Create A Basic WinHelp 3.1 Project File

[OTHER SECTIONS]

 [MAP]
In this section you establish context sensitive help by associating the *.rtf file footnote(# context string), and the context ID (number) assigned by the programmer for a given interface or control. A typical entry would look like this: Contents 100. (See the Basic Help File page for context string and context sensitive help usage and definitions.)

Note: Microsoft Word macros can be useful tools in making the help author's lot easier. Case in point, a
macro to retrieve and list context strings from your *.rtf file.

[CONFIG]
Macros and Registrations are entered in this section. Registrations are used to identify third party tools (*.dll) and Application Program Interface (API) routines. Macros (sometime in conjunction with *.rtf footnotes) are used to execute predefined commands and the registration routines. The predefined macros are listed in the
Help Compiler Guide.

"BrowseButtons()" is an example of the simplest predefined macro. The use of API calls within macros is a special case. There is no ready reference; however, a help file author can find advice and counsel on CompuServe, in the
Hypertext Technologies Forum (GO HYPERTEXT).

Note: The order in which macros and registrations appear in the [CONFIG] section can have an effect on performance, or cause system / program errors; especially if API calls or third party tools are involved.

[ALIAS]
Alternate Context Strings (Alias) are optional and advanced entries. These strings are used to assign one or more context strings to the same help topic. The ability to identify a given help topic by more than one context string is useful when working with revisions, or for creating complex context sensitive help routines.

[BUILDTAGS]
This advanced section is used in conjunction with *.rtf file footnote (*) and the [OPTIONS] BUILD entry. The *.rtf file footnote associates a particular build tag with a given topic. A build tag must be included in the [BUILDTAGS] section and the BUILD statement, elsewise it is ignored. A build tag may consist of up to thirty-two characters, in any combination except spaces. Build tags are case insensitive. The [BUILDTAGS] section may include up to thirty entries.

[BITMAPS]
This advanced section specifies bitmap files to be included by reference in the compiled help file. However, for most help files this section is not needed. (I have never used it.) Alternatives include listing the complete path in the *rtf file using the bmX command; listing the file name using the bmX command and listing the path in the [OPTIONS] BMROOT entry; or listing the file name using the bmX command, and placing you bitmaps in the same directory as the *rtf file. (I tend to use this last solution. See the
Basic Help File page for bmX usage and definitions.)

[BAGGAGE]
This advanced section specifies files (usually multimedia) to be included by reference in the compiled help file. For use of this section see the
Help Compiler Guide.

Example Project File

  
The Freelance Story Teller
Voice: 405 720 7995
Fax: 405 720 7995
11808 Silvermoon Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73162