PRB: Compile Dialog Boxes Appear Inconsistent or Incomplete

ID: Q138495

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

In Visual FoxPro, clicking Compile on the Program menu offers a different Compile dialog box from what you get when you type the following in the Command window:

   COMPILE ?

Also, neither Compile dialog box offers an option to compile forms or databases.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this behavior and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Programs are the default file type for compiling. In each of the two dialog boxes, the following files are displayed:

File Type        Source Extension  Compiled Extension

program file          prg                 fxp
form code             spr                 spx
menu code             mpr                 mpx
query                 qpr                 qpx
format                fmt                 prx

In Visual FoxPro, you can also compile forms and databases (databases for stored procedures). However, forms cannot be compiled from either Compile dialog box. You can, however, compile databases.

To compile databases, select All Files from the List Files of the Type list. Then select the appropriate file. To compile forms, use COMPILE FORM command in the Command window.

NOTE: Forms are automatically compiled when they are saved from the Form Designer.

Source code for stored procedures and forms are stored in memo fields either in the .dbc file table or .scx file table. When each is compiled, the object code is placed into an additional memo field.

Typing the following command in the Command window will open the same dialog box that GETFILE() offers:

   COMPILE ?

In this dialog box, the option to compile programs is offered, but only one program may be selected. Program files, forms, and databases may be compiled from this dialog box. No other compiling options are offered from this dialog.

For much more in-depth compiling options, click Compile on the Program menu. The compile dialog box that appears allows you to compile multiple files at one time, as well create a log file, encrypt compiled files, include debugging information, and compile updated files only.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. In the Command window, type:

   COMPILE ?

   Notice that a GETFILE() style dialog box appears with a tailored prompt
   and list of program extensions.

2. On the Program menu, click Compile.

   Notice that a different Compile dialog box comes up.

Additional reference words: 3.00 VFoxWin KBCategory: kbtool kbprb KBSubcategory: FxtoolGeneral