How can I create INF files?
Creating INF files (like the OS/2 Warp Frequently Asked Questions List you are reading now) is remarkably straightforward. All you need is the Information Presentation Facility Compiler (IPFC), part of the IBM Developer's Toolkit for OS/2 Warp Version 3 (available separately or as part of many development environments such as Borland C++ for OS/2, IBM C Set ++/2 and First Step, and CA-Realizer), and a text editor (like the Enhanced Editor included with OS/2 Warp). You can also purchase and/or download tools specifically designed to create OS/2 Warp help/INF files, including IBM Hyperwise, IPFE, and many more.
Online IPFC documentation is included with the Toolkit, but you may also wish to order the printed Information Presentation Facility Guide and Reference, IBM Publication No. S10G-6262. See (4.9) Books and Magazines for ordering instructions. Note that the Toolkit is part of the low cost OS/2 Developer's Connection CD-ROM. See (4.5) Technical Support for details.
If you wish to include illustrations in your INF file you can use any graphics software which can generate OS/2 Warp bitmaps and/or metafiles. (For example, you may create your illustration in IBM Works, paste the illustration into Picture Viewer, then save the illustration as a metafile. Both IBM Works and Picture Viewer are included with OS/2 Warp.) A screen capture utility [like PM Camera or Galleria, available from (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources] can also prove useful.
The May, 1994, issue of OS/2 Magazine contains an article written by Timothy F. Sipples on writing OS/2 help files. You may wish to consult this article for an introduction to the IPFC tag language.
Related information:
(3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources (4.5) Technical Support (4.9) Books and Magazines
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