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Command Line Options

Quick Reference (Command line options)

Prior to Version 1.76, the only command line option was the ability to specify the NoSplash setting - see NoSplash in the Iniitialization file description. [Path]\ONSCREEN.EXE -NoSplash In the implementation, the - (dash) is actually the trigger, and the notes specify NoSplash only as a description so maintainers can understand what the command line means - it is not required, and in fact, can be anything as long as there is a - (dash).

In the 1.79 release, a command line based "Open in the minimized state" has been added. Prior to this, the shortcut link properties needed to be modified to indicate the "Run:" state as Minimized (instead of Normal Window (or Maximized)). This is implemented similar to the -NoSplash and can be used as !Minimize or Minimized! - the exclamation point character is the trigger, and if it is present, the internal operation will match the Show Window properties from the shortcut link. It is recommended you include the text of Minimize or Minimized for future maintainers.

Important: In the 1.78 release, the ConfigPath setting determines the default location for the user's configuration file. These notes apply to this location. For example, if you are specifying a different layout, it must reside in the user's specific path, if ConfigPath=1 (default) is set in the Initialization file. See ConfigPath setting in the Initialization file for further details on location You may also reference the configuration files location from the File menu in OnScreen Setup

DEFER overrides - DEFERSKIPMSG & DEFERNOACTION: In 1.79, 2 new DEFER overrides have been added to change the operation of the second instance of the EXE when launched. With no option, the default action is to find the existing Window, restore from minimized state (if in a minimized state), position the keyboard window at the center bottom of the screen, and display a message indicating only one process (window) can be running. For situations where this message, or these actions are undesirable, one of these 2 options can be included in the shortcut's command line, and change these actions. If DEFERSKIPMSG is included in the command line, all actions will occur, but the final dialog (MessageBox) will NOT be shown. The second instance will open/position the running software, and then close. If DEFERNOACTION is included in the command line, the second instance will perform no actions, and simply close. Running a second instance of the EXE with the DEFERNOACTION option will result in no feedback to the user.

In the 1.76 release, in addition to the -NoSplash code, there is support for a /k=[file] and/or a /i=[file]. These provide an override to the default KEYBOARD.KBF (/k) and ONSCREEN.INI (/i).

There should be no spaces in the command line entry, except to separate multiple entries.

(e.g. C:\Program Files\ONSCREEN\ONSCREEN.EXE /k=mykbf.kbf /i=mykbf.ini -NoSplash)

The [file] specified must reside in the current configuration folder, as specified by the ConfigPath setting in the Initialization File (except in Terminal Server version).

The code checks for both upper & lowercase k (K) and i (I). The trigger is the = (equal) sign, and the code looks to the previous character for the k or i, and the following characters up until a space or end of line for the [file].

The /k option updates the KEYBOARD.KBF file with the specified [file]. There is no error checking to guarantee the file exists, or that it is a valid KBF file, so care should be used when implementing these options. The [file] specified with the /k option MUST be a copy of a previously saved configuration (i.e. copy KEYBOARD.KBF to MYKBF.KBF). A Build-A-Board 2.10 generated KBF file may also be used.

The /i option references the given [file] for configuration information, instead of the default ONSCREEN.INI, allowing different settings to be used.

The implementation of the 2 options is internally different (because of internal design). The /k option for OnScreen actually copies the specified [file] to KEYBOARD.KBF, then continues on as normal. The /i option internally references the specified [file], leaving the default ONSCREEN.INI file intact.

In order to ensure proper operation, certain settings (panels, colors, etc.) are written to the INI file when the /k option is used. This is done to ensure a match between the layout information, and the details in the INI file. When the /k override in the command line is used, the following occurs:

A "matched" pair means saving both Settings and Position, then closing OnScreen. Copy the KEYBOARD.KBF to MYNEW.CFG, and ONSCREEN.INI To MYNEW.INI.

Additional Implementation Notes: The command line overrides will use the current configuration location - see OnScreen Setup | File menu | Show Config File Location to identify the current user configuration file location. Custom files need to be in this location. The /i=mynew.ini INI override has a quirk - because of internal backup code, the custom named INI should be in the program files location, i.e. \Program Files\ONSCREEN. For ease of use, you can duplicate files in both locations. Often if there are no specific INI settings that affect operation, and the primary motivation is to use a different layout, it is easiest to only specify the KBF, e.g. /k=mynew.kbf (the KBF must be in the Config File Location).

Terminal Server Note: In the Terminal Server version, the file must reside in the current user's folder.

In the 1.77 release, an X/Y coordinate can also be used, e.g X:200 Y:300 (e.g. C:\Program Files\ONSCREEN\ONSCREEN.EXE -NoSplash x:200 y:300)

The implementation looks for either the : (colon) character, or the = (equal sign), and looks at both upper or lower case x (X), y (Y). So X=200 and Y=300 will also be recognized. Negative numbers can be used. There should be no spaces in the command line except to separate options.

In the 1.78 Release 2, a percent sign character can be used to position the X/Y coordinates based on the relative position specified (percent of total screen resolution), rather than a fixed location, e.g. x:34% y:70%.

The implementation requires the % character to immediately follow the numeric value. Valid values for X/Y must be in the range 0-100 - negative numbers or numbers over a 100 will revert to acceptable values. The calculation includes the size of the keyboard window, and will keep the entire window visible, so it is a dynamic calculation based on the specified percent, the screen resolution, and the current size of the window. Some examples: [C:\Program Files\ONSCREEN\ONSCREEN.EXE x:20% y:75%], or [C:\Program Files\ONSCREEN\ONSCREEN.EXE -NoSplash x=75% y=50%].

Note: When opening in the minimized state with the minimize option as a Window (Floating Window), these X/Y command line overrides will be applied to the floating window. Refer to ButtonOverrideW/H and ButtonOverrideX/Y for additional control options specific to the floating window minimize option at startup.

Troubleshooting / Diagnosing Startup

In the 1.78 Release 2, "STARTDEBUG" can be used as the command line to display to the screen key code points during the initialization of the software. During the program startup, there is a direct to display "Reached Code Marker ID" code indication. As the code progress and reaches key points in the startup sequence, a code marker (e.g. 1003) is reached, and using a direct to display debugging feature, the code marker is directly displayed on the left side of the system display. If there is an error or other problem starting, the last code marker display will help indicate where the code stopped, and what it was doing.

The following is the list of the codes and what has happened up to that point:

There are also several "critical error" spots that can be tested easily (refer to ConfigPath setting to ensure you are working with correct file location!)

1) Rename MAC00000.KMF to something else (KM, BAK, etc.)

Run OnScreen - it will stop after 1006 and return false in WinMain

2) Rename ONSCREEN.INI to something else (IN, HLD, etc.)

Run OnScreen - it will stop after 1006 and return false in WinMain

3) Rename KEYBOARD.KBF to something else (KB, HLD, etc.)

Run OnScreen - it will stop after 1009 and return false in WinMain

Note: A normal startup will show through 1014 (and not show 1015 unless you close the software). Setting ClassWatch & WindowWatch in the INI file will identify if message loop is reached, and that the process is acting normally (outside of actual window display). When this setting is enabled, the results will be shown on the top lines of the screen.

As a separate reference, these details were asked by a customer doing custom integration work, and the following is a generalized flow of the startup & important events when the executable is started.

Splash Window Note (Window painting/WM_PAINT): The NoSplash setting in the INI file or command line -NoSplash can be used for removing splash. The splash processing is an added sequence prior to normal painting.


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