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What are libraries - bplus - 04-24-2022
Form https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/showthread.php?tid=59
PhilOfPerth asks, "Being something of a novice myself (what are "libraries"?),..."
Good question.
Libraries are code that can be used in several different apps or programs without having to rewrite same set of Constants, Types, Subs or Functions, no need to Copy/Paste into your programs.
You just put an Include statement,
syntax: '$Include: 'MyLibrary.extension'
Note the comment at the start and the single quotes around the filename, these are for the compiler.
in the proper place(s) of you program to reuse code from a special "BI" file. It use to be one .BI file in older versions of QB when you had to Declare all your Subs and Functions.
Now in QB64 there are 2 places to insert code from another file in an Include statement:
An Include statement for Constants and Types goes at the beginning of your program and typically uses the old .BI extension but not mandatory.
The Include statement for all the Subs and Functions should go at the very bottom of your code, like you are just adding more Subs and Function in. This code file contains just Subs and Functions and the file extension is typically .BM again just a convention so people know what kind of file it is compared to a .BAS file.
Here is an example of a library I made for Arrays of Floats Type:
Here is just a normal looking Bas program dealing with Arrays of Floats
Code: (Select All)
'OPTION _EXPLICIT
' Build a set of Floats Array tools for handling Tomaaz challenge
' Build Floats Array Tools.bm from these
Randomize Timer
Dim i As Long, test$, TomaazTest$
TomaazTest$ = "120 135 345 345 1890 12 120 12 135 712 78 120"
'FOR i = 1 TO 500
' test$ = test$ + LTRIM$(STR$(INT(RND * 100))) + " "
'NEXT
'test$ = RTRIM$(test$)
test$ = TomaazTest$
Print "Test string: "; test$
ReDim temp(0) As _Float
Split2Floats test$, " ", temp()
uniqueFloats temp()
qSortFloats LBound(temp), UBound(temp), temp()
reverseFloats temp()
Print "Output: "; JoinFloats$(temp(), 0, 10, " ")
'''''$include: 'Floats Array Tools.bm'
'a() must be initialized as redim a(lb to ub)
Sub uniqueFloats (a() As _Float) 'make all the items in the a array unique like a proper set
Dim i As Long, ti As Long, j As Long, u As Integer, lba As Long
lba = LBound(a)
ReDim t(lba To lba) As _Float 'rebuild container
t(lba) = a(lba): ti = lba
For i = lba + 1 To UBound(a) 'for each element in array
u = -1
For j = lba To ti 'check if not already in new build
If a(i) = t(j) Then u = 0: Exit For 'oh it is unique is false
Next
If u Then 'OK add it to rebuild
ti = ti + 1
ReDim _Preserve t(lba To ti) As _Float
t(ti) = a(i)
End If
Next
ReDim a(lba To ti) As _Float 'goodbye old array
For i = lba To ti 'now copy the unique elements into array
a(i) = t(i)
Next
End Sub
Sub qSortFloats (start As Long, finish As Long, a() As _Float)
Dim Hi As Long, Lo As Long, Middle As _Float
Hi = finish: Lo = start
Middle = a((Lo + Hi) / 2) 'find middle of array
Do
Do While a(Lo) < Middle: Lo = Lo + 1: Loop
Do While a(Hi) > Middle: Hi = Hi - 1: Loop
If Lo <= Hi Then
Swap a(Lo), a(Hi)
Lo = Lo + 1: Hi = Hi - 1
End If
Loop Until Lo > Hi
If Hi > start Then qSortFloats start, Hi, a()
If Lo < finish Then qSortFloats Lo, finish, a()
End Sub
Sub reverseFloats (a() As _Float)
Dim i As Long, ti As Long
ReDim t(LBound(a) To UBound(a)) As _Float
ti = LBound(a)
For i = UBound(a) To LBound(a) Step -1 'load t from top to bottom of a
t(ti) = a(i)
ti = ti + 1
Next
For i = LBound(a) To UBound(a) 'reload a from t
a(i) = t(i)
Next
End Sub
'notes: REDIM the a(0) as _float to be loaded before calling Split '<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< IMPORTANT!!!!
Sub Split2Floats (mystr As String, delim As String, a() As _Float)
' I am hoping _floats will cover any number type
' bplus modifications of Galleon fix of Bulrush Split reply #13
' http://www.qb64.net/forum/index.php?topic=1612.0
' this sub further developed and tested here: \test\Strings\Split test.bas
Dim copy As String, p As Long, curpos As Long, arrpos As Long, lc As Long, dpos As Long
copy = mystr 'make copy since we are messing with mystr
'special case if delim is space, probably want to remove all excess space
If delim = " " Then
copy = RTrim$(LTrim$(copy))
p = InStr(copy, " ")
While p > 0
copy = Mid$(copy, 1, p - 1) + Mid$(copy, p + 1)
p = InStr(copy, " ")
Wend
End If
curpos = 1
arrpos = 0
lc = Len(copy)
dpos = InStr(curpos, copy, delim)
Do Until dpos = 0
a(arrpos) = Val(Mid$(copy, curpos, dpos - curpos))
arrpos = arrpos + 1
ReDim _Preserve a(arrpos + 1) As _Float
curpos = dpos + Len(delim)
dpos = InStr(curpos, copy, delim)
Loop
a(arrpos) = Val(Mid$(copy, curpos))
ReDim _Preserve a(arrpos) As _Float
End Sub
Function JoinFloats$ (a() As _Float, aStart As Long, aStop As Long, delimiter As String)
Dim i As Long, iStart, iStop, b As String
If aStart < LBound(a) Then iStart = LBound(a) Else iStart = aStart
If aStop > UBound(a) Then iStop = UBound(a) Else iStop = aStop
For i = iStart To iStop
If i = iStop Then
b = b + LTrim$(Str$(a(i)))
Else
b = b + LTrim$(Str$(a(i))) + delimiter
End If
Next
JoinFloats$ = b
End FunctionDang I must have run out of room couldn't continue in last post, so
What are libraries Part 2:
Now just copy all the Subs and Functions from this code, paste it into a New File in IDE, I named this file,
"Floats Array Tools.bm"
Now you can select all those subs and functions in bas code file and delete it! Then just put one ' single quote before the Include:
Like this now:
Code: (Select All)
'OPTION _EXPLICIT
' Build a set of Floats Array tools for handling Tomaaz challenge
' Build Floats Array Tools.bm from these
Randomize Timer
Dim i As Long, test$, TomaazTest$
TomaazTest$ = "120 135 345 345 1890 12 120 12 135 712 78 120"
'FOR i = 1 TO 500
' test$ = test$ + LTRIM$(STR$(INT(RND * 100))) + " "
'NEXT
'test$ = RTRIM$(test$)
test$ = TomaazTest$
Print "Test string: "; test$
ReDim temp(0) As _Float
Split2Floats test$, " ", temp()
uniqueFloats temp()
qSortFloats LBound(temp), UBound(temp), temp()
reverseFloats temp()
Print "Output: "; JoinFloats$(temp(), 0, 10, " ")
'$include: 'Floats Array Tools.bm'Keep the .bm file in same folder as the bas code or worry about paths to the .bm when you include it.
Now here is the beauty of libraries, you can use that same .bm file for another program that also works with Arrays of Floats (I am keeping in same folder as .BM file)
Here I am testing a new fancy Function that will work with the Arrays of Floats that employs already developed tools in my Include file Floats Array Tools.bm
Code: (Select All)
'Test Floats Array Tools Library.bas for QB64
Print UniqueSortSlice$("120 135 345 345 1890 12 120 12 135 712 78 120", "descend", 0, 3)
Print UniqueSortSlice$("120 135 345 345 1890 12 120 12 135 712 78 120", "ascend", -10, 5) 'test join tolerance
Print UniqueSortSlice$("120 135 345 345 1890 12 120 12 135 712 78 120", "descend", 3, 16)
Print UniqueSortSlice$("1 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.11 1. 1.0 1.111 .999999999999999999999999999999999999999", "ascend", 0, 2) 'oh that's nice!!!
Function UniqueSortSlice$ (NumberStr$, ascendDescend$, SliceStart As Long, SliceEnd As Long)
ReDim temp(0) As _Float
Split2Floats NumberStr$, " ", temp()
uniqueFloats temp()
qSortFloats LBound(temp), UBound(temp), temp()
If ascendDescend$ <> "ascend" Then reverseFloats temp()
UniqueSortSlice$ = JoinFloats$(temp(), SliceStart, SliceEnd, " Tomaaz ")
End Function
'$include: 'Floats Array Tools.bm'RE: What are libraries - dcromley - 04-24-2022
(Is a @bplus automatic because you are the originator of the thread?)
Thanks for the example. Please say something about the "DECLARE" statements, which are related to a (I think) 2nd meaning of "library".
The "libraries" link on the main page https://qb64phoenix.com/qb64wiki/index.php/Main_Page
gets you to https://qb64phoenix.com/qb64wiki/index.php/Libraries
which covers "DECLARE LIBRARY" and "DECLARE DYNAMIC LIBRARY",
which applies to DLL, C++, API (and SDL?) libraries,
which is different from the "*.bi" and "*.bm" libraries that you covered?
I've seen another reference to the bi-bm libraries, but I can't remember where.
[ EDIT: In the $INCLUDE Wiki, of course ]
RE: What are libraries - bplus - 04-24-2022
Code: (Select All)
_Title " MessageBox test - look behind the QB64 app on tool bar if not seen on top. Lean on esc to quit... "
' Thank you FellippeHeitor!
$If WIN Then
Declare Library
Function MessageBox (ByVal ignore&, message$, title$, Byval type&)
End Declare
$Else
DECLARE LIBRARY ""
FUNCTION MessageBox (BYVAL ignore&, message$, title$, BYVAL type&)
END DECLARE
$End If
Const xmax = 800, ymax = 600, PI = 3.141592653589793
Screen _NewImage(xmax, ymax, 32)
_ScreenMove 300, 40
Randomize Timer
Do
Cls
drawLandscape
Color &HFFFFFFFF, &HFF000000
kind = 1 + 4096 ' 0 is just OK, 1 is OK & Cancel ' 4096 keeps the message box on top
Print "Warning a Modal Message Box may come up off screen, you program is waiting for that!."
m$ = "You might have to look for me off screen. Lean on escape button to quit. Now you should quit seeing me with Cancel."
answer = MessageBox(0, m$, "Test MessageBox", 4097) ' 4097 for OK = 1 Cancel = 2 Modal on top messagebox
Print answer ' for kind = 4097 OK = 1 and Cancel = 2
'cant mess with first parameter?
_Delay 2
If answer = 2 Then End
k$ = InKey$ ' curious if key press in messageBox will interfere with inkey$
If k$ = "q" Then End
_Limit 1
Loop Until _KeyDown(27)
Sub drawLandscape
'needs midInk, irnd
Dim i As Long, startH As Single, rr As Long, gg As Long, bb As Long
Dim mountain As Long, Xright As Single, y As Single, upDown As Single, range As Single
Dim lastx As Single, X As Long
'the sky
For i = 0 To ymax
midInk 0, 0, 128, 128, 128, 200, i / ymax
Line (0, i)-(xmax, i)
Next
'the land
startH = ymax - 200
rr = 70: gg = 70: bb = 90
For mountain = 1 To 6
Xright = 0
y = startH
While Xright < xmax
' upDown = local up / down over range, change along Y
' range = how far up / down, along X
upDown = (Rnd * .8 - .35) * (mountain * .5)
range = Xright + irnd&(15, 25) * 2.5 / mountain
lastx = Xright - 1
For X = Xright To range
y = y + upDown
Color _RGB(rr, gg, bb)
Line (lastx, y)-(X, ymax), , BF 'just lines weren't filling right
lastx = X
Next
Xright = range
Wend
rr = irnd&(rr - 15, rr): gg = irnd&(gg - 15, gg): bb = irnd&(bb - 25, bb)
If rr < 0 Then rr = 0
If gg < 0 Then gg = 0
If bb < 0 Then bb = 0
startH = startH + irnd&(5, 20)
Next
End Sub
Sub midInk (r1%, g1%, b1%, r2%, g2%, b2%, fr##)
Color _RGB32(r1% + (r2% - r1%) * fr##, g1% + (g2% - g1%) * fr##, b1% + (b2% - b1%) * fr##)
End Sub
Function irnd& (n1, n2) 'return an integer between 2 numbers
Dim l%, h%
If n1 > n2 Then l% = n2: h% = n1 Else l% = n1: h% = n2
irnd& = Int(Rnd * (h% - l% + 1)) + l%
End FunctionYes so the top part is telling the compiler to add a function called MessageBox from another language or available from the OS.
Honestly those things are above my pay grade. But they can sure come in handy if you need something beyond QB64 limits.
Using @bplus signaled me that you were directing a note in post directly for me to answer use @ to get attention of any member of forum like requesting a reply from them.
RE: What are libraries - Dimster - 04-24-2022
How do you guard against the duplication of variable names - same variable name in the main v's the in the library or does it matter?
RE: What are libraries - bplus - 04-24-2022
(04-24-2022, 04:31 PM)Dimster Wrote: How do you guard against the duplication of variable names - same variable name in the main v's the in the library or does it matter?
Variables in Subs and Functions are private AKA local unless SHARED or CONST from the main code which make them Global. It is the beauty of Subs or Functions over GOSUBs you can use the same variable name x, y, r differently in a Sub or Function and won't change the x, y, r in main code unless you pass through arguments and change it in Sub or Function.
They, variable values, could get messed up if you pass them to a sub or function as arguments and that sub or function changes them. Be careful with that, member, Gets, just caught that happening with permanent color change help question.
RE: What are libraries - PhilOfPerth - 04-24-2022
Thanks BPlus. You earned an A-Plus in my book.
My question was just a "tongue-in-cheek" question, but in answering it, you've given me a new approach to another little niggle I had. I have several word-games that I want to clean up and place somewhere, and I have a prepared word-list that I want to include in several of them. This is quite a long list (it has all the words from the Oxford, with a few "choice" words removed) so I was loth to add it to all of them. Now I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not another express train (no inference here to recent activity on the Forum)
RE: What are libraries - bplus - 04-25-2022
LOL seeing the light...
A word list doesn't take too long to load from a file into an array.
We've done many a word game at QB64: Crosswords by Qwerkey, Scrabble by Steve McNeill, I did Cryptogram to death and proceeded onto Wordle and Boggle? (was it?). I had a decent WordSearch app but working with Richard Frost AKA ChiaPet it was much improved!
I think I like building the games more than playing, at least as much.