by EladKarako (1 Submission)
Category: Windows API Call/Explanation
Difficulty: Advanced
Date Added: Wed 3rd February 2021
Rating: 
(2 Votes)
This is a bug-fixed version of the code to snap a program to the sides of the screen, and keep it is a preserved space other programs see as a "dead zone", so other windows can't expand to.
this is extremely useful in some cases.
important notice. fixed from SKoW's original post at
https://www.vbcoders.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=14562&lngWId=1
(original credit reserved for SKoW)
another thing to notice about is the fact that the measurement of the screen is not 100% accurate in this version. you may use the better way to find out taskbar's height in the following code: https://www.vbcoders.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=23892&lngWId=1
I will look at any suggestions written in comments area, considering a better lining with the screen's borders.
API Declarations'PUT IN A BLANK MODULE:
Private Declare Function SystemParametersInfo Lib "user32.dll" Alias "SystemParametersInfoA" (ByVal uAction As Long, ByVal uiParam As Long, pvParam As Any, ByVal fWinIni As Long) As Long
Public Enum DockTypes
DockLeft = 1
DockTop = 2
DockRight = 3
DockBottom = 4
End Enum
Public Type vbRECT ' use this To save old Window Positions
vbLeft As Long
vbTop As Long
vbWidth As Long
vbHeight As Long
End Type
Public Type RECT
Left As Long
Top As Long
Right As Long
Bottom As Long
End Type
Private Const SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE = &H2
Private Const SPI_GETWORKAREA = 48
Private Const SPI_SETWORKAREA = 47
Private vbFormOldRect As vbRECT
Private LastDock As DockTypes
Private DockAmount As Integer
Public Sub UnDockForm(ByRef vbForm As Form)
Dim Desktop As RECT
SystemParametersInfo SPI_GETWORKAREA, 0&, Desktop, 0&
DoEvents
With Desktop
Select Case LastDock
Case DockBottom
.Bottom = .Bottom + DockAmount
Case DockLeft
.Left = .Left - DockAmount
Case DockTop
.Top = .Top - DockAmount
Case DockRight
.Right = .Right + DockAmount
Case Else
Exit Sub
End Select
End With
vbForm.Move vbFormOldRect.vbLeft, vbFormOldRect.vbTop, vbFormOldRect.vbWidth, vbFormOldRect.vbHeight
SystemParametersInfo SPI_SETWORKAREA, 0&, Desktop, SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE
DoEvents
LastDock = 0
End Sub
Public Sub DockForm(ByRef vbForm As Form, DockPos As DockTypes)
If (LastDock <> 0) Then Call UnDockForm(vbForm)
vbFormOldRect.vbHeight = vbForm.Height
vbFormOldRect.vbLeft = vbForm.Left
vbFormOldRect.vbTop = vbForm.Top
vbFormOldRect.vbWidth = vbForm.Width
Dim Desktop As RECT
SystemParametersInfo SPI_GETWORKAREA, 0&, Desktop, 0&
DoEvents
Dim V As vbRECT
V = vbFormOldRect
Select Case DockPos
Case DockLeft
V.vbTop = (Desktop.Top * 15)
V.vbLeft = (Desktop.Left * 15)
V.vbHeight = (Desktop.Bottom * 15) - V.vbTop
Case DockRight
V.vbTop = (Desktop.Top * 15)
V.vbLeft = (Desktop.Right * 15) - V.vbWidth
V.vbHeight = (Desktop.Bottom * 15) - V.vbTop
Case DockBottom
V.vbTop = (Desktop.Bottom * 15) - V.vbHeight
V.vbLeft = (Desktop.Left * 15)
V.vbWidth = (Desktop.Right * 15) - V.vbLeft
Case DockTop
V.vbTop = (Desktop.Top * 15)
V.vbLeft = (Desktop.Left * 15)
V.vbWidth = (Desktop.Right * 15) - V.vbLeft
Case Else
Exit Sub
End Select
Select Case DockPos
Case DockBottom
DockAmount = (vbForm.Height / 15)
Desktop.Bottom = Desktop.Bottom - DockAmount
Case DockRight
DockAmount = (vbForm.Width / 15)
Desktop.Right = Desktop.Right - DockAmount
Case DockTop
DockAmount = (vbForm.Height / 15)
Desktop.Top = Desktop.Top + DockAmount
Case DockLeft
DockAmount = (vbForm.Width / 15)
Desktop.Left = Desktop.Left + DockAmount
End Select
SystemParametersInfo SPI_SETWORKAREA, 0&, Desktop, SPIF_SENDWININICHANGE
DoEvents
vbForm.Move V.vbLeft, V.vbTop, V.vbWidth, V.vbHeight
LastDock = DockPos
End Sub
VBcoders'TO USE IN YOU FORM (NO CONTROLS ADDING NEEDED)
Private Sub Form_Activate()
DockForm Me, DockRight
End Sub
Private Sub Form_Terminate()
UnDockForm Me
End Sub
