base pack, and available as part of 
 GUIDOC.ZIP.

 In short, we have added Windows code generation capability plus support for 
 Watcom and Borland compilers, and Profile (INI) functions, all as part of
 this base release.

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 - What else do I need to generate applications?

 Guidelines generates the C++ code and supporting files for an application, 
 but you will still need to have a supported C++ compiler and the toolkit for 
 the platform for which you are targeting.

 Currently supported compilers include IBM's CSet++ 2.1A, Borland C++ for 
 OS/2 V1.01, Watcom C++ V9.5 (for OS/2 targets) and Borland C++ for DOS/Win 
 V3.1 (for Windows Targets). Support for EMX is not provided in this 
 release but we expect to release an EMX version of the runtime library and 
 environment in the near future. 


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 - Can I create non-GUI applications - and how about multi-threading?

 Yes - Guidelines can generate straight character mode applications which  
 do not have a PM message queue if needed. Multithreading support is also  
 provided within JOT; this is true under both OS/2 and Windows.

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 - Why JOT ? 

 We decided to choose a new language for two main reasons.

  1. The language needs to be platform neutral, or well supported on all 
     platforms to be targeted by Guidelines. 

  2. The syntax of the language should be easy to grasp by those coming from 
     midrange and mainframe backgrounds, yet still provide some of the 
     benefits of an object oriented language.


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 - How good is the generated code?

 The C++ code generated by Guidelines is readable and commented throughout. 
 It is similar to code created by a professional coder, so your investment is 
 protected (it could easily be maintained outside the Guidelines environment 
 if necessary).


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 - What if I find I need to accomplish tasks which are not possible within the 
   JOT language?

 The JOT language allows you several alternative ways to use C++ code in 
 your design if this is more suitable, or isthe only way to solve a 
 particular problem. Our aim, however, is to increase functionality of the 
 language until this is a truly rare occurrence, so if you find this is the 
 case, please let us know.

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 - Is there an associated runtime module, and do I have to pay a per copy 
   licence fee ?

 Commonly used 'runtime' code is provided, to which generated code is linked. 
 NO additional licence fees are required.

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 - How do I report problems and get technical support ?

 Support is primarily provided via CompuServe, in the "Other Vendors" section 
 (section 1) of OS2AVEN. Address support enquiries to "Guidelines Support" at 
 Id 100316,3353 either as private email, or as a general message on the forum. 
 A general message will allow others to see your question, and any answers, 
 so this is the preferred option.

 On Internet, you can post enquiries to the Guidelines support staff on 
 Compuserve by mailing to 100316.3353@compuserve.com. Officially, support is
 only provided to users who have purchased the product. However, we will 
 endeavour to answer all questions, even on the base version obtained FOC.

 The file GPROB.TXT contains a problem reporting sheet which can be mailed 
 directly to the above Id. Giving us this information will allow us to narrow 
 down problems more quickly. We expect to acknowledge, via email, any 
 submitted reports within 2 working days, although resolution of the problem 
 may take longer. Any Guidelines files demonstrating the problem should be 
 compressed using PKZIP or a compatible utility and sent to the above ID as 
 mail, not uploaded to the (public) forum libraries.

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- How do I obtain fixes?

 As fixes become available, these will be downloadable from the CompuServe 
 libraries (currently section 1 library of OS2AVEN), and other electronic
 channels (FidoNet, Internet etc).

 Major fix releases will be available on other media via the JBA sales 
 channels.

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- What Guidelines products are currently available from JBA?

 To allow developers to choose a configuration of Guidelines which best suits 
 their development needs, a number of packs are available in addition to the 
 base product. These contain additional controls and functionality.


 * GUIDELINES BASE PACK

   This contains the basic Guidelines tool, providing full function design 
   and code generation facilities. Support for the following CUA '89 
   controls is also provided.

            Frame/Dialogs
            List Box 
            Combo Box
            Entry Field
            Multiple-line Entry Field
            Scroll Bars
            Static Controls 
                - Text
                - Icon
                - Bitmap
                - Rectangle 
                - Group Box
           
            Button Controls 
                - Push button 
                - Radio Button
                - Check Box
                - 3-state Button

   Also included is the picture control, which provides for enhancing the 
   appearance of your application. This supports animated bitmaps and icons 
   in pushbuttons and static panels.

            Picture Control
                - Picture Button
                - Multi-state Button
                - Animated Button
                - Toggle Button
                - Set Button
                - Picture Panel

            Profile File support
                - a set of functions to read and write to INI files


 * EXTENDED CONTROL PACK

   The extended controls pack extends the range of controls supported by 
   Guidelines to include all of those supported under OS/2 2.1 to the CUA '91 
   standard. In particular, these include:

    Container
    Value Set
    Notebook
    Spin Button
    Slider

   In addition, extensions are provided which add to the functionality of 
   JOT:

    DDE - provides access to OS/2's Dynamic Data Exchange facilities

    File I/O - provides file and directory manipulation functions

    Standard Dialogs - support for OS/2's standard font and file selection 
                       dialogs, 

    Timer - provides timers plus extensive date and time formatting routines.


 * ADVANTAGE CONTROL PACK

   The Advantage Pack supplies additional visual controls specially written 
   for Guidelines (not natively supported by OS/2).

    Status Bars - provides a number of status fields, usually across the 
                  bottom of a dialog or frame window.

    Button Bar  - Similar to the toolbar, this control is usually used to
                  to contain picture buttons.

    Tool Bar    - provides horizontal and vertical toolbars, on which other 
                  controls may be placed for rapid access.

    Color Wheel - allows selection of a color in a similar manner to the 
                  system color wheel (including shade bar).

    Gauge       - three types of gauge are provided, a bar, a rotary needle
                  gauge and a 'thermometer' type gauge.


 * DOCUMENTATION PACK

   This pack contains full hard-copy documentation for Guidelines, including 
   all the additional control packs. 


 * AS/400 EXTENSIONS

   A number of connectivity solutions are available from JBA to provide 
   interoperability with IBMs AS/400 midrange. Please contact JBA to discuss 
   your requirements.


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- What other extensions and controls are planned, and when?

 The BUSINESS CONTROL PACK will include the following controls:

  - Business Graphics
  - Q+E Database Library support
  - ODBC Support
  - Extended Entry Field Control


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 - Does Guidelines support the User Interface Class Library provided with 
   CSet++?

 Currently Guidelines neither requires, nor supports this library.

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 - Can I add my own extensions and controls to Guidelines?

 Guidelines was developed with this in mind, and all language extensions and 
 controls are registered externally with the base product. Currently the API 
 to support this is not exposed, but we expect to document and publish it in 
 an upcoming release.

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 - What about cross platform development?

 Guidelines supports the generation of programs to run under Windows 3.1
 and WinOS/2 as well as OS/2. Guidelines itself will still only run under 
 OS/2 but will  generate code for a Windows target environment and use a 
 DOS/Windows compiler to generate executables.

 Other possible targets are being investigated at this time.

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 - How do I contact JBA?

 *PHONE

 JBA may be contacted by telephone for Guidelines enquiries at the following 
 offices:
                       Africa:                +27 11 804 5062
                       Australasia:             To be advised
                       Europe (UK):              081 899 5600
                       North America;            416 940 2442

 * FAX

 To purchase Guidelines, send a FAX to "Guidelines Purchase" on:

       Birmingham, UK:             +44 (0)21 753 1559
 

 * COMPUSERVE

   Address orders and order enquiries to:

        "Guidelines Purchase" at 73022,35
            (73022.35@compuserve.com)

   Address technical enquiries to:

        "Guidelines Tech Support" at 100316,3353
            (100316.3353@compuserve.com)
 



*   IBM, C Set++, Operating System/2, OS/2 and Presentation Manager are
    trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business
    Machines Corporation. Borland C++ is a trademark of Borland International,
    inc, and Watcom is a trademark of Watcom International Corporation.
