Best method to create sequential windows...

[Medryn]

I'm new to AutoIt & forums and I'm trying to make a program that works on the same concept as a Windows Installer in how it continues to provide windows of options through navigation using next & cancel buttons. I've played with some ideas in AutoIt but keep hitting dead ends. What is the most efficient way to code this? What I'd like to start with is 3 seperate windows sequentially. Window 1 shows, options selected, next > Window 2 shows, options selected, next > Windows 3 shows options selected, next > and so on... Thanks for the view!!

Medryn

[enaiman]

Don't bother using separate windows - use tabs instead; the "Next" button will make the next tab to show.

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#include <ButtonConstants.au3>
#include <GUIConstantsEx.au3>
#include <StaticConstants.au3>
#include <TabConstants.au3>
#include <WindowsConstants.au3>

Opt("GUIOnEventMode", 1)
#Region ### START Koda GUI section ### Form=
$Form1 = GUICreate("Form1", 329, 297, 193, 125)
GUISetOnEvent($GUI_EVENT_CLOSE, "Form1Close")
$Tab1 = GUICtrlCreateTab(8, 8, 313, 281)
GUICtrlSetState($Tab1,$GUI_HIDE)            ;this is very important here
$TabSheet1 = GUICtrlCreateTabItem("TabSheet1")
GUICtrlSetState(-1,$GUI_SHOW)
$Button1 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Next", 232, 256, 75, 25, 0)
GUICtrlSetOnEvent(-1, "Button1Click")
$Label1 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("This is TAB 1", 88, 80, 156, 17, $SS_CENTER)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 9, 400, 0, "Tahoma")
$TabSheet2 = GUICtrlCreateTabItem("TabSheet2")
$Button2 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Previous", 16, 256, 75, 25, 0)
GUICtrlSetOnEvent(-1, "Button2Click")
$Button3 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Next", 232, 256, 75, 25, 0)
GUICtrlSetOnEvent(-1, "Button3Click")
$Label2 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("This is TAB 2", 90, 89, 156, 17, $SS_CENTER)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 9, 400, 0, "Tahoma")
$TabSheet3 = GUICtrlCreateTabItem("TabSheet3")
$Button4 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Previous", 16, 256, 75, 25, 0)
GUICtrlSetOnEvent(-1, "Button4Click")
$Label3 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("This is TAB 3", 79, 90, 156, 17, $SS_CENTER)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 9, 400, 0, "Tahoma")
GUICtrlCreateTabItem("")
GUISetState(@SW_SHOW)
#EndRegion ### END Koda GUI section ###

While 1
    Sleep(100)
WEnd

Func Button1Click()
    GUICtrlSetState($TabSheet2,$GUI_SHOW)
EndFunc
Func Button2Click()
    GUICtrlSetState($TabSheet1,$GUI_SHOW)
EndFunc
Func Button3Click()
    GUICtrlSetState($TabSheet3,$GUI_SHOW)
EndFunc
Func Button4Click()
    GUICtrlSetState($TabSheet2,$GUI_SHOW)
EndFunc
Func Form1Close()
    Exit
EndFunc

[Melba23]

Medryn,

Here is a simple example with 3 GUIs created at the start and then shown/hidden as required:

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#include <GUIConstantsEx.au3>
#include <WindowsConstants.au3>

$Form1 = GUICreate("Form1", 260, 200, 190, 120)
$Button11 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Next", 150, 100, 80, 30)
GUISetState(@SW_SHOW)

$Form2 = GUICreate("Form2", 260, 200, 290, 220)
$Button21 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Back", 150,  60, 80, 30)
$Button22 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Next", 150, 100, 80, 30)
GUISetState(@SW_HIDE)

$Form3 = GUICreate("Form3", 260, 200, 390, 320)
$Button31 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Back", 150,  60, 80, 30)
$Button32 = GUICtrlCreateButton("Exit", 150, 100, 80, 30)
GUISetState(@SW_HIDE)

While 1
    $nMsg = GUIGetMsg()
    Switch $nMsg
        Case $GUI_EVENT_CLOSE
            Exit
        Case $Button11
            _Form2()
    EndSwitch
WEnd

Func _Form2()
    
    GUISetState(@SW_HIDE, $Form1)
    GUISetState(@SW_SHOW, $Form2)
    
    While 1
        $nMsg = GUIGetMsg()
        Switch $nMsg
            Case $GUI_EVENT_CLOSE
                Exit
            Case $Button21
                GUISetState(@SW_HIDE, $Form2)
                GUISetState(@SW_SHOW, $Form1)
                Return
            Case $Button22
                _Form3()
                Return
        EndSwitch
    WEnd    

EndFunc

Func _Form3()
    
    GUISetState(@SW_HIDE, $Form2)
    GUISetState(@SW_SHOW, $Form3)
    
    While 1
        $nMsg = GUIGetMsg()
        Switch $nMsg
            Case $GUI_EVENT_CLOSE, $Button32
                Exit
            Case $Button31
                GUISetState(@SW_HIDE, $Form3)
                GUISetState(@SW_SHOW, $Form1)
                Return
        EndSwitch
    WEnd
    
EndFunc

M23

[Medryn]

M23: Thanks, thats perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. I see that my mistake was I wasn't understanding how to use Case within the While statements... you definately cleared it up for me.

Ena I really liked your alternate suggestion to, I can definately use this elsewhere, thanks a million!

AutoIt is great, but having such a good community and forum help is even better!

Medryn