Shoutbox

Hey i have a question about the pluggin's that you can add to your MSN Plus. Firstly What programs do you use to make just a simple pluggin, and secondly how would i go about making this?
Probably a little more complex than anyone can sum up for me but i am very curious and interested so any info would be grait!!

Sk3tch!

You need to know a programming language and you need a compiler for that programming language, then you need to translate the headers from C into a programming language of your choice, and then write a DLL. There is no tool that would do it all automatically, you need to do it yourself.

lol.. oh ok,   well i guess i better hit the books then!

Thx DXtremz!

To make plugins you need a C++ compiler and, preferably, an IDE. By far, the most package is Visual C++ (Standard, Professional, Enterprise, it doesn't matter).

Plugins can also be made in VB, or any other language. However, Patchou's header for C++ has not yet been ported to other languages atm.

Now, I assume you will use C++, since this is the only option available for now. So, go to:
http://www.msgplus.net/index.php?view=plugins

Download MPPlugins.zip and there you have a sample project for VC++ 6 (which can be also converted to VS.Net).

Of course, you need to have some knowledge of C++. And some Win32 API programming would help you a lot (I don't mean to brag, but knowing some Win32 API programming has helped me a LOT to understand the structure of a plugin).

Now, I won't go into detail about how to create a simple plugin *exactly*. You have a sample plugin in the zip from above, which should be pretty self-explanatory (lots of comments ).

If you have any further questions post them here.

That would do it too. But you dont HAVE to use C++, (Although my choice is to use C++). Just pick a language you feel comfortable with, But in order to translate the headers you will need to know C++...unless someone else translates and distributes thier translation.

wow.. Thats very explanitory! Thanks a lot guys.. i downloaded the MPPlugins and im getting right to it!! ! Going to learn as i go i guess lol, but im hoping that i can make somthing useful!

thanks a Million!!

Sk3tch

where abouts can me find a free compiler and "IDEs" if any

are there any?

Depends on the language you want to write it in. As for C++ www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html is a really good one. There are others for C, and other languages, I suggest using google to search Free <Language> Compiler.

Yes, Dev-C++ is, indeed, a great one! I used to use it (wow that sounds strange ).
I think Microsoft is leading just because they know everything Windows does and can do, so they can take advantage of it. But who cares? A good compiler + IDE is a good compiler+IDE

I have both, MSVC++ and Dev-C++