Little problem with TC SFX archives

[fabiochelly]

I created a big SFX archive with many files in it.
The problem is that when I unpack it, it asks me 300 times if I want to overwrite each existing file.

Isn't it possible to add a 'Yes to all' or 'No to all' to the unpacking process?

Second little problem, at the end of the unpack, it displays a warning that unpacking is unsuccessful because I ask no to overwrite some of the files.

[Maxwish]

Hi Fabio,
RobertN made a couple of alternative SFX headers that you can use for making self-extracting archives in TC.
One of then has the option to overwrite or skip exsisting files (see the screenshots)

download at ClubTotal (where else *big grin* )
http://clubtotal.free.fr/tc_tools/tcdll_updates.zip

[fabiochelly]

Doesn't he give the sources with his SFX headers?

Or is there a way to create SFX headers easilly? Can Christian share the sources of its SFX headers?

[ghisler(Author)]

Can Christian share the sources of its SFX headers?

I can if anyone is interested, but it's Delphi 1 code...

[fabiochelly]

How could you create 30 KB application with Delphi?
Can you send me the sources?

[ghisler(Author)]

Just leave out all the VCL and use a resource editor.

[Lefteous]

Just leave out all the VCL and use a resource editor.

Is the Total Commander main program written with or without using VCL?

[André Martin]

2Lefteous
I suppose without otherwise it wouldn't fit on a single floppy disk.. (AFAIK Christian uses exclusively "core" winapi functions if possible...)

[JohnFredC]

AFAIK Christian uses exclusively "core" winapi functions if possible...

That might explain the limited functionality of the TC file panes: no column rearranging, no additional user-selected columns, no fixed scrolling areas, no gridlines (very desirable!), no alternately shaded lines (or columns), no thumbnails, etc, which are features of advanced grid controls.

For my use of TC and the environments I use it in (ie. no floppies), the size of the TC file itself is essentially irrelevant, so a fancy grid control that offered functionality in the lister panes similar to that provided by competitor products would be a welcome addition to TC, even if the TC exe file ballooned in size.

I recognize that other's opinions may differ about this, though.

Just to repeat: I love TC and use it exclusively. I just want it to do more.

[André Martin]

2JohnFredC
This is not really true because you can do exactly the same as you can do with the VCL. The VCL mainly consits of and encapsuletes winapi functions which allows programmers to use modern programming techniques such as OOP (Object Orientated Programming). That's why it is incredible easy to create powerful applications nowadays.

[JohnFredC]

Granted. I use VCL encapsulation of WinAPI calls, too.

Obviously nearly everything eventually goes through the API, it's just that prebuilt controls (such as grids) that have numerous "high-level" functions are much easier to incorporate in an application than building your own similar functionality from scratch.

You do become dependent on the "other guy's" work though, and I feel that is a significant downside.

[pdavit]

...the size of the TC file itself is essentially irrelevant, so a fancy grid control that offered functionality in the lister panes similar to that provided by competitor products would be a welcome addition to TC, even if the TC exe file ballooned in size.

What's not calculated here in the equation is the speed implications also. We all know how much Christian loves the idea of keeping the 1.4Mb barrier but at the same time we all know how much he also likes speed.

[JohnFredC]

What's not calculated here in the equation is the speed implications also.

Very true. I am one of the fortunate with oodles of cycles and memory, soon to upgrade to even more. I load TC once upon startup and never unload it, except when there is a problem. So, program loading and GUI speed are also not issues for me.

I am the slowest component!

[ghisler(Author)]

TC does use the VCL. However, it's using standard Windows Listboxes (with VCL encapsulation) for the file lists, because ListViews aren't available on all systems. I'm also using Delphi 2 because later VCLs have become more and more bloated, big and slow.

[JohnFredC]

TC does use the VCL. However, it's using standard Windows Listboxes (with VCL encapsulation) for the file lists, because ListViews aren't available on all systems.

Hi Christian

Thanks for that insight, even if it disappoints my hopes for advances in TC's file panel functionality/appearance.

A thumbnail mode would probably be difficult to implement in a Listbox...