Flash SDK with Borland CBuilder?

[Rudy Ramsey]

I'm a Delphi (Pascal) programmer, and it's been many years since I programmed in C++. However, I now want to build a simple application using the Flash File Format SDK. Since that's only available in C++ source form, I'm trying to use my available C++ compiler (Borland CBuilder 3.0) to build that application. I'm running into trouble, which I *assume* is because the Flash SDK is built for Microsoft Visual C++.

Has anyone built an application in Borland C++ using the Flash File Format SDK? If so, can you give me a hint about how you overcame these compatibility problems?

I'm sure I'll eventually figure it out myself, but it's very painful. :-) What I have right now is a syntax error on the template definition for the "max" function in stdlib.h. I'm not sure what the Macromedia stuff is doing to create a conflict. I get this error as soon as I incorporate any of the basic low-level Flash modules (other than FObj.cpp or FSwfStream.cpp) into my project.

I can change the reported error by manipulating the compatibility settings (e.g., use MFC-compatibility mode), but there's still an error, and I don't think those modes are correct, anyway.

Any pointers you can provide would be much appreciated.

Rudy

[JAEzell]

I already responded to your post at the Macromedia NG, but the same applies here. Post follow-up to either location...but for quickest response, post here.

--Jesse

[core]

I'm using version 5 of C++Builder, and it works fine.

I have 'MFC Compatibility' turned on (I'm pretty sure you'll need it on, and I'm not aware of any problems with that), I can't see anything else unusual in my project options.

FWIW my stdlib.h max() definition is

template <class _T> inline const _T _FAR &max( const _T _FAR &__t1, const _T _FAR &__t2 )
{
if (__t1 > __t2)
return __t1;
else
return __t2;
}

what's yours? NB macromedia.h will define in if it isn't already defined.

[JAEzell]

What is the exact error message?

--Jesse

[Rudy Ramsey]

Thanks very much to the several of you who gave
encouragement. I'm glad to hear some of you have
successfully used the Flash File SDK with Borland CBuilder,
albeit version 5.0.

I seem to have eliminated the conflicts involving the
min() and max() functions. However, I eliminated them by
commenting out the macroprocessor definitions in
"macromedia.h". I didn't seem to be able to eliminate the
problems otherwise. Also, this only fixes the problem if
I do *not* use MFC Compatibility mode. If I do use that
mode, I get syntax errors in the CBuilder library's list.cpp
init() function ("Could not find a match for
std::max(unsigned int, unsigned int)."). If I'm taking the
wrong approach here to the problems with the conflicting
min/max definitions, I'd appreciate being steered back on
course. :-)

I've now been studying templates (new to me, as my C++
programming was quite awhile back), and I've been studying
list.cpp, because these two areas are the focus of the next
problem. I'm getting a compiler error which I think is due
to an attempt to iterate across a list that's built using a
structure definition, rather than a class. I've seen
documentation with my current compiler that indicates that
templates can use structs, so I'm assuming the problem is
not that my Borland CBuilder 3.0 is too old. I've given the
details below. If anyone can shed further light on the
problem and/or its solution, it would be most appreciated.
I'm happy to make modifications to the Flash SDK files if
necessary, but I don't want to start ripping them up without
a bit better idea what I'm doing. :-)

Rudy

From Flash File SDK FDTText.cpp:

Earlier in file, the following is compiled without syntax
errors. Here, FTextRecord is a class.

std::list<FTextRecord*>::iterator cursor;
for ( cursor = textRecords.begin(); cursor != textRecords.end(); cursor++)
{
(*cursor)->WriteToSWFStream( &body, nCodeBits, nAdvanceBits );
}

Later in the file, here's where the error occurs. In this
case, GlyphEntry is a class.

U32 FTextGlyphRecord::MinAdvanceBits()
{
std::list<GlyphEntry>::iterator it;
int maxBit = 0;
for ( it = glyphEntries.begin(); it != glyphEntries.end(); ++it )
{
maxBit = max( FSWFStream::MinBits( it->advance, 1 ), (U32)maxBit );
***** Error: "Pointer to structure required on left side of -> or ->*." *****
***** When the error is reported, the cursor is placed after "it" of "it->advance" ******
}
return maxBit;
}

From FDTText.h:
class FGlyphEntry;
struct GlyphEntry
{
U16 code;
U16 advance;
};
std::list<GlyphEntry> glyphEntries;

[JAEzell]

This error is the same as with the GNU compiles...basically, VC++ iterators contain different functionality.

Change the line to:

maxBit = max( FSWFStream::MinBits( (*it).advance, 1 ), (U32)maxBit );

To solve your min/max problem, here is a simple solution...change all calls to min and max in the SDK to flashmin and flashmax respectively...then change the definitions to use these names and you are good to go.

--Jesse

[Rudy Ramsey]

Jesse,

>>Change the line to:
>>maxBit = max( FSWFStream::MinBits( (*it).advance, 1 ),(U32)maxBit );

Thanks very much. I assume that I need to make this change only to the lines that turn up syntax errors? That is, I'm assuming that those lines that pass the syntax checker can be expected to have the same semantics under BC++ as VC++. Is that your guess?

>>To solve your min/max problem, here is a simple solution...change all calls to min and max in the SDK to flashmin and flashmax respectively...then change the definitions to use these names and you are good to go.

Good idea, thanks. Should have thought of it myself. :-)

Rudy

[JAEzell]

yep. only the lines that give errors should need the change.

--Jesse

[Rudy Ramsey]

Jesse,

To my very pleasant surprise, that was all it took. Most of these exercises turn up one layer of problems after another, but I've just built a (not very impressive, but exciting nonetheless) sample SWF file (their HFExampleCircle).

Onward and upward! :-)

Thanks again for your help.

Rudy

[WrecklessRat]

Hi JAEzell, Rudy & core.

So the SDK can be compiled using the free Borland C++ compiler?
This is very good news if so, could you tell me how?

I can't get past the fact that the VCTOBPR utility (which converts Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0 and 6.0 project .DSP and workspace .DSW files to their equivalent Borland C++Builder files) is not included with the free Borland C++ compiler.

Thanks
WR

[Rudy Ramsey]

Originally posted by WrecklessRat
Hi JAEzell, Rudy & core.

So the SDK can be compiled using the free Borland C++ compiler?
This is very good news if so, could you tell me how?

Yes, I used the free BC++ 3.0 compiler that came with Delphi 5. I didn't even try to use the makefile. I just built a new project and included all the source files for the Flash SDK. I then added a button to the form and put the sample code for building a circle SWF file in the OnClick event.

In the process, I did encounter a problem or two, but you'll find their solutions earlier in this thread. It worked fine.

Unfortunately, it turns out that I really don't want to use the MacroMedia SDK. I think that's discussed in one or two other threads here (you can look for my name as the poster of the original question). And I ran into trouble trying to compile the OpenSWF SDK using this version of Borland C. My management is now considering my request for VC++. If I get it, though, I'm likely to use it to wrap the OpenSwf SDK in a DLL, so I can do my actual development in Delphi. We'll see.

Rudy

[JAEzell]

Bukoo is going to be redeveloped using the SWFSource SDK. You might want to get in touch with the author of Bukoo and talk with him, because bukoo is basically that. It is a set of COM objects that you could use with Delphi, VB, ASP, etc. If he is keeping the same methods, etc. you might be able to begin developement with Bukoo right now and then when the rewrite is complete, you would simply have to upgrade and maybe make some minor changes.

--Jesse

[WrecklessRat]

Hey Rudy thanks for the quick reply.
Glad to hear it is possible and I will try your suggested method.

BTW re: your other post "Can HTML/JavaScript events affect SWF?"
If you've not checked the flashcoder list I'd recommend it. You can search the archives at:
http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/search.html
I am pretty sure this has been discussed there.

Thanks
WR

[Rudy Ramsey]

Originally posted by JAEzell
Bukoo is going to be redeveloped using the SWFSource SDK...
--Jesse

OK, thanks for mentioning that. I looked at Bukoo, of course, because I thought it might be useable from Delphi (I think you even mentioned it). The Bukoo website lists three tutorials which I would need to make real headway, but the links are dead. I sent a message to the author, but got no reply. I then found a message in this forum dated last September asking about the same thing, and getting no reply. I concluded Bukoo was dead.

How would I go about getting enough information to actually give it a try?

Rudy

[WrecklessRat]

SDK woes...
Having difficulty using the free Borland C++ compiler (Standard version, just DOS, no GUI)

Tried using Bloodshed's DevC++ which is really nice (and free) but still having problems.

I realise it must be tough for Macromedia to support all compilers/IDEs and all.
But if they were going to choose just one as the default I wish they would have picked a free one :o)

I will get there in the end though.

WR

[JAEzell]

That uses the Win32 compile of GCC, right? Your problems are probably pretty simple ones related to nonstandard STL code in the MM library...try changing "*pointer." to "pointer->" and stuff like that.

--Jesse