WinVI version 1.11 is the first version to support projects. The project support is partially still under development, but we have decided to make it available for download because even in its current state it has proved very useful to us and other people may therefore benefit from it. Moreover, version 1.11 contains many fixes with respect to version 1.10, so even if you are not using the functionality of projects you are still better of using version 1.11.
Using projects, you can organize files that belong together in a single project file (.wvp, WinVI Project).
Typically, projects consist of source files and additional files (intermediate files, dependencies, ...) that are used to create a final product (a program, a web page, ...). This is how WinVI projects are organized. It allows the user to make a collection of source files, to set up the source file type definitions in such a way that scanning for dependencies is done automatically. Next, the commands that build the target object from the source files can be defined (on a per file basis, per file-type basis, and a pre- and post-build). Variables can be defined that can be used in the commands for building your target. Project dependent tools can be defined for tasks that are frequently performed.
A new way of interfacing is defined that allows an application to manipulate files and projects inside WinVI. To do this, these applications will have to communicate with WinVI. This is achieved via standard input and standard output of the client process. These client processes that communicate with WinVI are called Wizards. For more information, see WinVI's online help facility.
Debugging support for projects is also present. The debugger for a specific purpose will need to be supplied by the user. This debugger will have to communicate with WinVI about running mode, stepping commands, breakpoints and so on. This communication also takes place via the Wizard interface.
Two sample project environments can be downloaded, for popular free programming environments (see below). These sample environments are distributed fully in source code and will have to be compiled at the client computer that is running WinVI. The source code distributions of these project setups can serve directly for using these languages, but they can also serve as a starting point for setting up support for your own project types.
The Cygwin installation project will compile and install the tools for the Cygwin support of WinVI. The tools include a project template, a debugger implementation, and a project wizard.
Before installing the Cygwin installation project, make sure you have the Cygwin programming environment installed. You can download the installer from the Cygwin site. When running the installer, make sure to install at least the base and development tools.
Then, proceed installing the WinVI Cygwin installation project as follows:
The JDK installation project will compile and install the tools for the JDK support of WinVI. The tools include a project template, a debugger implementation, a class browser and a class wizard.
Before installing the JDK installation project, make sure you have the JDK environment installed. You can download the installer (J2SE) from the Sun java site.
Then, proceed installing the WinVI Java installation project as follows: