[Lazarus] Building help files: the nitty-gritty

[Žilvinas Ledas]

Hello,

On 2012-07-10 20:40, Mark Morgan Lloyd wrote:
>> But what is the source help format for CHM, and what tools
>> (help editor) do I use to edit that source format, and what tool do I
>> use to "compile" that source help format into the end result CHM file?
>> Also, how does my product know where to find LHelp (or whatever CHM
>> viewer I want to use)?
>
> [Nod] I suspect that we're not the only people asking for guidance.
>

fpc has chm "compiler" classes to make CHM files.
TChmProject is in chmfilewriter unit and TChmWriter is in chmwriter unit 
(both in packages\chm\src\).
And there even is a GUI app to make chm files somewhere in Lazarus or 
fpc examples :) I don't remember where exactly, because I did make my 
own chm help maker application (it took about a day using existing chm 
writing functionality) before I discovered that existing one. BTW I 
posted my chm maker (app with sources) about two years ago on this (or 
fpc) list ;)

Regarding LHelp - I myself package LHelp executable with the main app 
and help files so I know that LHelp is besides main app.
You can register your help format system-wide and install LHelp in a 
different place from your app - as with any other file viewer your app 
may need :)

Regards,
Žilvinas