MDB Blog

c# Winforms WebBrowser - Clear all cookies

2013-02-13T16:30:00.000+02:00

Hello,

I recently search for a method to delete all cookies from the build in .NET WinForms WebBrowser control.

I didn't found any working solution for it, nor working example.

It being told to use InternetSetOption, but nothing found about it.

So, i will write here my solution for clearing and deleting all cookies.

My solution using InternetSetOption with the option flag: INTERNET_OPTION_SUPPRESS_BEHAVIOR, which described as:

A general purpose option that is used to suppress behaviors on a process-wide basis. The lpBuffer parameter of the function must be a pointer to a DWORD containing the specific behavior to suppress. This option cannot be queried with InternetQueryOption.

This option flag should be used together with INTERNET_SUPPRESS_COOKIE_PERSIST options, which means:

Suppresses the persistence of cookies, even if the server has specified them as persistent.

So the example code for it will be:

static void Main()
{
    SuppressWininetBehavior();

    Application.EnableVisualStyles();
    Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
    Application.Run(new Form1());
}

[System.Runtime.InteropServices.DllImport("wininet.dll", CharSet = System.Runtime.InteropServices.CharSet.Auto, SetLastError = true)]
public static extern bool InternetSetOption(int hInternet, int dwOption, IntPtr lpBuffer, int dwBufferLength);

private static unsafe void SuppressWininetBehavior()
{
    /* SOURCE: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa385328%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
        * INTERNET_OPTION_SUPPRESS_BEHAVIOR (81):
        *      A general purpose option that is used to suppress behaviors on a process-wide basis. 
        *      The lpBuffer parameter of the function must be a pointer to a DWORD containing the specific behavior to suppress. 
        *      This option cannot be queried with InternetQueryOption. 
        *      
        * INTERNET_SUPPRESS_COOKIE_PERSIST (3):
        *      Suppresses the persistence of cookies, even if the server has specified them as persistent.
        *      Version:  Requires Internet Explorer 8.0 or later.
        */

    int option = (int)3/* INTERNET_SUPPRESS_COOKIE_PERSIST*/;
    int* optionPtr = &option;

    bool success = InternetSetOption(0, 81/*INTERNET_OPTION_SUPPRESS_BEHAVIOR*/, new IntPtr(optionPtr), sizeof(int));
    if (!success)
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Something went wrong !>?");
    }
}

Please make sure your project is allows unsafe code. (under Properties => Build Tab)

This code is deleting the COOKIES per PROCESS on startup ONLY.
[tested on WIN-7 and working great]

Best Regards,
MDB-BLOG :)

MySQL xpath ExtractValue with delimiter

2013-02-10T14:51:00.001+02:00

Hello,

I recently noticed the XPATH option inside MySQL.

What a wonderfull way for handling XML. (http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/xml-functions.html)

I used ExtractFunction, and noticed that this function is space delimited:

Because ExtractValue() returns multiple matches as a single space-delimited string

So I needed to create the same function with custom text delimted (comma, semi-colon or anything you want).

The function called: EXTRACTVALUE_ALL which is the same as EXTRACTVALUE just get a delimiter text to seperate between results. (seperated text).
Tested on MySQL 5.5.28.

Create Function CODE:

DROP FUNCTION IF EXISTS EXTRACTVALUE_ALL;


DELIMITER |
CREATE FUNCTION EXTRACTVALUE_ALL(p_xml TEXT, p_xpathExpr TEXT, p_delimiter TEXT) RETURNS TEXT
BEGIN
DECLARE total_elements INT;
DECLARE xpath_expression_count, xpath_expression_index  TEXT;
DECLARE single_tag, result  TEXT;

# calc TOTAL elements
SET xpath_expression_count = CONCAT('count(', p_xpathExpr, ')');
SELECT EXTRACTVALUE(p_xml, xpath_expression_count) INTO total_elements;

# run over elements (create long text)
SET result = '';
SET xpath_expression_index = CONCAT(p_xpathExpr, '[$@i]');
SET @i = 1;
WHILE @i <= total_elements DO
SET single_tag = EXTRACTVALUE(p_xml, xpath_expression_index);
SET result = IF(result='', single_tag, CONCAT(result, p_delimiter, single_tag));
SET @i = @i + 1;
END WHILE;

# return total result
RETURN result;
END |

Usage Code:

SET @XXXMMMMLLL = '  time1   time2 ';

SELECT EXTRACTVALUE_ALL(@XXXMMMMLLL, '/descendant-or-self::time', '  |  ');

Output:

time1  |  time2

Rememeber that you will need a MYSQL permission for creating new functions.

MDB-BLOG :)

NSIS - Launch a program as user from UAC elevated installer

2013-01-02T12:43:00.000+02:00

NSIS - Launch a program as user from UAC elevated installer

==========================================

I noticed that if a program is running as UAC elevated (admin or high user privileges),

any opening process by this process will get the same privileges as the executing program,

which means, that any process opened by this UAC elevated program will be elevated also.

I found a solution for it, for opening the process UN-ELEVATED from ELEVATED running program.
I show this information as for NSIS installer, but can be used in ANY development environment (C#, NSIS, C++, JAVA, VB, and any).

The idea is to run the process in UN-ELEVATED mode, using windows's file explorer process `explorer.exe` (info).
Lets say the process that we want to launch is on `$TEMP\MyUnElevatedProcess.exe`.
So, for NSIS code, I will just write:

Exec '"$WINDIR\explorer.exe" "$TEMP\MyUnElevatedProcess.exe"'

And this will do the work...
The process `MyUnElevatedProcess.exe` will run with same ELEVATION that have your windows login, as have `$WINDIR\explorer.exe`.

Execute with parameters:
In addition, if the UN-ELEVATED process need to executed with parameters, you will need to create another file that executes the UN-ELEVATED process (for example a BATCH file which just run the process with the command line parameters).
a good example can be:

; assuming that the file `MyUnElevatedProcess.exe` exists on `$TEMP\`

; create shortcut with ARGUMENTS
CreateShortCut "$TEMP\Shortcut.lnk" "$TEMP\MyUnElevatedProcess.exe" "/arg1 /arg2 /arg3"

; execute the file NON elevated
Exec '"$WINDIR\explorer.exe" "$TEMP\Shortcut.lnk"'

Remember,
if your main program (the executing), is not ELEVATED, this logic is not relevant, because then you can just run `Exec` (open-process function in NSIS) which will have the same elevation as your process.

I hope it helps,
MDB-BLOG

c# WinForm | Check form window size and location

2011-05-22T10:23:00.001+03:00

Hello,

I wanted to open a new window form, exactly near another form. (pinning one form to another).
Because of the border difference among Windows XP, Vista and Windows7 (win7), it didn't work easily.

So to determine windows size under win7/vista, I had to check if Windows Aero. (checking made by short&easy code)

Now, after checking this, I had to also support winXP (which does not have AERO technology).

For finding the left and right window border size (width) I used the SystemInformation Class which provides information about the current system environment.

Note:
I recommend to check if it works for other FormBorderStyle.

The code:

internal static bool IsAeroEnabled()
{
    bool isEnabled = false;
    if (Environment.OSVersion.Version.Major >= 6)
    {
        try
        {
            DwmIsCompositionEnabled(out isEnabled);
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            Logger.WriteLog(ex);
        }
    }
    return isEnabled;
}
[DllImport("dwmapi.dll")]
internal static extern int DwmIsCompositionEnabled(out bool enabled);

Best regard,
MDB Blog

Check HOSTS file - C# WinForms

2011-05-02T10:33:00.000+03:00

Hello,

In today's post i'm giving a good (and simple) anti-hacking tool which allow your application to CHECK for any changes in the Windows HOSTS file.

So, the operation is simple:
Just read the hosts file content, and validate that your site DNS is not included in the list.
[basiclly, check if hosts file contains your dns name]
if so, the user probably is trying to bypass your server so you can stop him from doing so.

The code:

static bool IsDnsByPassed(string p_dnsName)
{
    string path = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.System), @"drivers\etc\hosts");
    string hostsText = File.ReadAllText(path);
    return hostsText.ToLower().Contains(p_dnsName.ToLower());
}

Note:
Although reading the HOSTS file is allowed to all user, do not try to edit the HOSTS file, because on Vista & Windows7 this operation is allowed only for administrators. if your application is NOT running as Admin, then you won't have permission for this (and an Exception will be thrown).

Best regard,
MDB-Blog

MSI | Embed images inside MSI installer file

2011-02-10T10:12:00.000+02:00

In this post I show how to embed images inside MSI installer file.

The first try i made was to try adding splash image and banners to the installer through Visual-Studio User-Interface. (just added two jpg files into "Common Files Folder", and set the SplashBitmap and BannerBitmap attributes). But doing so, created a problem - when changing the image, new version installer did NOT changed the images (or the images disappeared).
So i needed another solution...

The next solution is just to INSERT those images (banner&splash) directly into the MSI file created by Visual-Studio.
I created file run.js file, which automaticlly runs when the build process finished, and edits the MSI. This is achieved by setting the PostBuildEvent on the Windows Installer project.

The event that added is to the PostBuildEvent: (remember to copy the file to the main folder of the Windows Installer project)

cscript.exe "$(ProjectDir)run.js" "$(BuiltOuputPath)"

In this way, you don't have to add any image file to your project, and it s embedded in the msi file (which u can edit any time).

The run.js file:

// run.js // Performs a post-build fixup of an msi

if (WScript.Arguments.Length != 1)
{
       WScript.StdErr.WriteLine(WScript.ScriptName + " file");
       WScript.Quit(1);
}

var filespec = WScript.Arguments(0);
var installer = WScript.CreateObject("WindowsInstaller.Installer");
var database = installer.OpenDatabase(filespec, 1/*msiOpenDatabaseModeTransact*/);

var sql
var view
var record

try {

    WScript.Echo("UPDATE default banner image");
    sql = "UPDATE `Binary` SET `Data` = ? WHERE `Name`= 'DefBannerBitmap'";
    view = database.OpenView(sql)
    record = installer.CreateRecord(1);
    record.SetStream(1, "C:\\installer_banner_img.jpg");
    view.Execute(record);
    view.Close();
       WScript.Echo("ADD splash image");
    sql = "INSERT INTO `Binary` (`Name`, `Data`) VALUES ('DefSplashBitmap', ?)";
    view = database.OpenView(sql)
    record = installer.CreateRecord(1);
    record.SetStream(1, "C:\\Installer_splash_img.jpg");
    view.Execute(record);
    view.Close();

    WScript.Echo("Update splash control");
    sql = "UPDATE `Control` SET `Text`='DefSplashBitmap' WHERE `Dialog_`='SplashForm' AND `Control`='SplashBmp'";
    view = database.OpenView(sql)
    view.Execute();
    view.Close();
       database.Commit();
}
catch (e) {
    WScript.StdErr.Write("|||ERROR||| ");
    WScript.StdErr.WriteLine(e.Message);
    WScript.Quit(1);
}

Note:
Before running this script, add a splash screen to the installer (using User-Interface view in Visual Studio)

(*) this is also a good example how to add/update binary(image) into your MSI using a sql script.

Best regard,
MDB-Blog

C# | Determine if Adobe (Macromedia) Flash player installed.

2011-02-01T18:56:00.000+02:00

All started when I needed to integrate an Adobe (Macromedia) Flash object in my C# WinForm application.
I saw several posts about it, where two solutions where presents:
1. Add WebBrowser Control and just nevigate to the "test.swf" file.
2. Create COM object of ADOBE MACROMEDIA.

I liked the 1st option more, because I don't need to handle COM objects (and to add another DLL to the app).
Here is the code I used:

WebBrowser wb = new WebBrowser();
//wb.Location = SOME LOCATION
//wb.Size = SOME SIZE
wb.AllowNavigation = false;
wb.IsWebBrowserContextMenuEnabled = false;
this.Controls.Add(wb); // this = FORM
wb.Navigate(@"C:\test.swf");

BUT, Then i noticed that when a pc do NOT have Adobe (Macromedia) Flash player installed, the webbrowser display a big red X.
SO, before I use the FLASH image in my winform application, I needed to check if FLASH player is INSTALLED or not!

The idea is to check the registry for:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Macromedia\FlashPlayer\CurrentVersion

And indeed it worked!
Here is the full code for testing if FLASH installed (and also get the major Version):

internal static int? GetFlashPlayerVersion()
{
    using (RegistryKey rk = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(@"SOFTWARE\Macromedia\FlashPlayer"))
    {
        if (rk != null)
        {
            string version = rk.GetValue("CurrentVersion") as string;
            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(version) == false)
            {
                int idx = version.IndexOf(",");
                if (idx > 0)
                {
                    int value;
                    if (int.TryParse(version.Substring(0, idx), out value) == true)
                    {
                        return value;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
    return null;
}

And the code which using the method:

int? flashVersion = WindowsUtils.GetFlashPlayerVersion();
if (flashVersion.HasValue == true && flashVersion > 6)
{
    WebBrowser wb = new WebBrowser();
    wb.AllowNavigation = false;
    wb.IsWebBrowserContextMenuEnabled = false;
    this.Controls.Add(wb); // this = FORM
    wb.Navigate(@"C:\test.swf");
}

Best regards,
MDB-Blog

C# | Check if app is installed for “All users” or "Just me"

2010-12-08T16:58:00.005+02:00

Today I bring a very HARD-to-find topic about getting an installed application "Installation context".
An installation context may be Per-Machine Installation Context (ALLUSERS=1) and Per-User Installation Context (ALLUSERS="").

When installing an application, the user may select one of two options:
a. Install [APP] for yourself
b. or for anyone who uses this computer
[a] installs only for the current user(just me) while [b] installs for the Local System user which is for all-users(everyone).

In this post I will give a code for checking is an installed application was installed for "Everyone" or "Just me".

The validation process is check if the APPLICATION-NAME exists in the registry keys under UserData.
(*) Everyone - check under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\ (S-1-5-18 represents the Local System user)

(*) Just me (Current user) - check under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-?!?!?!?!\Products\ (S-?!?!?!?! represents the Current user. this value found by the code: WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent().User.Value.

[Code] Method's return type:

private enum InstallationContexts { NotInstalled, Everyone, JustMe };

[Code] Method declaration:

private InstallationContexts GetInstalledContext(string p_appDisplayName)

{

    //The S-1-5-18  =

Local System user (Everyone) | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\

    //The S-XXXXXX  =

Current user (Just me)       |

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-?!?!?!?!\Products\

    string key;

    string keyFormat = @"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\{0}\Products\";

    // Check if installed for -> Everyone

    key = string.Format(keyFormat, "S-1-5-18");

    bool res = GetInstalledContext_IsRegKeyExists(key, p_appDisplayName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);

    if (res == true)

    {

        return InstallationContexts.Everyone;

    }

    // Check if installed for -> Just me

    key = string.Format(keyFormat, WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent().User.Value);

    res = GetInstalledContext_IsRegKeyExists(key, p_appDisplayName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);

    if (res == true)

    {

        return InstallationContexts.JustMe;

    }

    return InstallationContexts.NotInstalled;

}

private bool GetInstalledContext_IsRegKeyExists(string p_regKey, string p_appDisplayName, StringComparison p_scompare)

{

    using (RegistryKey regkey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(p_regKey))

    {

        if (regkey != null)

        {

            RegistryKey rk;

            string[] arrProducs = regkey.GetSubKeyNames();

            for (int i = 0; i < arrProducs.Length; i++) 

            {

               using (rk = regkey.OpenSubKey(arrProducs[i] + @"\InstallProperties"))

               {

                   if (rk != null &&

                        p_appDisplayName.Equals(rk.GetValue("DisplayName").ToString(), p_scompare) == true)

                   {

                        return true;

                   }

               }

            }

        }

    }

    return false;

}

[Code] Method's usage example:

InstallationContexts  appContext = GetInstalledContext("APP-DISPLAY-NAME");

This code gives the ability to detect previously installed application or previously installed software is installed to ALLUSERS (everyone) or only to CURRENT USER (just me).

Addition on 19.12.2010:
(*) This checking operation is valid ONLY for an application and software which were installed using Microsoft's Windows Installer.
For general checking for installed application, check my post about check if program/application is installed.

Enjoy...
MDB-Blog

C# | check if program/application is installed on remote computer

2010-12-02T12:04:00.000+02:00

As an advance to my previous post about checking if a program or an application is installed on my comptuer, I bringing a code for doing this validation on a remote computer.

The code is the same as checking for installed app in local comptuer (as described here) except that checking remote machine registry.
The remote machine registry checking is preformed using the static method OpenRemoteBaseKey of the class RegistryKey.

The code:

public static bool IsAppInstalled(string p_machineName, string p_name)
{
   string keyName;

   // search in: CurrentUser
   keyName = @"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall";
   if (ExistsInRemoteSubKey(p_machineName, RegistryHive.CurrentUser, keyName, "DisplayName", p_name) == true)
   {
      return true;
   }

   // search in: LocalMachine_32
   keyName = @"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall";
   if (ExistsInRemoteSubKey(p_machineName, RegistryHive.LocalMachine, keyName, "DisplayName", p_name) == true)
   {
      return true;
   }

   // search in: LocalMachine_64
   keyName = @"SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall";
   if (ExistsInRemoteSubKey(p_machineName, RegistryHive.LocalMachine, keyName, "DisplayName", p_name) == true)
   {
      return true;
   }

   return false;
}
private static bool ExistsInRemoteSubKey(string p_machineName, RegistryHive p_hive, string p_subKeyName, string p_attributeName, string p_name)
{
   RegistryKey subkey;
   string displayName;

   using (RegistryKey regHive = RegistryKey.OpenRemoteBaseKey(p_hive, p_machineName))
   {
      using (RegistryKey regKey = regHive.OpenSubKey(p_subKeyName))
      {
         if (regKey != null)
         {
            foreach (string kn in regKey.GetSubKeyNames())
            {
               using (subkey = regKey.OpenSubKey(kn))
               {
                  displayName = subkey.GetValue(p_attributeName) as string;
                  if (p_name.Equals(displayName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) == true) // key found!
                  {
                     return true;
                  }
               }
            }
         }
      }
   }
   return false;
}

How to use this code:

string MACHINE_NAME = "MY-PC-NAME";
 string APPLICATION_NAME = "APP-NAME";
 try
 {
   bool isAppInstalled = IsAppInstalled(MACHINE_NAME, APPLICATION_NAME);
     string msg = string.Format("Application '{0}' is {1} on the remote-machine '{2}'!",
  APPLICATION_NAME,
  isAppInstalled ? "installed" : "NOT installed",
  MACHINE_NAME);
   MessageBox.Show(msg);
 }
 catch (Exception ex)
 {
   MessageBox.Show(ex.Message);
 }
 

Enjoy...
MDB-Blog

c# | Check if VcRedist installed (x86/x64/IA64)

2010-11-28T15:03:00.000+02:00

The following code checks if vcredist (Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package) is installed.
This check is used when we want to assure that the Visual C++ 2008 SP1 is INSTALLED perior to the application launch.

The code is using the MsiQueryProductState function from the msi.dll.

We check the product codes of vcredist_x86, vcredist_x64 and vcredist_IA64 using MsiQueryProductState to validate if the product is installed or not!
(vcredist product codes are listed HERE)

The Code:

public enum INSTALLSTATE

{

   INSTALLSTATE_NOTUSED = -7,  // component disabled

   INSTALLSTATE_BADCONFIG = -6,  // configuration datacorrupt

   INSTALLSTATE_INCOMPLETE = -5,  // installationsuspended or in progress

   INSTALLSTATE_SOURCEABSENT = -4,  // run from source,source is unavailable

   INSTALLSTATE_MOREDATA = -3,  // return bufferoverflow

   INSTALLSTATE_INVALIDARG = -2,  // invalid functionargument

   INSTALLSTATE_UNKNOWN = -1,  // unrecognized productor feature

   INSTALLSTATE_BROKEN = 0,  // broken

   INSTALLSTATE_ADVERTISED = 1,  // advertised feature

   INSTALLSTATE_REMOVED = 1,  // component being removed(action state, not settable)

   INSTALLSTATE_ABSENT = 2,  // uninstalled (or actionstate absent but clients remain)

   INSTALLSTATE_LOCAL = 3,  // installed on local drive

   INSTALLSTATE_SOURCE = 4,  // run from source, CD ornet

   INSTALLSTATE_DEFAULT = 5,  // use default, local orsource

}

[DllImport("msi.dll")]

private static extern INSTALLSTATE MsiQueryProductState(string product);

public static boolIsVCRedistInstalled()

{

   string[] strCodes = newstring[]

   {

       //vcredist_x86 - ProductCode

       "{9A25302D-30C0-39D9-BD6F-21E6EC160475}",

       "{86CE1746-9EFF-3C9C-8755-81EA8903AC34}",

       "{CA8A885F-E95B-3FC6-BB91-F4D9377C7686}",

       "{820B6609-4C97-3A2B-B644-573B06A0F0CC}",

       "{6AFCA4E1-9B78-3640-8F72-A7BF33448200}",

       "{F03CB3EF-DC16-35CE-B3C1-C68EA09E5E97}",

       "{402ED4A1-8F5B-387A-8688-997ABF58B8F2}",

       "{887868A2-D6DE-3255-AA92-AA0B5A59B874}",

       "{527BBE2F-1FED-3D8B-91CB-4DB0F838E69E}",

       "{57660847-B1F7-35BD-9118-F62EB863A598}",

       //vcredist_x64 - ProductCode

       "{8220EEFE-38CD-377E-8595-13398D740ACE}",

       "{56F27690-F6EA-3356-980A-02BA379506EE}",

       "{14297226-E0A0-3781-8911-E9D529552663}",

       "{9B3F0A88-790D-3AD9-9F96-B19CF2746452}",

       "{D285FC5F-3021-32E9-9C59-24CA325BDC5C}",

       "{092EE08C-60DE-3FE6-B113-90076EC06D0D}",

       "{A96702F7-EFC8-3EED-BE46-22C809D4EBE5}",

       "{92B8FD1F-C1AE-3750-8577-631B0AA85DF5}",

       "{2DFD8316-9EF1-3210-908C-4CB61961C1AC}",

       "{E34002C7-8CE7-3F76-B36C-09FA973BC4F6}",

       //vcredist_IA64 - ProductCode

       "{5827ECE1-AEB0-328E-B813-6FC68622C1F9}",

       "{9363B366-8370-34F7-8164-25052EBF35FD}",

       "{4EC84186-70BB-3121-9C1B-C63512D7126E}",

       "{1F7B9797-A3C8-3B98-85C4-00620F221CE8}",

       "{6BE0A7C7-3462-30EE-8B77-D21D7848D967}",

       "{BF58DC07-38AB-3887-8000-70173F9650EA}",

       "{D289009A-2728-3D0A-833E-F08E0E58934C}",

       "{9476DC14-00C3-3C36-A435-00D714CF77B8}",

       "{678835D7-D524-3C0E-9C33-1D3767FDA6BF}"

   };

   INSTALLSTATE state;

   for (int i = 0;i < strCodes.Length; i++)

   {

       state = MsiQueryProductState(strCodes[i]);

       if (state == INSTALLSTATE.INSTALLSTATE_LOCAL||

           state == INSTALLSTATE.INSTALLSTATE_DEFAULT)

       {

           return true;

       }

   }

   return false;

}

You may also extent and improve this method to check only those Product Codes that matching current architecture (x86/x64/IA64).

Hope it helps,
MDB-Blog

Bootstrapper Package | detect vcredist installed | Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package

2010-11-24T14:54:00.003+02:00

As a countinue post of my previous http://mdb-blog.blogspot.com/2010/11/bootstrapper-package-visual-studio-2010.html about Bootstrapper Package ( Visual Studio 2010) of Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable, i give an example for:
Bootstrapper Package for Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package
(also known as Visual C++ 9.0 runtime redistributable package)

As I searched for many sites, I couldn't find any GOOD article about detecting this resi package.
So, I built a bootstrapper package using the information I found on Aaron's post: "How to detect the presence of the Visual C++ 9.0 runtime redistributable package" at http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2009/01/29/9384143.aspx.

First of all, we have to detect if one of (vcredist_x86, vcredist_x64, vcredist_IA64) is INSTALLED!
To do so, we will use the MsiQueryProductState API inside our Product.xml in the bootstrapper package folder. (for more information about bootstrapper package files watch my previous post.
Because there is a difference in the Product-Code between the localized versions of the redistributables for VC++ 2008, i checked and write down all the product codes in the following table:

vcredist_x86.exe	ProductCode
English	{9A25302D-30C0-39D9-BD6F-21E6EC160475}
ChineseSimplified	{86CE1746-9EFF-3C9C-8755-81EA8903AC34}
ChineseTraditional	{CA8A885F-E95B-3FC6-BB91-F4D9377C7686}
French	{820B6609-4C97-3A2B-B644-573B06A0F0CC}
German	{6AFCA4E1-9B78-3640-8F72-A7BF33448200}
Italian	{F03CB3EF-DC16-35CE-B3C1-C68EA09E5E97}
Japanese	{402ED4A1-8F5B-387A-8688-997ABF58B8F2}
Korean	{887868A2-D6DE-3255-AA92-AA0B5A59B874}
Russian	{527BBE2F-1FED-3D8B-91CB-4DB0F838E69E}
Spanish	{57660847-B1F7-35BD-9118-F62EB863A598}

UpgradeCode for all {AA783A14-A7A3-3D33-95F0-9A351D530011}

vcredist_x64.exe	ProductCode
English	{8220EEFE-38CD-377E-8595-13398D740ACE}
ChineseSimplified	{56F27690-F6EA-3356-980A-02BA379506EE}
ChineseTraditional	{14297226-E0A0-3781-8911-E9D529552663}
French	{9B3F0A88-790D-3AD9-9F96-B19CF2746452}
German	{D285FC5F-3021-32E9-9C59-24CA325BDC5C}
Italian	{092EE08C-60DE-3FE6-B113-90076EC06D0D}
Japanese	{A96702F7-EFC8-3EED-BE46-22C809D4EBE5}
Korean	{92B8FD1F-C1AE-3750-8577-631B0AA85DF5}
Russian	{2DFD8316-9EF1-3210-908C-4CB61961C1AC}
Spanish	{E34002C7-8CE7-3F76-B36C-09FA973BC4F6}

UpgradeCode for all {AA783A14-A7A3-3D33-95F0-9A351D530011}

vcredist_IA64.exe	ProductCode
English	{5827ECE1-AEB0-328E-B813-6FC68622C1F9}
ChineseSimplified	{9363B366-8370-34F7-8164-25052EBF35FD}
ChineseTraditional	{4EC84186-70BB-3121-9C1B-C63512D7126E}
French	{1F7B9797-A3C8-3B98-85C4-00620F221CE8}
German	{6BE0A7C7-3462-30EE-8B77-D21D7848D967}
Italian	{BF58DC07-38AB-3887-8000-70173F9650EA}
Japanese	{D289009A-2728-3D0A-833E-F08E0E58934C}
Korean	{9476DC14-00C3-3C36-A435-00D714CF77B8}
Russian	[Installer NOT exists!]
Spanish	{678835D7-D524-3C0E-9C33-1D3767FDA6BF}

UpgradeCode for all {AA783A14-A7A3-3D33-95F0-9A351D530011}

All left is to create the bootstrapper folder (name it Vcredist2008sp1):
(*) en (FOLDER)
(*) package.xml
(*) Product.xml
(*) redist.txt
(*) vcredist_x86.exe (download here)
(*) vcredist_x64.exe (download here)
(*) vcredist_IA64.exe (download here)

package.xml file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Package Name="DisplayName" Culture="Culture" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/2004/01/bootstrapper">
  <Strings>
    <String Name="Culture">en</String>
    <String Name="DisplayName">Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package</String>
    <String Name="AdminRequired">Administrator permissions are required to install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package Contact your administrator.</String>
    <String Name="CancelledInstall">The user has cancelled the installation. The Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package has not been installed.</String>
    <String Name="GeneralFailure">A failure occurred attempting to install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package.</String>
    <String Name="ErrorDownloading">A failure occurred while downloading Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package.</String>
  </Strings>
</Package>

Product.xml file:
1. PackageFiles (installation files):

2. InstallChecks (valiadation prefurmed):

3. for each installation check if any localized installed:

Download link for the full bootstrapper package is here:
download full package here

Hope it helps,
MDB-Blog

How to determine the Windows version by using Visual C# | windows 7 windows vista

2010-11-23T15:25:00.000+02:00

Here is a good code includes Windows 7 and Windows Vista recognaizer.

Code:

public enum WindowsVersions { UnKnown,
Win95, Win98, WinMe, WinNT3or4, Win2000, WinXP, WinServer2003, WinVista,
Win7, MacOSX, Unix,
Xbox };

public static
WindowsVersions GetCurrentWindowsVersion()

{

// Get OperatingSystem
information from the system namespace.

System.OperatingSystem osInfo = System.Environment.OSVersion;

// Determine the platform.

if (osInfo.Platform
== System.PlatformID.Win32Windows)

{

// Platform is Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second
Edition, or Windows Me.

switch (osInfo.Version.Minor)

{

case 0:

//Console.WriteLine("Windows 95");

return WindowsVersions.Win95;

case 10:

//if (osInfo.Version.Revision.ToString() == "2222A")

// Console.WriteLine("Windows 98 Second Edition");

//else

// Console.WriteLine("Windows 98");

return WindowsVersions.Win98;

case 90:

//Console.WriteLine("Windows Me");

return WindowsVersions.WinMe;

}

else if (osInfo.Platform == System.PlatformID.Win32NT)

{

// Platform is Windows NT 3.51, Windows NT 4.0, Windows
2000, or Windows XP.

switch (osInfo.Version.Major)

{

case 3:

case 4:

//Console.WriteLine("Windows NT 3.51"); // = 3

//Console.WriteLine("Windows NT 4.0"); // = 4

return WindowsVersions.WinNT3or4;

case 5:

switch (osInfo.Version.Minor)

{

case 0:

//name = "Windows 2000";

return WindowsVersions.Win2000;

case 1:

//name = "Windows XP";

return WindowsVersions.WinXP;

case 2:

//name = "Windows Server 2003";

return WindowsVersions.WinServer2003;

}

break;

case 6:

switch (osInfo.Version.Minor)

{

case 0:

// Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 (distinct by rpoduct
type)

return WindowsVersions.WinVista;

case 1:

return WindowsVersions.Win7;

}

break;

}

else if (osInfo.Platform == System.PlatformID.Unix)

{

return WindowsVersions.Unix;

}

else if (osInfo.Platform == System.PlatformID.MacOSX)

{

return WindowsVersions.MacOSX;

}

else if (osInfo.Platform == PlatformID.Xbox)

{

return WindowsVersions.Xbox;

}

return WindowsVersions.UnKnown;

}

Enjoy...
mdb-blog

Bootstrapper Package | Visual Studio 2010 | Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable

2010-11-22T16:08:00.004+02:00

After long searching & reading, I created Bootstrapper package for using prerequisites on my setup project for my dot.net 2.0 application.

First of all, there must exist the Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable packages installation files:
1. dotnetfx.exe - for x86 (download here)
2. NetFx64.exe - for x64 (download here)
3. NetFx64.exe - for IA64-Itanium (download here)

Let's rename the files (respectively) so they will be more readable:
1. dotnetfx_x86.exe (for x86)
2. NetFx64_x64.exe (for x64)
3. NetFx64_IA64.exe (for IA64-Itanium)

Now, we have to create new Bootstrapper Package for this cause Visual Studio 2010 not contains in its setup prerequisites the Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0.

First we create a folder on C:\ and then copy the finished folder to the Bootstrapper folder.

Step 1
Create a folder under C:\ and name it DotNetFx20
Inside DotNetFx20, create:
a. copy the 3 downloaded Redistributable files to it (dotnetfx_x86.exe, NetFx64_x64.exe, NetFx64_IA64.exe)
b. create an (empty) XML file named Product.xml (will be edited later)
c. create a folder named en (for english locale) and create an (empty) XML file named package.xml

Step 2
[Expand/Collapse] Edit file Product.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

<Product

xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/2004/01/bootstrapper"

ProductCode="Microsoft.Net.Framework.2.0">

</RelatedProducts>

</Schedule>

</Schedules>

</PackageFiles>

</InstallChecks>

<Command PackageFile="dotnetfx_x86.exe"

Arguments= '/q'

EstimatedInstallSeconds="150" EstimatedInstalledBytes="80000000" EstimatedTempBytes="50000000">

</InstallConditions>

</ExitCodes>

</Command>

<Command PackageFile="NetFx64_x64.exe"

Arguments= '/q'

EstimatedInstallSeconds="150" EstimatedInstalledBytes="180000000" EstimatedTempBytes="110000000">

</InstallConditions>

</ExitCodes>

</Command>

<Command PackageFile="NetFx64_IA64"

Arguments= '/q'

EstimatedInstallSeconds="150" EstimatedInstalledBytes="180000000" EstimatedTempBytes="110000000">

</InstallConditions>

</ExitCodes>

</Command>

</Commands>

</Product>

Step 3
[Expand/Collapse] Edit file package.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

</PackageFiles>

<String Name="DisplayName">.NET
Framework 2.0</String>

<String Name="InvalidPlatformWin9x">Installation
of the .NET Framework 2.0 is not supported on Windows 95/98/ME. Contact your
application vendor.</String>

<String Name="InvalidPlatformWinNT">Installation
of the .NET Framework 2.0 requires a minimum of one of the following: Windows
2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 Service
Pack 1. To upgrade Windows Vista to .NET Frameworks 2.0 requires the
installation of .NET Frameworks 3.5 SP1, available on Microsoft Download
Center.</String>

<String Name="InvalidPlatformArchitecture">This version of the .NET Framework 2.0 is not
supported on an IA-64 operating system. Contact your application vendor.</String>

<String Name="NotOnVista">This
version of the .NET Framework 2.0 can not be installed on Vista or Windows
Server 2008. Install .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, which will upgrade .NET Framework
2.0 to SP2, or contact your application vendor.</String>

<String Name="AdminRequired">Administrator
permissions are required to install the .NET Framework 2.0. Contact your
administrator.</String>

<String Name="InvalidPlatformIE">Installation
of the .NET Framework 2.0 requires Internet Explorer 5.01 or greater. Contact
your application vendor.</String>

<String Name="CancelledInstall">The
user has cancelled the installation. The .NET Framework 2.0 has not been
installed.</String>

<String Name="GeneralFailure">A
failure occurred attempting to install the .NET Framework 2.0.</String>

<String Name="ErrorDownloading">A
failure occurred while downloading .NET Framework 2.0 package.</String>

</Strings>

</Package>

Step 4
Copy the folder DotNetFx20 to the Bootstrapper packages folder which is under:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bootstrapper\Packages\

Step 5
That's it.. :)

Here is the whole Bootstrapper Package ready-to-use folder to download without (dotnetfx_x86.exe, NetFx64_x64.exe, NetFx64_IA64.exe) which can be downloaded from MSDN directly (links above):
download here (updated file)

Update (29.11.2010):
There was problem with the Product.xml file, so file updated and also zip file for downloading. The filenames did NOT match...

Regards,
MDB-Blog

C# | Winforms | Textbox within Button

2010-11-14T17:02:00.000+02:00

Here is an example for creating a Button control which contains a Textbox inside it.
This is very usefull when the button functionality is based (only) on the textbox content text, and it is very usefull for the user.

Screenshot (image) example:

The Code:

class ButtonWithTextbox : Button
{
    TextBox _textbox = new TextBox();

    public int TextboxWidth
    {
        get { return _textbox.Width; }
        set { _textbox.Width = value; }
    }
    public Point TextboxLocation
    {
        get { return _textbox.Location; }
        set { _textbox.Location = value; }
    }
    /** And we may add all properties of the Textbox ***/

    public ButtonWithTextbox()
    {
        this.Controls.Add(_textbox);
    }
}

Also work great on the designer... :)

MDB-Blog
http://mdb-blog.blogspot.com

Microsoft Spy++ or Spyxx for download

2010-11-04T17:23:00.001+02:00

After long! searching for this program, i finally found it:
Microsoft Spy++ or by other name spyxx.exe for windows.

Spy++ version 7.x

Download spy++ 7 here
This is the binary code, just extract the RAR file and run application :)
it working great on windows 7.

Spy++ version 8.x

Download spy++ 8 here
This is the binary code, just extract the RAR file and run application...
it working great on windows 7.

You welcome to download it,
MDB-Blog

C# | How to deskew an image

2010-10-06T17:12:00.000+02:00

I found this code on CodeProject site:
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/graphics/Deskew_an_Image.aspx
By mackenb | 25 Apr 2006

The article describes an algorithm to calculate the skew angle of an image.

This is converted to C#: (tested and working)
The Code:

using System.Drawing;
using System.Drawing.Imaging;
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;

public class gmseDeskew
{
    // Representation of a line in the image.
    public class HougLine
    {
        //' Count of points in the line.
        public int Count;
        //' Index in Matrix.
        public int Index;
        //' The line is represented as all x,y that solve y*cos(alpha)-x*sin(alpha)=d
        public double Alpha;
        public double d;
    }

    // The Bitmap
    Bitmap cBmp;
    // The range of angles to search for lines
    double cAlphaStart = -20;
    double cAlphaStep = 0.2;
    int cSteps = 40 * 5;
    // Precalculation of sin and cos.
    double[] cSinA;
    double[] cCosA;
    // Range of d
    double cDMin;
    double cDStep = 1;
    int cDCount;
    // Count of points that fit in a line.
    int[] cHMatrix;

    // calculate the skew angle of the image cBmp

    public double GetSkewAngle()
    {
        HougLine[] hl;
        int i;
        double sum = 0;
        int count = 0;

        //' Hough Transformation
        Calc();
        //' Top 20 of the detected lines in the image.
        hl = GetTop(20);
        //' Average angle of the lines
        for (i = 0; i < 19; i++)
        {
             sum += hl[i].Alpha;
             count += 1;
         }
         return sum / count;
     }

     //    ' Calculate the Count lines in the image with most points.
    private HougLine[] GetTop(int Count)
     {
         HougLine[] hl;
         int j;
         HougLine tmp;
         int AlphaIndex, dIndex;
         hl = new HougLine[Count];
         for (int i = 0; i < Count; i++)
         {
             hl[i] = new HougLine();
         }
         for (int i = 0; i < cHMatrix.Length - 1; i++)
         {
             if (cHMatrix[i] > hl[Count - 1].Count)
            {
                hl[Count - 1].Count = cHMatrix[i];
                hl[Count - 1].Index = i;
                j = Count - 1;
                while (j > 0 && hl[j].Count > hl[j - 1].Count)
                {
                    tmp = hl[j];
                    hl[j] = hl[j - 1];
                    hl[j - 1] = tmp;
                    j -= 1;
                }
            }
        }
        for (int i = 0; i < Count; i++)
         {
             dIndex = hl[i].Index / cSteps;
             AlphaIndex = hl[i].Index - dIndex * cSteps;
             hl[i].Alpha = GetAlpha(AlphaIndex);
             hl[i].d = dIndex + cDMin;
         }
         return hl;
     }
     public void New(Bitmap bmp)
     {
         cBmp = bmp;
     }

     //    ' Hough Transforamtion:
     private void Calc()
     {
         int x;
         int y;
         int hMin = cBmp.Height / 4;
         int hMax = cBmp.Height * 3 / 4;
         Init();
         for (y = hMin; y < hMax; y++)
         {
             for (x = 1; x < cBmp.Width - 2; x++)
             {
                 //' Only lower edges are considered.
                 if (IsBlack(x, y) == true)
                 {
                     if (IsBlack(x, y + 1) == false)
                     {
                         Calc(x, y);
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
     }

     //    ' Calculate all lines through the point (x,y).
     private void Calc(int x, int y)
     {
         double d;
         int dIndex;
         int Index;
         for (int alpha = 0; alpha < cSteps - 1; alpha++)
         {
             d = y * cCosA[alpha] - x * cSinA[alpha];
             dIndex = (int)CalcDIndex(d);
             Index = dIndex * cSteps + alpha;

             try
             {
                 cHMatrix[Index] += 1;
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
                 Debug.WriteLine(ex.ToString());
             }
         }
     }
     private double CalcDIndex(double d)
     {
         return Convert.ToInt32(d - cDMin);
     }
     private bool IsBlack(int x, int y)
     {
         Color c;
         double luminance;
         c = cBmp.GetPixel(x, y);
         luminance = (c.R * 0.299) + (c.G * 0.587) + (c.B * 0.114);
         return luminance < 140;
     }
     private void Init()
     {
         double angle;
         //' Precalculation of sin and cos.
         cSinA = new double[cSteps - 1];
         cCosA = new double[cSteps - 1];
         for (int i = 0; i < cSteps - 1; i++)
         {
             angle = GetAlpha(i) * Math.PI / 180.0;
             cSinA[i] = Math.Sin(angle);
             cCosA[i] = Math.Cos(angle);
         }
         //' Range of d
:         cDMin = -cBmp.Width;
         cDCount = (int)(2 * (cBmp.Width + cBmp.Height) / cDStep);
         cHMatrix = new int[cDCount * cSteps];
     }
     public double GetAlpha(int Index)
     {
         return cAlphaStart + Index * cAlphaStep;
     }     public static Bitmap RotateImage(Bitmap bmp, double angle)
     {
         Graphics g;
         Bitmap tmp = new Bitmap(bmp.Width, bmp.Height, PixelFormat.Format32bppRgb);
         tmp.SetResolution(bmp.HorizontalResolution, bmp.VerticalResolution);
         g = Graphics.FromImage(tmp);
         try
         {
             g.FillRectangle(Brushes.White, 0, 0, bmp.Width, bmp.Height);
             g.RotateTransform((float)angle);
             g.DrawImage(bmp, 0, 0);
         }
         finally
         {
             g.Dispose();
         }
         return tmp;
     }
}

enjoy...

Trim Image white-spaces (black&white) | C# Winforms

2010-10-04T12:35:00.000+02:00

I searched for a simple code that preform "TRIMMING" to an image.
By "trimming" i mean, that if i have a LARGE image that contains information (painting/drawing...) only in small part of the image and all other is white-space (WHITE or BLACK pixels).

I needed to remove such whitespace and also to decrease image size.
Following three code examples:

Code #1 - Gets the NON-WHITE-SPACE bounds of an image

private Rectangle GetImageNonWhiteSpaceBounds(Bitmap p_img, bool p_isBlackWhitespace)
{
    Rectangle rect = new Rectangle();
    unsafe
    {
        BitmapData bdActual = null;
        try
        {
            int width = p_img.Width;
            int height = p_img.Height;

            bdActual = p_img.LockBits(new Rectangle(0, 0, width, height), System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageLockMode.ReadOnly, PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb);
            Int32 i;
            Int32 pSize = 3;
            Byte whiteTrashold = (Byte)240;
            Byte blackTrashold = (Byte)10;
            Byte* sourceRow;

            Int32 minX = width;
            Int32 maxX = 0;
            Int32 minY = height;
            Int32 maxY = 0;
            bool isWhitepace;

            for (Int32 _y = 0; _y < height; ++_y)             {                 sourceRow = (Byte*)bdActual.Scan0 + (_y * bdActual.Stride);                 for (Int32 _x = 0; _x < width; ++_x)                 {                     i = _x * pSize;                     isWhitepace =                         (p_isBlackWhitespace && sourceRow[i] <= blackTrashold && sourceRow[i + 1] <= blackTrashold && sourceRow[i + 2] <= blackTrashold)                         ||                         (!p_isBlackWhitespace && sourceRow[i] >= whiteTrashold && sourceRow[i + 1] >= whiteTrashold && sourceRow[i + 2] >= whiteTrashold);

                    if (isWhitepace == false)
                    {
                        // NO whitespace!!!
                        minX = Math.Min(_x, minX);
                        maxX = Math.Max(_x, maxX);

                        minY = Math.Min(_y, minY);
                        maxY = Math.Max(_y, maxY);
                    }
                }
            }

            rect.X = minX;
            rect.Y = minY;
            rect.Width = maxX - minX;
            rect.Height = maxY - minY;
        }
        finally
        {
            if (bdActual != null)
            {
                p_img.UnlockBits(bdActual);
            }
        }
    }
    return rect;
}

Code #2 - Draw rectangle around the NON-WHITE-SPACE

private void DrawNonWhiteSpaceRectangle(Bitmap p_img, bool p_isBlackWhitespace, Color p_color)
{
    unsafe
    {
        BitmapData bdActual = null;
        try
        {
            int width = p_img.Width;
            int height = p_img.Height;

            bdActual = p_img.LockBits(new Rectangle(0, 0, width, height), System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageLockMode.ReadWrite, PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb);
            Int32 i;
            Int32 pSize = 3;
            Byte whiteTrashold = (Byte)240;
            Byte blackTrashold = (Byte)10;
            Byte* sourceRow;

            Int32 minX = width;
            Int32 maxX = 0;
            Int32 minY = height;
            Int32 maxY = 0;
            bool isWhitepace;

            for (Int32 _y = 0; _y < height; ++_y)             {                 sourceRow = (Byte*)bdActual.Scan0 + (_y * bdActual.Stride);                 for (Int32 _x = 0; _x < width; ++_x)                 {                     i = _x * pSize;                     isWhitepace =                         (p_isBlackWhitespace && sourceRow[i] <= blackTrashold && sourceRow[i + 1] <= blackTrashold && sourceRow[i + 2] <= blackTrashold)                         ||                         (!p_isBlackWhitespace && sourceRow[i] >= whiteTrashold && sourceRow[i + 1] >= whiteTrashold && sourceRow[i + 2] >= whiteTrashold);

                    if (isWhitepace == false)
                    {
                        // NO whitespace!!!
                        minX = Math.Min(_x, minX);
                        maxX = Math.Max(_x, maxX);

                        minY = Math.Min(_y, minY);
                        maxY = Math.Max(_y, maxY);
                    }
                }
            }

            // draw rectagle:
            for (Int32 _y = minY; _y <= maxY; ++_y)             {                 sourceRow = (Byte*)bdActual.Scan0 + (_y * bdActual.Stride);                 i = minX * pSize;                 sourceRow[i] = (Byte)p_color.R;                 sourceRow[i + 1] = (Byte)p_color.G;                 sourceRow[i + 2] = (Byte)p_color.B;                 i = maxX * pSize;                 sourceRow[i] = (Byte)p_color.R;                 sourceRow[i + 1] = (Byte)p_color.G;                 sourceRow[i + 2] = (Byte)p_color.B;             }             Byte* sourceRowX1 = (Byte*)bdActual.Scan0 + (minY * bdActual.Stride);             Byte* sourceRowX2 = (Byte*)bdActual.Scan0 + (maxY * bdActual.Stride);             for (Int32 _x = minX; _x <= maxX; ++_x)             {                 i = _x * pSize;                 sourceRowX1[i] = (Byte)p_color.R;                 sourceRowX1[i + 1] = (Byte)p_color.G;                 sourceRowX1[i + 2] = (Byte)p_color.B;                 sourceRowX2[i] = (Byte)p_color.R;                 sourceRowX2[i + 1] = (Byte)p_color.G;                 sourceRowX2[i + 2] = (Byte)p_color.B;             }         }         finally         {             if (bdActual != null)             {                 p_img.UnlockBits(bdActual);             }         }     } }

Code #3 - Trim Image whitespaces

private Bitmap CropImageWhitespaces(Bitmap p_img, bool p_isBlackWhitespace)
{
    Rectangle rect = new Rectangle();
    unsafe
    {
        BitmapData bdActual = null;
        try
        {
            int width = p_img.Width;
            int height = p_img.Height;

            bdActual = p_img.LockBits(new Rectangle(0, 0, width, height), System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageLockMode.ReadOnly, PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb);
            Int32 i;
            Int32 pSize = 3;
            Byte whiteTrashold = (Byte)240;
            Byte blackTrashold = (Byte)10;
            Byte* sourceRow;

            Int32 minX = width;
            Int32 maxX = 0;
            Int32 minY = height;
            Int32 maxY = 0;
            bool isWhitepace;

            for (Int32 _y = 0; _y < height; ++_y)             {                 sourceRow = (Byte*)bdActual.Scan0 + (_y * bdActual.Stride);                 for (Int32 _x = 0; _x < width; ++_x)                 {                     i = _x * pSize;                     isWhitepace =                         (p_isBlackWhitespace && sourceRow[i] <= blackTrashold && sourceRow[i + 1] <= blackTrashold && sourceRow[i + 2] <= blackTrashold)                         ||                         (!p_isBlackWhitespace && sourceRow[i] >= whiteTrashold && sourceRow[i + 1] >= whiteTrashold && sourceRow[i + 2] >= whiteTrashold);

                    if (isWhitepace == false)
                    {
                        // NO whitespace!!!
                        minX = Math.Min(_x, minX);
                        maxX = Math.Max(_x, maxX);

                        minY = Math.Min(_y, minY);
                        maxY = Math.Max(_y, maxY);
                    }
                }
            }

            rect.X = minX;
            rect.Y = minY;
            rect.Width = maxX - minX;
            rect.Height = maxY - minY;
        }
        finally
        {
            if (bdActual != null)
            {
                p_img.UnlockBits(bdActual);
            }
        }
    }

    return p_img.Clone(rect, p_img.PixelFormat);
}

I hope it will be helpful for you.
this code if fast and easy to use.

C# | check if program/application is installed

2010-09-01T14:22:00.000+03:00

I searched for a code that getting the list of installed application/programs on my windows pc, but the result wat not satisfying.

I saw that the list of installed programs that i find is NOT like the "Add-Remove Programs" list!!!

The solution is to search for 3 places in registry:

1. SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall inside CurrentUser

2. SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall inside LocalMachine

3. SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall in LocalMachine
And this is my solution...

The Code:

public static bool IsApplictionInstalled(string p_name)
{
    string displayName;
    RegistryKey key;

    // search in: CurrentUser
    key = Registry.CurrentUser.OpenSubKey(@"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall");
    foreach (String keyName in key.GetSubKeyNames())
    {
        RegistryKey subkey = key.OpenSubKey(keyName);
        displayName = subkey.GetValue("DisplayName") as string;
        if (p_name.Equals(displayName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) == true)
        {
            return true;
        }
    }

    // search in: LocalMachine_32
    key = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(@"SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall");
    foreach (String keyName in key.GetSubKeyNames())
    {
        RegistryKey subkey = key.OpenSubKey(keyName);
        displayName = subkey.GetValue("DisplayName") as string;
        if (p_name.Equals(displayName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) == true)
        {
            return true;
        }
    }

    // search in: LocalMachine_64
    key = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey(@"SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall");
    foreach (String keyName in key.GetSubKeyNames())
    {
        RegistryKey subkey = key.OpenSubKey(keyName);
        displayName = subkey.GetValue("DisplayName") as string;
        if (p_name.Equals(displayName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) == true)
        {
            return true;
        }
    }

    // NOT FOUND
    return false;
}

This is great for searching for installed / uninstall programs.
I would like for some comments...

C# / Asp.Net - Some string format...

2010-08-05T12:55:00.000+03:00

DateTime Format:
yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ss.fffffff ==> 2007-06-10T13:52:55

String format for bits:
int[] values = { 0, 0x111, 0xfffff, 0x8888, 0x22000022};
foreach (int v in values)
{
Console.WriteLine("~0x{0:x8} = 0x{1:x8}", v, ~v);
}
Output:
~0x00000000 = 0xffffffff
~0x00000111 = 0xfffffeee
~0x000fffff = 0xfff00000
~0x00008888 = 0xffff7777
~0x22000022 = 0xddffffdd

String format for double:
// just two decimal places
String.Format("{0:0.00}", 123.4567); // "123.46"
String.Format("{0:0.00}", 123.4); // "123.40"
String.Format("{0:0.00}", 123.0); // "123.00"

// max. two decimal places
String.Format("{0:0.##}", 123.4567); // "123.46"
String.Format("{0:0.##}", 123.4); // "123.4"
String.Format("{0:0.##}", 123.0); // "123"

// at least two digits before decimal point
String.Format("{0:00.0}", 123.4567); // "123.5"
String.Format("{0:00.0}", 23.4567); // "23.5"
String.Format("{0:00.0}", 3.4567); // "03.5"
String.Format("{0:00.0}", -3.4567); // "-03.5"

// Thousands separator
String.Format("{0:0,0.0}", 12345.67); // "12,345.7"
String.Format("{0:0,0}", 12345.67); // "12,346"

// formatted a zero (of double type)
String.Format("{0:0.0}", 0.0); // "0.0"
String.Format("{0:0.#}", 0.0); // "0"
String.Format("{0:#.0}", 0.0); // ".0"
String.Format("{0:#.#}", 0.0); // ""

// Align numbers with spaces
String.Format("{0,10:0.0}", 123.4567); // " 123.5"
String.Format("{0,-10:0.0}", 123.4567); // "123.5 "
String.Format("{0,10:0.0}", -123.4567); // " -123.5"
String.Format("{0,-10:0.0}", -123.4567); // "-123.5 "

// Custom formatting for negative numbers and zero
String.Format("{0:0.00;minus 0.00;zero}", 123.4567); // "123.46"
String.Format("{0:0.00;minus 0.00;zero}", -123.4567); // "minus 123.46"
String.Format("{0:0.00;minus 0.00;zero}", 0.0); // "zero"

// Other
String.Format("{0:my number is 0.0}", 12.3); // "my number is 12.3"
String.Format("{0:0aaa.bbb0}", 12.3); // "12aaa.bbb3"

lwuit | j2me link control (component)

2010-06-22T16:11:00.000+03:00

Here is an implemantation of a LINK component for the LWUIT enviroment under J2ME (Java ME).
This code creates a lwuit link component based on the lwuit button which not have a border and is transparent! also have an appropriate color (blue) and font style (underline).
hope it is helpful:

code example:

Button btn = new Button("LINK1");
//btn.getStyle().setBorder(Border.createEmpty());
btn.getUnselectedStyle().setBorder(Border.createEmpty());
btn.getSelectedStyle().setBorder(Border.createEmpty());

//btn.getStyle().setBgTransparency(100);
btn.getUnselectedStyle().setBgTransparency(100);
btn.getSelectedStyle().setBgTransparency(100);

//btn.getStyle().setFont(Font.createSystemFont(Font.FACE_SYSTEM, Font.STYLE_UNDERLINED, Font.SIZE_MEDIUM));
btn.getUnselectedStyle().setFont(Font.createSystemFont(Font.FACE_SYSTEM, Font.STYLE_UNDERLINED, Font.SIZE_MEDIUM));
btn.getSelectedStyle().setFont(Font.createSystemFont(Font.FACE_SYSTEM, Font.STYLE_UNDERLINED | Font.STYLE_BOLD, Font.SIZE_MEDIUM));

//btn.getStyle().setFgColor(0x0000ff);
btn.getUnselectedStyle().setFgColor(0x0000ff);
btn.getSelectedStyle().setFgColor(0x0000ff);

Enjoy!

J2ME | read BlackBerry device name, device id (under MIDP)

2010-05-23T18:27:00.002+03:00

Hello to all.

I searched the web and not found any implemantaion of reading device name or device id using J2ME MIDP for blackberry.

There exists an RIM api: "net.rim.device.api.system.DeviceInfo.getDeviceName()" which allow you to read the blackberry device information, but on when creating a global application for all MIDP devices, this api will not work for other devices like Sony-Ericsson, NOKIA, Samsung, Motorola, HTC and so...

The solution is to dynamicly load an outer JAR (dynamic library = dll) only when a blackberry device detected and read all data.
NOTE: if we will access to this library (JAR) without validating the RIM device, an excaption will be thrown!!

So, the solution is:
Step 1:

Create a new project: Mobile Class Library.
Name it: BlackberryInfo

Step 2:

create new Class named: DeviceInfo
with the following code:

Code for step 2:

package BlackberryInfo;

public class DeviceInfo
{
   static public String getDeviceName()
   {
      return net.rim.device.api.system.DeviceInfo.getDeviceName();
   }

   static public String getManufacturerName()
   {
      return net.rim.device.api.system.DeviceInfo.getManufacturerName();
   }

   static public int getDeviceId()
   {
      return net.rim.device.api.system.DeviceInfo.getDeviceId();
   }

   static public String getPlatformVersion()
   {
      return net.rim.device.api.system.DeviceInfo.getPlatformVersion();
   }
}

Step 3:

Build project and get JAR and JAD named: BlackberryInfo.jar
Note: build this JAR using Blackberry BlackBerry JDE (I used 5.0.0) (BlackBerry JDE downloads)
if you want, i can upload this library to the blog...

Step 4:

In your application (J2ME MIDP), just add BlackberryInfo.jar as library.

Step 5:

Now, all you have to do, is just to validate that this is RIM Blackberry device, and the read all device info.

Code for step 5:

static public boolean isBlackberryPlatform()
{
    try
    {
        Class.forName("net.rim.blackberry.api.browser.Browser");
        return true;
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        return false;
    }
}

// some func for read device information (device name, device id, device
if (isBlackberryPlatform() == true)
{
            System.out.println("Blackberry platform:");
            System.out.println(BlackberryInfo.DeviceInfo.getDeviceName());
            System.out.println(BlackberryInfo.DeviceInfo.getManufacturerName());
            System.out.println(BlackberryInfo.DeviceInfo.getPlatformVersion());
            System.out.println(BlackberryInfo.DeviceInfo.getDeviceId() + "");
}

Notice that, the JAR is loaded only when trying to access it, so other devices expect RIM blackberry will NOT get to this line so they won't try to load unavailable api of rim blackberry.

reference to DeviceInfo implemantation (5.0.0)
http://www.blackberry.com/developers/docs/5.0.0api/net/rim/device/api/system/DeviceInfo.html

hope i could help someone outthere...
p.s.
this method can work for every OUTER/UNKNOWN API in J2ME.

J2ME | determine BlackBerry device (OS)

2010-05-17T15:00:00.001+03:00

Here is a code for determine whether a J2ME application is running over Blackberry device.

The idea is to check for a class that exists only in Blackberry platform and not on J2ME MIDP Operation system.
here I choose to determine using "net.rim.blackberry.api.browser.Browser" which exists only in Blackberry OS (NOT in other OSs).

The code using Class.forClass method (link) which returns the Class object associated with the class or interface with the given string name. if the class exists (so we in Blackberry) the method return an object, otherwise throws an exception.

here is a simple code:

static public boolean isBlackberryPlatform()
{
        try
        {
            Class.forName("net.rim.blackberry.api.browser.Browser");
            return true;
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            return false;
        }
}

enjoy, and post replies...

J2ME | identify MIDP runner over Android OS

2010-05-17T14:30:00.001+03:00

Here is a good code for determine whether a J2ME application is running over MIDP runner over Android OS.

The idea is to check for a class that exists only in Android platform and not on J2ME MIDP Operaion system.
here I choose to determine using "android.Manifest" which exists in Android OS and NOT in other OSs.

The code using Class.forClass method (link) which returns the Class object associated with the class or interface with the given string name. if the class exists (so we in Android) the method return an object, otherwise throws an exception.

here is a simple code:

static public boolean isAndroidPlatform()
{
        try
        {
            Class.forName("android.Manifest");
            return true;
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            return false;
        }
}

enjoy, and post replies...

xHTML | Align center table

2010-02-18T16:16:00.000+02:00

After hours of searching and checking, the following code makes your table
to align center of the screen.
This code tested and working on some WAP xHTML (MP) devices.

The first code should set table's margin as the following:
table
{
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
}

now, insert your table in div element:
<div style="text-align: center;">
  <table>
  ...
  </table>
</div>

Enjoy.
Ask question if needed...

Javascript | clear input file value = file url

2010-01-31T15:57:00.000+02:00

Included javascript function for clearing INPUT FILE contents!
I did it for disable uploading NON excel file (.xls).
(a message should be include...)

The CODE for ASP.NET:

<asp:FileUpload ID="txtFile" runat="server"
Enabled="true"
onchange="if (this.value.endsWith('.xls') == false) { this.parentNode.innerHTML = this.parentNode.innerHTML; }" />

The CODE HTML:

Enjoy...
:)