Window displaying differently outside VFP environment

[SitesMasstec]

Hello colleagues!

I defined a window to appear in some circunstances during a program execution:

DEFINE WINDOW JanelaAviso IN SCREEN;
    FROM 10,10 TO 26,110;
    FONT 'Courier New',11;
    STYLE 'B';
    COLOR RGB(51,51,51,  &AmareloClaro), RGB(0,0,0,  255,255,255)

When I run a program in the VFP environment, the window shows:


But when I build the EXE and run it, the window is redimensioned and the text are in different positions:


What is wrong?

Thank you.

 

[Joe Crescenzi]

As a rule of thumb, I don't define windows using absolute coordinates for both dimensions, especially when they're on the screen because the FROM and TO coordinates are dependent on the font size of the screen itself.

So, to ensure the window is large enough for whatever you are putting into it using the font and size you specified, use FROM (coordinates) SIZE (rows/columns needed).

For what it's worth, I also avoid using coordinates for the FROM clause whenever possible by either using 0,0 then moving the window center (MOVE WINDOW MyWindow CENTER), or by using system variables like SROWS() / 2 to put the top of window at about the middle of the screen.

 

[arrayname]

Why not just create a form for this? Then it should look the same regardless of the environment.

 

[Joe Crescenzi]

Why not just create a form for this? Then it should look the same regardless of the environment.

I agree, if it's a new project, so I assume he is trying to just maintain something written before Windows, so there are a bunch of @ SAY/GET or ? lines.

As for me, I still define Windows from time to time when I want a BROWSE window or a REPORT FORM to take up a specific space.

 

[SitesMasstec]

Arrayname and Joe: Yes, I will follow your advice.

Really, form is more convenient, as we cannot preview the resolution/size of the user's screen.

Thank you.

 

[dylim]

SitesMasstec,

What is the SCALE value in Windows Display Settings?

 

[SitesMasstec]

Dylim:

My Window Display Settings is 1366 x 768 , Scale 100%.

But other users may have this setting at 1280 x 720, or 1024 x 768...

 

[Joe Crescenzi]

Dylim:

My Window Display Settings is 1366 x 768 , Scale 100%.

But other users may have this setting at 1280 x 720, or 1024 x 768...

Since every user can have different screen dimensions and resolutions, it's best to design user interfaces with forms and avoid absolute screen coordinates entirely.

Forms can make things quite a bit easier, but we still need to be mindful of whether they will fit on a user's screen and what position they will use.