Disclaimer:
    This sample code is intended solely to illustrate some of the features
    of VX-REXX.  The code is provided "AS-IS" without guarantee as to
    correctness or completeness.

The code requires VX-REXX 2.1A Client/Server Edition.

Installation
------------
    To install this technical note use the Info-zip UNZIP utility. This will
    create the necessary subdirectories of the current directory.  You may 
    also use pkzip, but make to use the -d option to create the 
    subdirectories correctly.

    Run the buildicn.cmd program to build a Workplace Shell folder for the
    technical note.

Contents:

vxtech06.txt: Explanation of application integration techniques
AppInteg:     Simple demonstration of techniques
WordProc:     More advanced demonstration using popular word processors
EmpList:      Example program using all of the techniques


AppInteg
==========
AppInteg shows five application integration techniques:

Starting applications with the start command
Starting applications with the Workplace Shell
Positioning application windows
Sending keystrokes to applications
DDE to applications (Ami Pro is required for this portion)

You can look at the code in AppInteg as you progress through the technical
note.

WordProc
========
WordProc does simple tasks like opening and closing files, inserting text 
and printing. WordProc is divided into seperate files, one per wordprocessor,
so that you can see the "tricks" involved in manipulating each applicatoin.

Configuration:
    This code requires VX-REXX version 2.1 and has been tested with:
        Lotus Ami Pro for OS/2 3.0a
        Lotus Ami Pro for Windows 3.0
        Describe for OS/2 4.0 (see usage notes at bottom)
        Microsoft Word for Windows version 2.0a

Emplist
==========

Description:
    This code is an example of using VX-REXX to integrate other applications
    into a single solution.  The employee list sample uses a container to
    display a list of employees. You can view the list in icon or detail
    view.  You can start a spreadsheet to graph the salary expense per
    department.  You can also delete employees using a menu item in a pop-up
    or pull down menu, or by dragging employees to the shredder.  You will
    then have the option of generating termination notices with a word
    processor.  If the spreadsheet showing the salary graph is open when
    employees are deleted, it will be updated to reflect the reduced salary
    requirement.  The word processor and spreadsheet are controlled via
    DDE commands, and, when required, keystrokes.  The commands are sent to
    the spreadsheet and word processor from separate threads so the updates
    occur in the background.

    This application does not demonstrate database access.  The VX-REXX
    Client/Server edition can automate database queries if that is required
    in your application.
    
Configuration:
    This code requires VX-REXX version 2.1 and has been tested with:
        Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2 2.0
        Lotus Ami Pro for OS/2 3.0a
        Lotus Ami Pro for Windows 3.0
        Describe for OS/2 4.0 (see usage notes at bottom)
        Microsoft Word for Windows version 2.0a
        Microsoft Excel for Windows version 3.0a

    When you run the Employee List sample the first time you will be
    prompted for the path to a word processor and spreadsheet.  Enter the
    path of the directory containing the required executable and press OK,
    or press Cancel to close the dialog without giving the path information.
    To set or change the data source, the spreadsheet, or the word processor
    use the items in the Options menu. After selecting the appropriate option,
    press the Restart button to save the selection and to reread the data
    or restart the spreadsheet or word processor thread.  Press OK to save
    the setting selection only or press Cancel to discard the option change.

    The option to print termination notices does not include commands to
    select a printer. To ensure the printer is set correctly for your
    system, load the appropriate document template into your word processor,
    select the correct printer, then save the modified template.  The
    templates are in the Source\data directory and are named
    PinkSlip.SAM for Ami Pro, PinkSlip.DSC for DeScribe, and
    PinkSlip.DOC for Word.

Usage tips:
    - The Employee menu is available as as a pop-up menu for items in the
    employee list container.  The Delete item in the pull-down menu will
    delete selected employees.  The item in the pop-up menu will delete
    source employees (employees marked with a dashed border when mouse
    button 2 is pressed).  The confirmation dialog for the delete item
    includes an option to generate termination notices using the previously
    configured word processor.  
    
    - Use the Detail item in the View menu to switch between icon and detail
    view.  The Sort item is only enabled in detail view.

    - Use the Chart item in the Windows menu to display a graph of total
    salary expense per department.  Use the Chart Status and Report Status
    items to display the DDE conversations with the spreadsheet and word
    processor. 
    
    - Describe: Printing and Closing from emplist do not work with the 
    latest version of Describe tested.  Contact Describe if you have 
    problems using these functions in your own applications.
    
Comments:
    Please forward any comments to WATCOM VX-REXX Technical Support Department:
        Phone:      (519) 886-3700
        Fax:        (519) 747-4547
        Internet:   tech@watcom.on.ca
        CIS:        GO WATCOM

