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Application Development & Macros with InfoTRAN
Open Architecture
InFoCAD is an off-the-shelf Geographic Information System that does not require any programming or modification in order to be used. However, customization is occasionally required. To facilitate such modifications, NedGraphics designed InFoCAD with an open architecture and provides InFoTRAN (included), a powerful set of development tools.
InFoCAD’s architecture is open by virtue of it’s data structure in which all data is independently accessible.
InFoTRAN is a programmer’s toolkit that allows third-party programmers to create custom applications, enabling virtually unlimited expansion of InFoCAD. InFoTRAN leads the industry in providing customization as an effective solution because it was specifically designed, and is continually enhanced, for customization of the existing InFoCAD system.
InFoTRAN
uses true FORTRAN77 and C and allows users to create applications that have
the familiar InFoCAD look and feel in addition to InFoCAD’s inherent
resources. In fact, complete applications can be created and then implemented
in a reserved InFoCAD module, called MODULE.
InFoCAD programmers are not limited to implementing their applications through the MODULE or APP Module, and are free to create applications that use their own interfaces and merely take advantage of InFoCAD’s power. Users may not even realize that the product is based on the InFoCAD structure. In this way, the programmer is completely free to create an application that specifically and completely meets their needs using as much of InFoCAD as desired.
InFoTRAN consists of standard Library subroutines that allow application programmers access to InFoCAD’s graphical and logical databases through internal InFoTRAN system calls. The number of system calls available to InFoTRAN users is continually increased.
InFoTRAN also gives programmers geometric construction and code generating tools that save development time and money. For example, the Panel Generator allows programmers to create panels graphically and then automatically generates code for the panels. Then, with the panel created, the programmer needs only to service the buttons on the panel.
The
Database Application Generator creates the standard code that will open, load,
and close up to ten different databases. As with the Panel Generator, the
shell is automatically and quickly generated for the programmer. Once the
code is generated, the programmer needs only to write the code that manipulates
the data within the databases.
In Windows® 95 or NT, applications written in InFoTRAN are linked into DLL’s (Dynamically Linked Libraries) which are loaded in InFoCAD and make use of the common GUI. Many InFoTRAN DLL’s may be loaded at the same time, thus providing access to many applications at once.
In UNIX, applications written in InFoTRAN are complied and linked to become objects in the InFoCAD executable code. In essence, the InFoTRAN programmer creates a new InFoCAD that contains his or her application. This differs from Macro Languages, which build interpretive routines that execute outside the core software.
Macro Commands
On a simpler level, users may create Macro commands in two different ways:
First, users may create Macro commands using the InFoTRAN MACRO Language, which is supplied with over 100 system calls and its own compiler. The MACRO Module contains existing Macro commands that greatly simplify architectural and coordinate geometry functions within InFoCAD.
Second, users may use the MACROGEN utility to create Macro commands. The MACROGEN utility enables users to automatically generate InFoCAD macros without using either InFoTRAN or the InFoTRAN MACRO language.
This utility lets users create Macros by linking existing InFoCAD commands into a Macro Command. Macro commands are one of the simplest ways in which InFoCAD can be customized.
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