Accessing the Visual FoxPro API

If Visual FoxPro does not include the features you require for your application, you can extend the capabilities of Visual FoxPro by creating external libraries, for example, a Microsoft ActiveX control (.ocx) file or Visual FoxPro dynamic-link library (FLL) file.

Visual FoxPro includes the Library Construction Kit, which contains the files Pro_Ext.h, WinAPIMS.lib, and OcxAPI.lib so you can create ActiveX controls and FLLs.

Note

The Library Construction Kit has a limit of 65,000 elements for arrays.

In This Section

• Library or ActiveX Object Creation
  Explains extending the capabilities of Visual FoxPro by creating external libraries that accomplish tasks required by your application.

• How to: Create a Basic ActiveX Object
  Describes how to create an ActiveX control.

• Creating Visual FoxPro Dynamic-Link Libraries
  Provides information about creating Visual FoxPro dynamic-link libraries.

• FoxInfo Structure
  Describes the FoxInfo structure used to communicate function names and parameter descriptions between Visual FoxPro and your FLL library.

• FoxTable Structure
  Describes the FoxTable structure which keeps track of all the FoxInfo structures you have for a given library.

• How to: Add Visual FoxPro API Calls
  Describes how to integrate your external library with Visual FoxPro using Visual FoxPro API routines.

• Parameters in External Libraries
  Describes how to pass arguments to parameters in external libraries.

• How to: Return Values from ActiveX Controls and FLL Libraries
  Describes how to return values from external libraries to Visual FoxPro.

• Passing Parameters to Visual FoxPro API Functions
  Explains how Visual FoxPro API routines require parameters of a particular Visual FoxPro data structure.

• Access to Visual FoxPro Variables and Fields
  Explains accessing Visual FoxPro variables or field values in your ActiveX control or FLL function.

• Memory Management Using the Visual FoxPro API
  Provides an overview about managing memory using the Visual FoxPro API.

• How to: Manage Memory
  Describes how the Visual FoxPro API provides direct access to the Visual FoxPro dynamic memory manager.

• How to: Build and Debug Libraries and ActiveX Controls
  Describes how to build and debug ActiveX controls and FLLs.

Related Sections

• Accessing APIs
  Discusses how you can extend an application by taking advantage of external libraries such as Microsoft ActiveX controls or Visual FoxPro dynamic-link libraries (FLLs).

• Extending Visual FoxPro with External Libraries
  Explains that you can add Microsoft ActiveX controls (.ocx files) to your application, which provides you with new objects to use in forms, to subclass, and to manage the way you work with native Visual FoxPro controls. In addition, you can link to an external library, such as a Visual FoxPro dynamic-link library (FLL) and call the library's functions to use in your own programs.

• API Library Construction
  Provides reference material about API Library routines, system events, and key codes.