String Resource Component

for C++ Builder

Here is the source code for a string resource component you can use instead of adding RC files with string tables to your project. Just compile and install the component and you are ready to drop one on the form. The Component can be used as a MRU list as well as a String Resource. There are only a few properties and functions and they are:

Published Properties
int	MruMax	Setting the max number of lines in the list if the component are used as an MRU list
bool	Sorted	Determines whether or not you want the strings in the list to be sorted
TStrings*	Strings	The actual container for your strings

Public Properties
int	Count	The number of lines in the list
String	RcString[int i]	Returns the line at int i position in the list the index is 0 based
String	Text	Return all strings in the list and the lines are separated by line breaks
String	Value[String name]	This one is used when the you are storing your string in the Name=Value format

Public Functions (used with the MRU list)
int	IndexOf(String str)	Find a certain string in the list and return the index. Return -1 if not found
void	AddMru(String str)	Insert a string at the front, remove any duplicates and reduce list to MruMax
void	SaveToFile(String file)	Save the file to a UFT8 encoded file
void	LoadFromFile(String file)	Load the file and expect to receive a UFT8 encoded file

When you use this component you can take advantage of all the features that comes with the VCL TStringList, such at using Name=Value pair in the list, just like it is done in an INI file, that way you can easily give each string resource a name and fetch it by property Value[String name].

You can use this source code as you see fit and at your own risk, as long as you don't publish it anywhere and as long as you don't claim to have written it. Links to this code page will be greatly appreciated.

The .h file:

#ifndef AjStringRCH
#define AjStringRCH
 
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
#include <SysUtils.hpp>
#include <Classes.hpp>
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
class PACKAGE TAjStringRC : public TComponent
{
private:
protected:
   int FMruMax;
   TStringList* FStrings;
 
   String __fastcall getValue( String name ){return FStrings->Values[name];}
   void   __fastcall setValue( String name, String Val );
   String __fastcall getRcString( int i ){return FStrings->Strings[i];}
   void   __fastcall setRcString( int i, String Val );
   String __fastcall getText(){return FStrings->Text;}
   void   __fastcall setText( String Val ){FStrings->Text = Val;}
   int    __fastcall getCount(){return FStrings->Count;}
   bool   __fastcall getSorted(){return FStrings->Sorted;}
   void   __fastcall setSorted( bool Val ){FStrings->Sorted = Val;};
   void   __fastcall setStrings( TStrings* Val ){FStrings->Assign( Val );};
   TStrings* __fastcall getStrings(){return FStrings;}
 
public:
   //=========================================
   __fastcall TAjStringRC(TComponent* Owner);
   __fastcall ~TAjStringRC();
   //=========================================
 
   int  __fastcall IndexOf( String str ){ return FStrings->IndexOf( str ); }
   void __fastcall AddMru( String str );
   void __fastcall SaveToFile(String file);
   void __fastcall LoadFromFile(String file);
 
   __property int    Count           = {read=getCount};
   __property String RcString[int i] = {read=getRcString, write=setRcString};
   __property String Text            = {read=getText,     write=setText};
   __property String Value[String n] = {read=getValue,    write=seValue};
 
__published:
   __property int        MruMax = {read=FMruMax,    write=FMruMax};
   __property bool       Sorted = {read=getSorted,  write=setSorted};
   __property TStrings* Strings = {read=getStrings, write=setStrings};
};
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
#endif

The .Cpp file:

#include <vcl.h>
 
#pragma hdrstop
 
#include "AjStringRC.h"
#pragma package(smart_init)
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
static inline void ValidCtrCheck(TAjStringRC *)
{
   new TAjStringRC(NULL);
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
namespace Ajstringrc
{
   void __fastcall PACKAGE Register()
   {
       TComponentClass classes[1] = {__classid(TAjStringRC)};
       RegisterComponents(L"AJ-Utils", classes, 0);
   }
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
__fastcall TAjStringRC::TAjStringRC(TComponent* Owner)
   : TComponent(Owner)
{
   FStrings = new TStringList();
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
__fastcall TAjStringRC::~TAjStringRC()
{
   delete FStrings;
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
void __fastcall TAjStringRC::AddMru( String str )
{
   int idx = IndexOf( str );
   if( idx == 0 ) // string is in the reight place
      return;
 
   if( idx > 0 )
      FStrings->Delete( idx );
 
   FStrings->Insert( 0, str );
 
   while( Count > FMruMax )
      FStrings->Delete( Count - 1 );
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
void __fastcall TAjStringRC::SaveToFile(String file)
{
   FStrings->SaveToFile( file, TEncoding::UTF8 );
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
void __fastcall TAjStringRC::LoadFromFile(String file)
{
   FStrings->LoadFromFile( file, TEncoding::UTF8 );
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
void __fastcall TAjStringRC::setValue( String name, String Val )
{
   FStrings->Values[name] = Val;
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
void __fastcall TAjStringRC::setRcString( int i, String Val )
{
   FStrings->Strings[i] = Val;
}
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------