Subject: Understanding SDS compatibility

The primary difference between ADS and SDS is that all SDS functions have an sds_ prefix, and ADS functions have a variety of prefixes, such as ads_, acad_, and acrx_. The exception is dialog-related SDS functions, which have a dlg_ prefix. CADdirect accepts either prefix. Other differences include the additional SDS functions listed in the following table.

SDS functions with no ADS equivalent

SDS function name	Description
sds_grclear	Clears all graphics from the drawing window; similar to the LISP (grclear) function.
sds_name_clear	Clears the entity name or selection set.
sds_name_equal	Verifies whether two entity names or selection sets are equal.
sds_name_nil	Verifies whether the entity name or selection set has been cleared.
sds_name_set	Copies one entity name or selection set to another drawing.
sds_pmtssget	Similar to the ads_ssget function, but allows you to display a prompt appropriate for the specific command, rather than the generic “Select object” prompt.
sds_point_set	Copies a point from one variable to another.
sds_progresspercent	Displays the percentage done in a progress bar.
sds_progressstart	Starts the progress bar.
sds_progressstop	Ends the progress bar.
sds_readaliasfile	Loads the PGP file into CADdirect.
sds_sendmessage	Sends a message to the CADdirect command line.
sds_swapscreen	Flips the off-screen device context to the display.

Some ADS functions are not supported in SDS, including: ads_arxload, ads_arxloaded, ads_arxunload, ads_ssgetx, ads_ssGetKwordCallbackPtr, ads_ssGetOtherCallbackPtr, adsw_acadMainWnd, and adsw_acadDocWnd.

SDS custom applications can be run automatically when the program starts.
You can add .dll files for SDS to a startup suite or use a script. For details, see CADdirect_starts.htm#XREF_77322_Running">Loading custom applications automatically when CADdirect starts.

For more information

• Read the online documentation for SDS functions.

• See the \CADdirect\Api\Sds folder, which contains the SDS include, header, and library files.

• See the \CADdirect\Api\Dcl folder, which contains the core DCL files.

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