Common Question 2

How do I get started?

Study and refer to the PEDEMO demo exe:
We made a point to improve the example code included in the ProEssentials product. The main demo PEDEMO is more of a learning tool than a demo designed to dazzle you. PEDEMO has three panes. The top left pane is a list of examples to choose from. The top right pane is a code window. It will show source code to produce the selected example. You can place the cursor on a ProEssentials function or property and press "F1". This will launch the ProEssentials help "PEONLREF.CHM" for that topic. So while reading the example code, if you need to learn more about a function or property, just place the cursor on this word and hit "F1". Referring to the documentation is very quick and easy. You can also select code from this window and copy and paste into your projects. PEDEMO can show code formatted for VB.NET, C#.NET, Visual C, and Visual Basic. The third bottom pane shows the actual control after executing the code example. PEDEMO will likely be the most useful resource in learning ProEssentials.

Load and try ideas with example Projects:
Along with PEDEMO are similar example projects built within VB.NET, C#.NET, VC and Visual Basic 6. You can use these projects to experiment and modify the examples and/or add your own examples. Adding an example may be a good start towards implementing a desired chart within your own project. Its pretty easy to see how the demo works. If you think you have an example others may learn from, paste the code in an email and let us take a look. The new demo codes architecture was designed so that we could easily add examples as needed.

Number 1 rule is to take baby steps. Do not immediately implement ProEssentials into your existing project. First create any desired types of graphs in a separate project possibly using random data. Once you have gained a few hours experience, then implement into your existing project.

Within the demo and demo projects, study examples 000, 100, 200, 300, and 400 first.

The .NET Reference as the easiest way to navigate our list of features.

For help finding DLL features, use the Contents Tab at the top-left location within this help system, near the bottom, click Reference, and then Alphabetic Listing.