BidBase Files

CardShark BidBase File Viewer is a program for viewing and editing HTML and text files.
It was originally written to allow BidBase users to read the dozens of files which
provide information about bidding systems and conventions as well as the documentation
for the BidBase programs. Those files can also be viewed at www.aeyec.com/BidBase

The program offers two side-by-side windows although for just viewing a document, one
window can be used.

With two windows, different documents can be loaded in the two windows, or one document
can be loaded in the left window while optionally, linked areas of the same document can
be shown in the right window. For example, a table of contents can be kept on display on
the left while the sections to be read can be viewed on the right.

As an HTML editor, the document is on the left and the HTML code is shown on the right
allowing changes to be viewed as you go.

Virtually all HTML commands, including many sophisticated ones such as hiding pop-up
text and wrapping text around images, require no special knowledge of HTML. You simply
click where you want the HTML code to go and select an item from the menu.

While the CardShark BidBase File Viewer was originally written for the BidBase bridge
program, it has been used for over a dozen years for creating web pages online and for
making documentation files for programs.

The zip file contains the compiled program, the source code, and about 6MB of files
documenting bridge conventions which, if you are a bridge player, are a valuable
resource on their own.  These files can be viewed with any browser program.

IMPORTANT:

The BidBase programs are written in Visual Basic 6.

Although the compiled program is included, this distribution is intended for people
who have Visual Basic installed.

If you do not have VB6 installed, you probably will not be able to get the program
to run.  You can try downloading the VB6 Runtime modules from Microsoft at
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24417
but you will also need Microsoft Office (or at least MS Access) installed as well.

The File Viewer contains code for as-you-type spell checking which requires a very large
database file which is a separate download.

In the not-too-distant future, I expect to upload a version without the spelling
checker, thus eliminating the need for the database file and the MS Office components.

Meanwhile, even programmers who do not have VB6 but are interested in adding HTML
features to their own programs may want to check out the subroutines in the code
which contain those features, some of which are the result of a lot of intensive
research and experimentation.