sample_228.md

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How to make the caption of a VFP application flashing in the Windows task bar

Before you begin:

This code sample shows how to turn user to the monitor`s screen by flashing the icon of an application in the Windows taskbar. There are several other ways of alerting the user using various visual effects:

• Flashing caption of a VFP application in the Windows task bar using FlashWindowEx
• Shaking VFP form controls
• Placing On-screen Alert on top of all windows

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Code:

DO decl

LOCAL hWindow
hWindow = GetActiveWindow()

* minimizing the main VFP window
_SCREEN.WindowState = 1

* making the window flashing on the Windows taskbar
* while staying minimized

DO WHILE _SCREEN.WindowState = 1
	* setting to the flashed state
	= FlashWindow (hWindow, 1)
	= Sleep (500) && keep for a moment

	* setting to the original state
	= FlashWindow (hWindow, 0)
	= Sleep (500) && keep for a moment
ENDDO

* clearing the flashing state
* when the WindowState returned to normal
= FlashWindow (hWindow, 0)

PROCEDURE  decl
	DECLARE Sleep IN kernel32 INTEGER dwMilliseconds
	DECLARE INTEGER GetActiveWindow IN user32

	DECLARE INTEGER FlashWindow IN user32;
		INTEGER hWnd, INTEGER bInvert  

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Listed functions:

FlashWindow
GetActiveWindow
Sleep

Comment:

The FlashWindowEx provides more options. it is not supported by earlier Windows versions.

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