How to Find Out If an Object Is in a Container or Not

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the TYPE() function to find out whether or not an object is contained in another object.

MORE INFORMATION

It is sometimes necessary to know if an object is in a container, and perform an action according to the way an instance of the object is created. For example, a form can be placed on the desktop or in a formset, and the program can perform different tasks depending on the container.

The Parent property of an object references the container object of a control. Use the TYPE() function to determine if an object has a parent. For example:

   IF TYPE ('This.Parent')= "0"  && The object has a container
      ? This.Parent.Name
   ENDIF

Sample Code

PUBLIC oTB1,oFrm1 && Define public variables oTb1=CREATE('tbmytool') && Create an instance of the toolbar object oTb1.SHOW oFrm1=CREATE('Frmmyform') && Create an instance of the form object oFrm1.SHOW

DEFINE CLASS cmdQuit AS COMMANDBUTTON

   PROCEDURE CLICK
      RELEASE THISFORM  && Release either the form or the toolbar
   ENDPROC
   PROCEDURE DESTROY  && Called when the object is released
      IF TYPE('This.parent')="O"
         IF THIS.PARENT.BASECLASS="Toolbar"
            THIS.PARENT.VISIBLE = .F. && Hides the toolbar
            =MESSAGEBOX('Toolbar is hidden')
         ENDIF
      ENDIF
   ENDPROC

DEFINE CLASS tbMyTool AS TOOLBAR

   ADD OBJECT cmdNew AS COMMANDBUTTON
   ADD OBJECT cmdClose AS cmdQuit

DEFINE CLASS frmmyform AS FORM

   ADD OBJECT cmdForm AS cmdQuit