How to Create a Foundation READ Time-Out

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, and 2.5b
• Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, 2.5a, and 2.5b
• Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, version 2.5b

SUMMARY

A foundation READ is commonly used to provide a place for a menu to wait in an application (.APP) or executable file (.EXE) created by FoxPro. However, if the TIMEOUT clause is added to the foundation READ, the foundation READ will not work.

The foundation READ and the TIMEOUT clause will work correctly together if the VALID clause of the foundation READ calls a procedure instead of evaluating a variable, as shown below.

MORE INFORMATION

To create a menu with a foundation READ that works with the TIMEOUT clause, do the following:

1. From the File menu, choose New, and select Menu. Choose OK.

2. Add one or more pads to the menu. One pad should have QUIT as the menu prompt. Under Result, select Procedure, and enter the following code for the QUIT pad:

         m.quitting = .T.
         CLEAR READ ALL
   

3. From the Menu menu, choose General Options. Select the Cleanup check box. In the cleanup code snippet window, enter the following code:

         m.quitting = .F.
         READ VALID quitting() TIMEOUT 10
   

         SET SYSMENU TO DEFAULT
   

         PROCEDURE quitting
         IF m.quitting
            RETURN .T.
         ELSE
            IF READKEY(0) = 6
               RETURN .T.
            ELSE
               RETURN .F.
            ENDIF
         ENDIF
   
   

4. From the Program menu, choose Generate. When you are asked if you want to save the changes, choose Yes. Enter TIMEOUT as the menu name.

5. In the Command window, enter the following command to display your custom menu:

         DO TIMEOUT.MPR
   

6. Wait 10 seconds. The FoxPro default system menu should appear.