PC Forms: No Error Returned by MEFWriteItem() Function

• Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer, version 1.0, running with Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, version 3.0 or 3.2

SYMPTOMS

With version 1.0 of Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer, you can use the MEFWriteItem() function to add information to the E-Form package. When you use MEFWriteItem() to add a binary file to the package by setting the type parameter equal to MEF_BINARYFILE, unexpected return values may be generated. For example, if an invalid path is given to the binary file to be attached, the MEFWriteItem() function will return MEF_OKAY, as if the file were successfully attached.

However, when the message is sent and the package is saved, a "File Open Failed" error will be presented.

CAUSE

The Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer does not take a snapshot of the file for the binary file type. Because of this, it does not try to open the file when it is written to the package. Instead, it attempts to open the file when the package is saved. This is why the error "File Open Failed" is returned when the package is saved, as opposed to when the file is attached using MEFWriteItem().