Scratchpad system

Originally the scratchpad was a small text box on the main dialog. It was intended to provide a visible clipboard with which you could exchange text with the Arguments box. Later I had to think of a way of displaying error messages and help files. Normally error messages are displayed in message boxes, but these are unsatisfactory because you have to lose the message before you can interact with the programme. As I developed a method of dealing with these issues I realised I was re-inventing a multiple document interface (MDI) so I used Visual Basic to create one. Visual Basic has the advantage that much of the preparatory work has been done by Microsoft.

The MDI form implementation is more or less standard. The main difference is that it cannot be closed, only hidden. It will be closed when Toolbox closes, but you will not be prompted to save any changed files. When saving files you are always prompted to provide a file name.

Below I provide a full list of the features for the sake of completeness.