trying to create simple class

Hi,
well I thought I knew how to do this but it's not working.
I'm just trying to get a simple class started.
vb6 new activexdll project
add one class module named adcxDbx.cls
add one standard exe module named testdbxClass.bas
startup object = sub main

references = {'these came up as checked by default - I don't know if i need
them all:}
visual basic for applications
visual basic runtime objects and procedures
visual basic objects and procedures
ole automation
'then I added these
autocad2000 type lib
objectdbx 1.0 type lib


in the std mod:
Option Explicit
'declare module level variable so other subs can also run and refer to db
'once it's been created
Dim db As adcxDBX

Sub main()
Set db = New adcxDBX
If Not db Is Nothing Then
db.Hello
MsgBox "Drawing open"
Else
MsgBox "Failed to create class"
End If
Set db = Nothing
End Sub

in the class module
(among other subs)
Option Explicit

Private oDbx As AXDB15Lib.AxDbDocument
Sub Hello()
Debug.Print "start"
MsgBox "Hello"
End Sub

when i run main (from the ide with the run button on toolbar)
it looks like something is starting but nothing happens(just the run button
is greyed and the continue and reset buttons are enabled) but the hello
function doesn't run, no message box and no error message box either for the
if not db is nothing clause
so it seems to just be sitting there waiting for something and I have to
cancel with the reset button
What am I missing
Is it not possible to test a dll from the ide? do I need to compile and call
from another sub?
Thanks for any hints
Mark

 

Hi Mark,

I have tested quite a few dll's in the ide. The way that I do it is to have
the application project that is going to call the dll open in the ide. Then
go to File|Add project and then select the dll project. This opens both of
the projects in the same ide. You can step through everything so that you
can see what is causing the error.

This may not help at all in tracking down your specific problem. I am
responding to your question about testing dll's in the ide.

Hope this helps.

 

Right, but you have to compile the dll first, right?
That was what I was missing first, I was trying to test the dll code from
within the dll module before compiling.
After reading the help I realized that I had to compile the dll, write a
separate module to call it, and test from that module.
But when I modify the dll, before saving changes I have to uncheck the
reference in the calling module - small incovenience, is there any way
around that?

 

No, I dont think you need to recompile the dll if you have both projects
open in the ide at the same time. When I have ever created a dll, I have
created the structure of the dll (class with properties and methods defined)
and save. I didnt create any of the code yet other than creating the
property gets and lets, etc... I would close and start a new project from
scratch, add a single button to the form and then through that button click
event I would create a new instance of my dll. Before I run for the first
time I make a reference to my dll in the new project and I also add the dll
by the method I stated in the previous post (File|Add Project) to the ide.
This way, when I run through the debugger, I can step through the button
click of the form and that will let me step into the dll code that is open
in the ide. This has never posed any issues for me. It is very easy then
to test code in the dll methods. There is also a "Start with full compile"
(CTRL + F5) option under the Run pulldown menu.

When working with both projects in the ide, I have never found in necessary
to change the reference or to do anything with the dll in a separate space.
Once my modifications are complete, I would then recomile the dll. When
starting my application by itself, I would then get a message that my dll
version had changed and it would prompt me that it (the vb ide) would use
the new version.

 

that would be very cool, I'll try that out when I get time
THanks
Mark

 

Thanks much!
I'll give that a try,that sounds like what I was hoping to be able to do
Mark