Using Visual LISP Documentation

AutoLISP Developer's Guide > Introduction >

The AutoLISP Developer's Guide explains how to use the Visual LISP IDE and how to build and run AutoLISP applications. This guide also introduces the constructs of the AutoLISP language.

All users should check the AutoCAD Readme file for notices concerning AutoLISP and Visual LISP. The Readme file is in the AutoCAD Help directory and contains information that became available too late to be included in this manual.

If you have developed AutoLISP applications in earlier releases of AutoCAD, it is important that you refer to the Readme file for information on AutoLISP changes that may affect your applications.

Additional AutoLISP and Visual LISP manuals are available online through the Visual LISP and AutoCAD Help menus:

The AutoLISP Reference describes every AutoLISP function and provides examples. Refer to the AutoLISP Reference when you need to look up the syntax of a function or determine what a function returns.
The AutoLISP Tutorial contains step-by-step instructions guiding you toward building a working Visual LISP application.

This AutoLISP Developer's Guide assumes you have some experience with AutoCAD and have basic user-level skills with Microsoft^. Windows^.. Prior experience with AutoLISP is not required.

The AutoLISP Developer's Guide is divided into the following sections:

Using the Visual LISP Environment describes how to use VLISP to develop and test AutoLISP programs.
Using the AutoLISP Language is a detailed guide describing the elements and structures of the AutoLISP language.
Working with Programmable Dialog Boxes describes how to design and implement dialog boxes in your AutoLISP applications.
Appendixes includes a function synopsis summarizing AutoLISP functions by category, information on AutoLISP error codes, and a summary of the environment and program options available in Visual LISP.

The following are a few guidelines to help you get the most out of the AutoLISP Developer's Guide:

Begin by reading chapter 1, Getting Started. This chapter tells you how to invoke VLISP from AutoCAD, identifies what you'll see when VLISP first starts, and describes how to load and run existing AutoLISP programs from VLISP. Chapter 1 introduces and briefly describes the windows you will be working with in the VLISP IDE. Use this chapter to orient yourself to the VLISP environment.
If you do not already know AutoLISP, read all of chapter 8, AutoLISP Basics, and at least browse chapters 9 and 10, Using AutoLISP to Communicate with AutoCAD and Using AutoLISP to Manipulate AutoCAD Objects, respectively. After that, you can either work through the tutorial or read more chapters in the AutoLISP Developer's Guide.
To search for a function that meets a particular programming need, refer to AutoLISP Function Synopsis, in this guide.

The following table summarizes the organization of this manual:

Chapter organization
Chapter	Title	Contents
1	Getting Started	Provides an orientation to Visual LISP.
2	Developing Programs with Visual LISP	Shows you how to use the VLISP text editor to enter AutoLISP program code, format the code, and check the code for AutoLISP syntax errors. Also shows you how to run the code you've developed from the VLISP editor window.
3	Debugging Programs	Shows you how to use VLISP to trace program execution, watch the value of variables change during program execution, see the sequence in which expressions are evaluated, and step through program execution one instruction at a time.
4	Building Applications	Introduces the VLISP file compiler and shows how you can use the VLISP Application Wizard to build standalone applications.
5	Maintaining Visual LISP Applications	Describes how to define VLISP projects and use them to simplify working with multi-file applications. This chapter also explains compiler optimization features, and how to use them in a project.
6	Working with ActiveX	Describes how to use ActiveX objects with VLISP, and how to access other applications through ActiveX.
7	Advanced Topics	Describes how to attach reactors to AutoCAD drawings and objects.
8	AutoLISP Basics	Introduces basic AutoLISP concepts, such as how to use expressions and variables, handle numbers and strings, display output, build lists, and define functions.
9	Using AutoLISP to Communicate with AutoCAD	Describes AutoLISP functions that you can use to issue AutoCAD commands and to interact with users in the AutoCAD environment.
10	Using AutoLISP to Manipulate AutoCAD Objects	Describes AutoLISP functions you can use to manipulate AutoCAD drawing entities, selection sets, extended data, and symbol tables.
11	Designing Dialog Boxes	Introduces the elements that make up dialog boxes. Explains DCL file structure and syntax, and presents AutoLISP and DCL code that defines and displays a sample dialog box.
12	Managing Dialog Boxes	Describes how to control dialog boxes with AutoLISP programs.
13	Programmable Dialog Box Reference	Lists and describes all the DCL tiles and their associated attributes, and summarizes the AutoLISP functions available tor work with programmable dialog boxes.