Tcc.CTC.problem.txt - 05 Dec 2004 - Rodney Hills M1301

Re:{MERG] Tcc V1.4 Save-CTC issue

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/merg/files/ 
Layout%20controls/Tcc/Tcc.CTC.problem.txt

This document has two parts:

PART 1 - WARNING     - as per MERg e-group posting.

PART 2 - WORKAROUNDS - Tcc Usage recommendations.


PART 1 - WARNING 
----------------

This is aimed at the subset of members that are 
actually using Howard Amos's Tcc software.

By now you have likely migrated from earlier versions
to the V1.4 "general release version" that was loaded
to the MERG yahoo-group site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/merg/files/ 
Layout%20controls/Tcc/tcc.jar
Tcc V1.5  353 KB howard_amos 10/17/2004 

As per various postings dated 18,19,20 Oct 2004 this is
in fact the "released" V1.4, following beta testing.


Unfortunately a particular V1.4 weakness was NOT picked
up by the beta testing.

This relates to the ability to save CTC panel data as
text (.ctc file).
In particular, any track sections that are part of a 
"block" are omitted from the saved .ctc file.

This will probably only be noticed should you choose
to re-input CTC data from a saved .ctc file.

Most people are probably content having their CTC data
automatically saved, from one Tcc run to the next,
in the standard binary .tcp file.

Unless, like me, you want to fine-tune CTC parameters
(e.g. gridcolour, size, title, etc), you won't realise
that the problem exists.

That is, until some point in the future, when you will
HAVE to "export" all your Tcc data (CTCs, network-defs,
etc) in order to migrate to the next Tcc version.
This will be required because the binary .tcp file
will not be forward-portable, see Howard A's "Futures"
topic in the Tcc V1.4 Help menu, History page.

This problem is still under investigation, but all users
of Tcc should review the following PART 2 information 
for important Tcc usage recommendations that can be
adopted NOW and will hopefully minimise the impact of
this problem on individual Tcc users and will protect
their investments in Tcc data.


PART 2 - WORKAROUNDS 
--------------------

Within the context of only V1.4 being available to the user (a
likely situation), "prevention is better than cure", i.e. there
is a simple way of "priming" Tcc V1.4 so that it will produce
correct .ctc/.tcg files, by initially opening a "primer" .ctc
file (which contains one block in each CTc panel) as input.
Once that's done, said blocks can be deleted, but the in-Tcc
environment still remains "reset".

If the user "primes" Tcc before investing much work in creating
elaborate CTC panels, he/she will be able to save .ctc/.tcg
correctly subsequently.

However...

If there is already track block investment locked into 
existing .tcp files( e.g. ha1.tcp):
  a. Correct .ctc/.tcg files can be generated by utilising
     Tcc V1.3 one-off. These can then be opened into V1.4.
     Subsequent save .ctc/.tcg under V1.4 will be correct.
     Essentially the same as the "primer" approach, but with
     a "custom" .ctc file as input.
  or
  b. Correct .ctc/.tcg files can be generated by utilising
     a second V1.4 code modification that I have written.
  or
  c. manually key the BLOCK B items into an incomplete .ctc
     file and then open it back into Tcc - assuming you can
     find out the format of BLOCK B entries in the .ctc file!

Option a. does sound like it's the most straightforward.

As there are probably only a relative few Tcc users affected,
I'm sure that Howard Amos or myself could, if neccessary,
help by carrying out the necessary v1.3 "generate(s)" of
complete "custom" .ctc files from the user's V1.4 .tcp file.

If starting afresh....

Below is the listing of a tested primer.ctc
(one vertical track element in 1,1 of each
 CTC1-4 panel, each of which is in a block)

Extract it to a file and open it before
starting work creating your own CTc panel
data.
CTC panel size will be reset to 10x10 cells,
expand again as necessary.

WARNING - Any existing CTC panel data will
be lost.

Check all is OK by trying Save as of .ctc
after you have removed the primer track
elements and have added some of your own.

NOTE 
To remove a track element from a block:
(e.g. those defined by "primer" .ctc file)
 To start with, track element will be black;
 Select Track / "B";
 Click on Title bar of CTCx panel;
 All track elements in blocks go blue; 
 Click on track element, should go red;
 Click same element again, should go black;
 You have now removed element from block;
 Repeat for other element(s), other panels;
Next, remove element(s) from panel:
 Holding down Shift, left-click on element;
 Repeat for other element(s), other panels;
Can check all is "clean" by Save As .ctc
Should have no elements or blocks.
next, add some elements and blocks or your 
own and Save As .ctc and inspect the file.

At end of session all CTC data, blocks
will be "checkpointed" in the standard
associated .tcp file and will be picked
up at the next Tcc session.
Save As .ctc should continue to work
correctly as furtherpanel mods are made.
 
Save lines below as: primer.ctc

CTC 1 "CTC1"
 FONT small 0 Arial 0.16666666666666666
 FONT medium 0 Arial 0.25
 FONT large 0 Arial 0.3333333333333333
DEFCOLOUR C0 0
BLOCK null
BLOCK B1
LINECOLOUR C0
CELL 1,1 LINE 22
CTC 2 "CTC2"
 FONT small 0 Arial 0.16666666666666666
 FONT medium 0 Arial 0.25
 FONT large 0 Arial 0.3333333333333333
 size 10,10
DEFCOLOUR C0 0
BLOCK null
BLOCK B1
CELL 1,1 LINE 22
CTC 3 "CTC3"
 FONT small 0 Arial 0.16666666666666666
 FONT medium 0 Arial 0.25
 FONT large 0 Arial 0.3333333333333333
 size 10,10
DEFCOLOUR C0 0
BLOCK null
BLOCK B1
CELL 1,1 LINE 22
CTC 4 "CTC4"
 FONT small 0 Arial 0.16666666666666666
 FONT medium 0 Arial 0.25
 FONT large 0 Arial 0.3333333333333333
 size 10,10
DEFCOLOUR C0 0
BLOCK null
BLOCK B1
CELL 1,1 LINE 22