Another newby problem - mainly associated (I guess) with where the IDE stashes files.
I'm working on a small tool that will create the graphics for a syntax chart (a la Niklaus Wirth). As a rough start I use PowerPooint, but there are no rounded vertices and getting a nice shape requires using something like 8 widgets and masking various bits and pieces out and then grouping them and...well, it's a mess.
I had a lab tool which I used to get the basic line drawing down, and then renamed the project to a new name, in a new folder.
All the files seemed to be saved with the appropriate names. Some of the internal references were still using the original project name, but I found those (or rather, the compiler did). Changed those, and the thing compiled. And seemed to run.
The source project (the Lab project) had a multipage form with main area pages and toolbox pages. I didn't need them, so in the new project (SyntaxCharts), I systematically removed them, and recompiled. All clear. Then I ran the project and some (but not all) of the now deleted pages still showed up.
"Bother!", I said (at least that was the gist of what I said). I think I've been editing the wrong form. Although.. the form in my new project saves and shows up in the IDE each time with only the pages I want. It's just when I try and run it that they reappear.
So, as a test I added a MainMenu to my form. It was going to be necessary at some time, and this seemed like a good time.
The MainMenu shows up at run time but is not active, while in the IDE it sits at the top of the form, and works like a charm. This seems to indicate that I am in fact compiling the same form that I am editing.
So, as a second test, I changed the caption on the form. The run-time form still has the old caption.
Having learned a few things I went back to the new project and opened the modelform.pas that was apparently part of the Syntax Charts project. It lacked all the most recent changes. Then I went back to the place from which I had copied (via Save As) the new project. The model form in that directory had the changes - but in the wrong project.
This is obviously a horror story, but out of it I have some questions.
1) If the project Inspector does not indicate a different directory for the modelform unit (from the SyntaxCharts project files) how can I determine the real filename that is being used? Is there an undocumented magic key that will give me the fully qualified file name?
2) What is the most effective and least minefield laden approach to creating a new project from an old project. My modelform file is the starting point for any LCL project, but I don't want to create it from scratch each time. And yet it will be one of the first things changed! I can't find any guidelines for this (other 'common files' I won't want to change, but the form certainl;y will change).
3) (My standard question) Is there any good documentation for any of this? The wiki and the forum seem to be well-intentioned efforts but do not have either the technical underpinning or the in depth discussion that I'm looking for.
DisclaimerYes - I know these are all volunteer efforts, and if I knew more I'd be more than willing to contribute my time, but as a neophyte on the Lazarus system I don't think my own contributions would be any better
FWIW I have attached the Syntax Charts project - but it's not the same project that runs - if you get what I mean - it's all bits and bobs, and I don't have a good list of what is actually there.
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