Download demo and source code - 30 Kb
Introduction
With the class ISyncActiveImpl
, of this article, you can have windows that synchronize the active state with a owner window.
Features implemented:
- Windows that can synchronize the active state with a owner window;
- Windows that automatically hide when the application is deactivated and when the owner window is minimized or hidden;
- Windows that are automatically disabled when owner window is disabled.
Usage
I will base these examples in the source-code of the demo application included in this article.
-
Include the ISyncActiveImpl.h header file in your source-file.
-
Derive your class from ISyncActiveImpl<>
.
class CMainDlg :
public CDialogImpl<CMainDlg>
, public ISyncActiveImpl<CMainDlg>
, public CMessageFilter
-
In your class constructor make sure that you instantiate ISyncActiveImpl<>
class with the right arguments for your type of window.
For example, for creating a dialog or frame window:
CMainDlg()
: ISyncActiveImpl<CMainDlg>(FALSE, TRUE)
{
}
Or for creating a floating or toolbar window:
CFloatingWindow()
: ISyncActiveImpl<CFloatingWindow>(TRUE)
{
}
-
In the message map of your class add a CHAIN_MSG_MAP
macro.
BEGIN_MSG_MAP(CMainDlg)
CHAIN_MSG_MAP(ISyncActiveImpl<CMainDlg>)
.
.
.
END_MSG_MAP()
NOTE: Make sure that you insert it on the first entry of the message map. This is needed because the ISyncActiveImpl<>
class will need to intercept some general messages (i.e. WM_CREATE
).
Under the hood
The key for synchronizing the active state of a window lies on the WM_NCACTIVATE
message. By handling or sending this message we can force the painting of a window in the active or inactive state.
The automatically hide of a window is archived by handling the WM_ACTIVATEAPP
message.
The other two important messages that need to be handled are WM_ACTIVATE
and WM_SHOWWINDOW
, you can find information about them in source-code and at MSDN.
For ending, I just want to say that when implementing this class I have run into two "strange" activation problems, read all about them in the source-code.
History
Do you have any question or comment? Contact me!