pp_eztrial1()

Runs the EZ Trial™ algorithm

Applies to:

Win32, Win64

Syntax-VB:

Declare Function pp_eztrial1(ByVal file As String, ByVal password As String, ByRef errorcode As Long, ByRef lfhandle As Long) As Long

Syntax-C:

LONG pp_eztrial1(LPSTR file, LPSTR password, LPLONG errorcode, LPLONG lfhandle)

Arguments:

<file> is the absolute path to the master License File

<password> is the License File password

<errorcode> is a buffer to place an error code. Use NULL pointer to ignore this parameter.

<lfhandle> is a buffer to place the License File handle. Use NULL pointer for this parameter if you choose not to call any of the other PLUS functions requiring the handle. IMPORTANT: Any buffer value passed by reference must be initialized to 0 the first time this function is called.

Returns:

A status flag indicating the mode of the application. If PP_FAILURE [0] is returned, a reason code will be returned in <errorcode>. Refer to pp_errorstr() for a table of possible error codes and their meaning. The following is a list of valid status flags that can be returned:

0 - General error occurred, refer to <errorcode>

1 - Retail application; all tests passed

2 - Valid demo that has not expired

3 - Retail application; soft/hardware binding failed

4 - Expired demo

5 - Demo but clock has been turned back

6 - Valid product in Periodic expiration mode

7 - Floating Network License has been exceeded

Description:

This function processes the EZ Trial™ algorithm and returns a status flag. A flowchart of the steps taken in this algorithm can be found in the EZ Trial topic under Concepts & Definitions chapter.

When using EZTrial with Software Binding disabled the EZTrial function will still create and check for aliases while in demo mode.

When the value of <lfhandle> is 0, the License File is opened and closed by this function. If you pass a Long Integer buffer, this function will leave the License File open and will return a handle to it through the <lfhandle> parameter. You must then close the License file using the function pp_lfclose().

CAUTION
Any Long Integer buffer value passed by reference in <lfhandle> parameter must be initialized to 0 the FIRST time this function is called. Otherwise, this function assumes a valid pointer to a License File handle and may cause an application violation error.

Passing a NULL Pointer in Visual Basic

Visual Basic does not have an easy way to pass a NULL pointer to a function such as this one. It is VERY important to pass a NULL pointer as the last parameter when not using the lfhandle by other library functions. Passing a 0 in VB will not pass a NULL pointer, but rather a pointer to a value of 0, which instructs this function to keep the lfhandle open, thus reserving memory that will never be freed. To pass a null pointer using VB, change the declare statement to the following (change ByRef to ByVal) and pass a 0 for the last two parameters:

Declare Function pp_eztrial1(ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal filename As String, ByVal password As String, ByVal flags As Long, ByVal errorcode As Long, ByVal lfhandle As Long) As Long

Example:

Dim errorcode as Long, result As Long

result=pp_eztrial1(App.Path & "\license.ini", "password", errorcode, 0)

Select Case result

Case 0:

' error opening file

MsgBox "File Error #" & errorcode

Case 1:

Case 6:

' do nothing, this is a retail product

' (even if it is in Periodic expiration mode)

Case 2:

' this is a demo that hasn't expired

' display a nag message and turn off one menu

MsgBox "This is a demo"

Main_Form.mnuOptions.Enabled = False

Case 3:

' retail application failed software binding

MsgBox "Error 3 - Security violation"

End

Case 4:

' demo that has expired

MsgBox "This product has expired"

End

Case 5:

' clock has been turned back on demo

MsgBox "Clock has been turned back. Please fix."

End

End Select