API Properties dialog

Typical applications that use the Rocket TE API interface, use a HLLAPI interface to communicate with Rocket TE. In order for Rocket TE to communicate with a HLLAPI application through the Rocket TE DDE Interface, you must enable the Rocket TE DDE Interface. Refer to Configuring Rocket TE to work with an existing HLLAPI application for more information.

Options tab

The API (Application Program Interface) Properties, Options tab allows the configuration of DDE and HLLAPI items.

Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)

The Dynamic Data Exchange Group is used to configure DDE operating parameters:

• Enable DDE Interface: Enable to allow the Rocket TE session to function as a DDE Server. DDE client applications can communicate with DDE servers to exchange data. This option must be enabled in order for Rocket TE to communicate with HLLAPI client applications.
  • Server / Service Name: Displays the Server / Service Name as “Rocket TE”.
  • Topic Name: Displays the session’s DDE Topic Name. The Topic Name can be changed by configuring the HLLAPI Short Name Session Identifier.
• Enable Network DDE Initialization: If checked, Rocket TE modifies registry settings and invoke NETDDE.EXE to enable DDE client applications to communicate with Rocket TE over a Local Area Network (LAN).
  Note: Only use this option when the HLLAPI application is on a computer separate from the computer that Rocket TE is running on.
  • DDE Share: Displays the DDE Share Name that NETDDE uses to establish a DDE connection over the Local Area Network (LAN).

High Level Language API (HLLAPI)

The High Level Language API group is used to configure HLLAPI operating parameters:

• Short Name Session Identifier: Used to set the HLLAPI identifier for the Rocket TE session. The HLLAPI Short Name Session Identifier is also used as the DDE Topic Name.
• Session Long Name: Used to set the HLLAPI description name for the Rocket TE session.
• Auto Assign HLLAPI Names ('A' for S1, 'B' for S2, etc.): If enabled, Rocket TE automatically associates the Short Name Identifier to a session number 'A' for S1, 'B' for S2 and so on.
• Auto-Launch the Rocket TE DOS HLLAPI Redirector: If enabled, Rocket TE runs/closes the Rocket TE DOS HLLAPI Redirector program each time the Rocket TE DDE Server initializes/de-initializes.

Trace tab

The API Properties, Trace tab allows the user to trace problems encountered while using the DDE and HLLAPI interfaces.

Trace Options

The Trace Options group is used to create API trace files:

• Trace DDE Interface: Enable to trace DDE conversation transactions.
• Trace HLLAPI Interface: Enable to trace HLLAPI function calls and return values.
• Trace File: Used to specify a trace file name for API tracing.
  • Browse: Displays a dialog used to select the directory and file name. Rocket TE provides a Traces directory in the Rocket TE installation directory.
  CAUTION:
  This must be a valid path or the trace feature does not work.
• Start Trace: Used to start the API trace.
• Stop Trace: Used to stop the API trace.