ASTC

ASTC, developed by CprinGold Software, is a notable program in the Development Tools category, specifically under the IDE subcategory. The program's latest version, 1.50, is compatible with Windows XP, 7, 10, and 11. It's licensed as Shareware, and one can download it for assessment before purchasing. Other versions such as 1.5 are also available, which might cater to different preferences or requirements.

This powerful tool provides an easy way to enhance VB, VC++, C#, VB.NET, or other COM environment applications by adding four essential functionalities: Tray Icon ActiveX Control, Tray List ActiveX Control, Subclass ActiveX Control, and Balloon ActiveX Control.

Tray Icon ActiveX Control lets developers effortlessly add icons to the system tray without grappling with Shell_NotifyIcon API functions. With features like animation, tooltip assignments, and runtime changes, it ensures that applications have a professional feel with customizable icons and balloon tooltips, even on older systems like win9x. Additionally, it supports multiple icons in the system tray and dynamic popup menus tied to specific icon events.

TrayList ActiveX Control is particularly useful for obtaining comprehensive information about system tray icons and offers functionality to hide any specified icon.

Subclass ActiveX Control is a game-changer as it allows for the subclassing of any window possessing a handle/hwnd property, reducing the need for SetWindowLong API functions and minimizing crash risks associated with the subclass technique.

Balloon ActiveX Control assigns customizable balloon tooltips to specific controls or windows. It offers extensive customization options, including Balloon Style (Balloon or Rectangle) and colors. The feature-rich events such as BalloonHide, BalloonLeftClick, BalloonRightClick, and BalloonShow enhance user interactivity.

The ASTC 1.50 installer package provides sample code in various programming languages, including Vb6.0, VC++6.0, VB.Net, VC#.NET, and VJ#.NET, making it easier for developers to implement these controls in their projects.

Pros:

• Easy to integrate and use.
• Extensive support for various languages and environments.
• Comprehensive customization and control features.

Cons:

• Shareware license requires purchase after the trial.
• Limited to Windows OS only.

With the ability to free up time for developers by streamlining complex tasks, ASTC stands out as a valuable asset in any programmer's toolkit. Download it today to see how it can enhance your development process.

You may want to check out more software, such as Liquid XML Data Binder 2008, which might be related to ASTC.