by RRKSS (1 Submission)
Category: Windows API Call/Explanation
Compatability: Visual Basic 5.0
Difficulty: Advanced
Date Added: Wed 3rd February 2021
Rating: 
(3 Votes)
This article uses the SHGetFolderPath API to find the Application Data Folder In "C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\" so you can save program data files and allow limited users in windows xp to use you program easier.
VBcodersSince the SHGetFolderPath API is not in the api viewer here are the declarations you need.
Declare Function SHGetFolderPath Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "SHGetFolderPathA" (ByVal hwndOwner As Long, ByVal nFolder As Long, ByVal hToken As Long, ByVal dwFlags As Long, ByVal lpszPath As String) As Long
Public Const CSIDL_APPDATA = &H1A
Public Const SHGFP_TYPE_CURRENT = 0
Public Const SHGFP_TYPE_DEFAULT = 1
Public DataFolder as String
Add a module to your project and copy and paste those declarations into the module. Now create a function called GetDataFolder and paste this code into it.
Public Function GetDataFolder()
On Error Goto GenericFolder
Dim ReturnVal as long
Dim PathName as long
pathname = Space(260)
retval = SHGetFolderPath(Form1.hWnd, CSIDL_APPDATA, 0, SHGFP_TYPE_CURRENT, pathname)
pathname = Left(pathname, InStr(pathname, vbNullChar) - 1)
DataFolder = PathName
exit function
GenericFolder:
'Since Windows XP\2000 is not installed we don't have this api so just use the App.path
if err.number = 453 then
datafolder = app.path
end if
end function
With that code you should be able to make your programs more XP compatible and still be able to run it on windows 9x. Please leave your comments and vote.
