Thread: ICC_STANDARD_CLASSES doesn't exist?

I am trying create an edit box using the Windows API. Here is the code I'm using:

Code:

  //Initialize the Edit Control Class

   ecc->dwSize = sizeof(LPINITCOMMONCONTROLSEX);
   ecc->dwICC  = ICC_STANDARD_CLASSES;

   if(!InitCommonControlsEx(ecc))
   {
      MessageBox(NULL, "Edit Box Registration Failed!", "Error!", MB_ICONEXCLAMATION | MB_OK);

      return 0;
   }

  //Create the Edit Box

  hwnd_edit = CreateWindowEx(
      0,
      EDIT,
      "Test",
      ES_AUTOVSCROLL | ES_MULTILINE | ES_READONLY,
      0,
      0,
      100,
      100,
      hwnd_main,
      NULL,
      GetModuleHandle(NULL),
      NULL);

(Variable decalarations and includes are ommitted, but they are in the original code.) According to MSDN this is the correct wat to do it, but my compiler is telling me ICC_STANDARD_CLASSES isn't defined. It's supposed to be defined in commctrl.h which I did include properly, but it just isn't there. On top of that, the other control classes it mentions for use with those seem to work fine. I've tried this with multiple compilers and the same thing always happens. Does anyone know what the heck is going on here? Also, if you don't know the problem then can you at least reccomend an alternative method for creating an edit box. One thing though, I have to do it without using a recource script.

First...

>>> ecc->dwSize = sizeof(LPINITCOMMONCONTROLSEX);

... lose the LP, you want the sizeof() the structure not of a pointer to a structure.

The rest, I'm thinking you have version problems. Browse your commctrl.h file and see what it says.

You need _WIN32_IE set to at least 0x0300 to use the structure at all, and 0x0400 to use the rest that are defined. MSDN says you need at least IE 4.7 level includes to use the flag you want.

You probably need to update your SDK.

Ah you're right, it was only set to 0x300. I just had a hard time believing the version was what was wrong since it failed on 3 seporate compilers... Where can I get the updated API includes?

EDIT: Ok, I'm aware I can just serch on mircrosoft.com for it but their search is useless. I tried getting it for a half hour with no luck at all.

>>>
So you have to be using a windows version that high to just make an edit box?
<<<

Well, obviously not. We had edit boxes before Win2000! But that is not your question. Looking back at your original post, you are asking why your call to InitCommonControlsEx() is failing.

We have, of course, assumed, that is what your problem is, however, you do not need to call this function simply to create an edit box, (which is not a "common control"), if that is what you are meaning?!?!?!???

instead of EDIT try "EDIT"

*Smacks myself on the head* Why didn't I think of that? Oh well, creating an edit box in this way can be pretty complicated, I can see why most people like recource scripts . You don't even get a scroll bar automatically this way... Oh btw, I also forgot to set the edit box to WS_VISABLE and WS_CHILD but I figured that out pretty quickly. Ok, so now that I've got that resolved, a few quick questions about edit box formatting. First, how do you end a line when setting the edit box text? I want to dispay a few paragraphs of text and making a new line by spacing it out is just plain messy. Second, Is it possible to make some text italic or bold while leaving other text normal? (Never mind this if it can only be done with a Rich Edit control. I see no need to set up one of those for a simple disclaimer like this.) I know how to change the font, but that has to be aplied in an all or none fashion. And last, how to you change the background color of the edit box? That last one may be a bit more complicated than I bargined for, but I don't think the grey backround of a static text box looks very good.

You may be interested in MSDN's edit control section.

A rich edit control may be required if you want multiple formats.

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