Visual Studio 2010, Help Compiler Output

Question

I have a little problem with the (html) Help Compiler in VS (more specifically its ouptut):

Unlike other tools, help compiler does not send its output to the Output Window, but instead to a Command Prompt window, which opens and closes instantly, even if errors have been found. This makes it almost impossible to see the output (and most importantly errors).

Any idea on how to make the system direct the Help Compiler output to the Output Window please?

Another problem is the not-so-good integration of the Help System with the IDE:

• The system does not automatically add - neither has an easy/efficient way to add on request - new help topics as you add new UI items (dialogs, menus, commands etc). Everything has to be done manually (make the .html topics yourself and edit the .hpp file).
• If a help topic (.html file) is changed, the help file won't be recompiled, although the topic is being included in the help project. You either have to update the .hpp file, or use the "Compile All" command to force a recompilation.

(I have the latest updates and patches)

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi

You are generating .CHM using hhc.exe?

This group is for help authoring so maybe you can ask in the coding group about capturing a command apps output.
I do this using win32 in Delphi but not sure how you do it in C#?
https://www.google.com.au/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=Run+command+application+and+capture+output

Now usually the help project will happily compile any change you make to the HTML files.
I can't explain why you have to tweak the HHP to make it compile. 
HHC.EXE is not that smart. Usually it simply kicks off the compiler.
You batch job could delete the target .CHM first and that would force a compile.

Back to you

Rob

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Rob Chandler Help MVP http://Helpware.net/ http://mshcmigrate.helpmvp.com/