ASP & vbScript ExpressionElements & Documentation v1.1

Release Notes
=============

Well, I finally had some free time to delve into the unknown territory
of the ExpressionElements.vtm file.  The current version is for IIS v4.0
I plan on adding on to this -- the installable components that come with
IIS; ServerObjects Component bundle; SAFileUp, and any other components
I find hanging around.  Thanks to Marjolein Katsma (http://hshelp.com/)
for the excelent PHP ExpressionElements file which I based mine off of.
I currently have no install program like Marjolein Katsma's excellent
php version.  I will work on getting one made up for one of the
following releases.  Because of this, make sure you backup your existing
ExpressionElements.vtm file.  The file is located in your Extensions
directory (ie c:\Program Files\Allaire\Homesite4.5\Extensions\). This
version now includes the wonderful script shortcut functionHelp v1.1a by
Per Soderlind.  See my notes on his script for help and tips using it.
Thanks for a great script Per!  If you have any requests or any
questions, please feel free to contact me at

bbbach@mindless.com
--Brent


Notes on Expression Builder
===========================
The following notes have been copied from Marjolein Katsma's information on
the expression builder:
  Expression Builder has been a part of ColdFusion Studio since version 3.
  This built-in function uses a source file, ExpressionElements.vtm,for its
  content.

  Curiously, HomeSite 3 was distributed with this same source file, but the
  Expression Builder tool was never there - until now: the maintenance
  release 4.01.

  The source file ExpressionElements.vtm that is distributed with both
  applications is geared to constructing CFML. But since it's a simple
  VTML file, I soon realized it would be possible to construct such files for
  other languages. (Marjolein Katsma - http://hshelp.com/mrspecial.html#ebphp)

My Notes:

The expression builder allows an *almost* visual interdev type of feel
to the way you edit files.  With Tag Insight available in the betas of
Homesite and Cold Fusion v4.5, this is taken even one step farther.  It
is fairly simple to use -- have function and tag insight turned on.  The
easiest way to use (should be compatable with Homesite & Cold Fusion
v4.01) is to right click on the document and choose "Insert Expression".
If you have the base install and have not modified the existing
ExpressionElements.vtm file, the expressions you will see are for
ColdFusion.  The one I have written replaces the ColdFusion expressions
with ASP and vbScript tags. 

With the betas of Homesite v4.5 and ColdFusion v4.5, Function Insight
allows you to type in an expression and you will get a popup of all the
requirments that are needed for that expression to work (ie from the
editor, type DateDiff( and it will give you the properties for the
DateDiff function in vbScript). 

This should work in Homesite v4.01 and ColdFusion v4.01 however if you
want access to the function insight, you need v4.5a2 at least.  If you
have modified your own copy of ExpressionElements.vtm, you may extract
this version and open it in the editor of your choice and copy out the
sections you wish to add to your existing ExpressionElements.vtm. 

Notes on functionHelp v1.1a
===========================

Per Soderlind wrote me way back when saying that he had a script that
would read the expressionelements.vtm file and allow you to assign a
hotkey that would look up and display the help file related to the
function you were closest to.  If you have any questions regarding this
file, please feel free to contact me or contact Per at per@soderlind.org
(http://soderlind.org/).  I found it easiest for me to remember when I
set the shortcut up to be ctrl-shift-h (help). Here are his notes from
the file itself:

  This script displays the help file / description for functions defined
  in the Extensions\ExpressionElements.vtm file. 

  Installation:
  Copy this file to your disk and assign a keyboard shortcut to it;
    Shift + F8 -> Script Shortcuts (HomeSite/CF Studio 4.5 RC 3 ->)

  Usage: 
  Click on a function and then hit your shortcut key.
  If there is a help file/description for the function in ExpressionElements.vtm, 
  it will be displayed in a browse window.

  Prerequisite:
  Cold Fusion functions: None - The default installation 
  PHP: Marjolein Katsmas Expression Builder for PHP (Slow due to extremely 
    large ExpressionElements.vtm file)
    http://hshelp.com/mrspecial.html#ebphp
  ASP/VBscript: Brent Bains Expression Builder for ASP/VBscript 
    http://www.midifiles.org/asp/

Install Notes
=============
Should be simple to use.  Make sure Homesite is closed first and I recommend
backing up the existing ExpressionElements.vtm.
1) Run the install program (asp_expression1.1.exe)
2) Install into your Homesite Directory (c:\Program Files\Homesite4.5\)
3) Start Homesite up.
To use the functionHelp v1.1a
4) Hit Shift-F8 -> Script Shortcuts.
   The script is installed in your homesite directory:
   Homesite4.5\Extensions\Addons\functionhelp.vbs
5) Enjoy!


Release History
===============
v1.1 release to the public on 11/23/99
	Fixed quite a few problems found both by Per Soderlind and myself.
	Added functions for ServerObjects ASPMail v3.x (more will be coming!)
	Added functionHelp v1.1a by Per Soderlind (per@soderlind.org)
v1.03 released to the public on 11/03/99
	Created a self installer (once again thanks to Marjolein Katsma)
	Fixed minor bugs in this readme and the ExpressionElements.vtm file.
v1.02 released to the public on 11/01/99
	Added several built in asp objects
	Added global.asa reference
	Made into self-extracting zip file
v1.00 released internally on 10/24/99
	Finished vbScript additions