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xlslib - utility to create .xls files

$Id: README,v 1.3 2008/10/25 18:48:48 dhoerl Exp $

== HOME == The home for xlslib is located at:

http://xlslib.sourceforge.net/

Please see this web site for updates, documentation, and for submitting patches and bug reports.

Until we get the documentation sorted out, this archive contains "xlslibRefGuide.pdf", a PHP guide that can be used as well for the C/C++ version.

== COPYING == /* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

• This file is part of xlslib -- A multiplatform, C/C++ library
• for dynamic generation of Excel(TM) files.
• Copyright 2004-6 Ruben D. Gonzále. All Rights Reserved.
• Copyright 2008-2011 David Hoerl All Rights Reserved.
• Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are
• permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
• 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of

•   conditions and the following disclaimer.
  

• 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list

•   of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials
  

•   provided with the distribution.
  

• THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY David Hoerl ''AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
• WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
• FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL David Hoerl OR
• CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
• CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
• SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
• ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
• NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF
• ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • */

== CREDITS == This code was originally developed at Yeico S.A. de C.V. by Ruben D. Gonzalez and others. 0.2.5 and later enhanced by David Hoerl and Ger Hobbelt.

== OVERVIEW == xlslib permits programmatic creation of multi-sheet .xls files, which are then directly openable by MS Excel. This capability is useful when you need to save large data sets, perhaps with summary information, in a form that is easily viewable by others. The .xls format is as of Release 1.2 BIFF8. This format is documented in both the "Microsoft Excel97 Developer's Kit" [currently out of print but used copies can be obtained on Amazon], and the OpenOffice.org's "Microsoft Excel File Format".

== CONTENTS == The suite contains the xlslib library, and a test application (easily modifiable) that demonstrates various modes of creating spreadsheets.

There are three types of documentation: the source manual Manual.xls, which can be printed or just used for referece. Secondlu a pdf version of this name xlslibRefGuide.pdf. Finally, refer to the main.cpp file in the targets/test folder to see how to use the library. If you want to use this with a C app, then link in the library and include xlslib/xlslib.h.

The C interfaces are documented in that file. Essentially you create a worksheet, then use that object as the first parameter of subsequent calls. When done, you would then call the delete function. An example file is included in the test folder: main.c There is also a test file that uses the "C" interface.

== NOTES == With the conversion to BIFF8 in Release 1.2, addition formatting capabilies become available. Unfortunately, these are not listed in the existing pdf document so to find them you will need to look at the xlslib.h header file.

Important: the latest configure script does not seem to run using the Bash shell. If it appears to hang, then I suggest you run it with ksh (ie, "ksh ./configure"). This noticed on Apple's 10.6.1 (Snow Leopard).