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.

Understanding_SDS_compatibility
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