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Code Samples: WinWedge DDE Examples

This page contains example macros and subroutines for some of the more common PC application programs (i.e. Excel, Access, Word, Visual Basic, FoxPro, Lotus 123 and Quattro Pro). The examples demonstrate how to do things like transmit and receive serial data using Dynamic Data Exchange with the Wedge or launch and unload the Wedge from memory as well as perform various other related functions.

The comments in the examples will explain the details of how each routine works and will also point out any lines that may need changing in order to work with your particular system.

 Excel

 

 Access

 

 

 Word

 

 Visual FoxPro

 

 

 Visual Basic

 

 Lotus 123

 

 Quattro Pro

 

  Minitab

 

 Intellution FixDMACS

 

  Wonderware InTouch

 

 MATLAB

 

 Origin 5.0

 


Important:
Dynamic Data Exchange is an extremely powerful and flexible way to pass data or commands directly from one application to another however this power and flexibility does not come without a small price in additional complexity. The examples provided here should help greatly to make the process easier. One thing to consider is that there are many situations where DDE may not be required and using WinWedge in "Send Keystrokes" mode may be more suitable. Using the Wedge in "Send Keystroke" mode is much easier and much quicker to configure than using the Wedge "DDE Server" mode.

For example if you are reading data from a simple instrument like a bar code reader, electronic balance or an electronic caliper and you simply want to input a small amount of data into a spreadsheet or database, then using "Send Keystrokes" mode may be a better and much simpler approach than using DDE.

There may also be situations where it might be convenient to input data from the Wedge using "Send Keystrokes" mode and also send data out the serial port by sending DDE commands to the Wedge.

The Wedge does not have to be in DDE Server mode in order to accept and process DDE commands. You can still send DDE commands to the Wedge to have it transmit data or prompts out a serial port even when it is in "Send Keystrokes" or "Log to Disk" mode.