A real challenge . . . customizing programs without the source code
Author
I''ve recently written a program that adds some new functionality to an existing off the shelf accounting program. I have no access to the source code of the accounting program. But, by using windows hooks within a DLL I was able to trigger the execution of my program when the user clicked on certain buttons within the accounting program. So, it appears to the user like I have actually modified the original program.
I would like to take this to the next level, and add my own buttons/controls to the screen of the accounting program. I''ve used functions like SetWindowsText, to change the text of another windows title bar, and FlashWindowsEx to flash another window. But, is there any way to actually add buttons/controls/menu items to the accounting program screens? I know this sounds kind of crazy, but it never hurts to ask.
The other approach I thought to take, would be to create my own window that anchors itself to the accounting program window, and place all the buttons/controls inside of it.
Any suggestions, or even crazy far fetched ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Chris
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Sounds interesting! 
Do you reckon there''s a way to get access to the variables of another application. I mean basically ''kidnap'' its memory?
Do you reckon there''s a way to get access to the variables of another application. I mean basically ''kidnap'' its memory?
If you can get a pointer to the memory, sure. But that could be a bit difficult. Not posative though, perhaps there is an easy way that I am not aware of.
Alex Broadwin
A-Tronic Software & Design
-----
"if you fail in life, you were destined to fail. If you suceed in life, call me."
"The answer is out there."
"Please help, I''m using Windows!"
Alex Broadwin
A-Tronic Software & Design
-----
"if you fail in life, you were destined to fail. If you suceed in life, call me."
"The answer is out there."
"Please help, I''m using Windows!"
Author
Actually got a suggestion from someone on wwwCodeProject.com forum. A product call Resource Hacker does exactly what I wanted. You can download it at:
http://www.rpi.net.au/~ajohnson/resourcehacker/
It''s cool. Worth checking out.
Chris
In the mood for a little Fun & Games?
Check out www.SunAndGames.com
Home of Lost Enticer
http://www.rpi.net.au/~ajohnson/resourcehacker/
It''s cool. Worth checking out.
Chris
In the mood for a little Fun & Games?
Check out www.SunAndGames.com
Home of Lost Enticer
i was thinking, get the handle of the application and try using a CreateWindow() call on it for the buttons...
CreateProcess( ... DEBUG_PROCESS ... )
I would expect that you now have full control over it.
I would expect that you now have full control over it.
A pointer in the address space of another process would be quite meaningless inside the address space of the modifying process. Instead one has to "inject" code into the other process. There are a few hacks for injecting dll''s into other processes - search for Jeff Richter''s "TINJLIB" - A similar but different method is used by the window spy utility at catch22.uk.net. And just today I read something in one of the microsoft newsgroups regarding subclassing a hooked window - here''s the gist:
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To subclass a control with a wndProc from a DLL loaded in a _different_ process space
Inject your DLL into the other process space using SetWindowsHook to install a WH_GETMESSAGE hook.
Then post a WM_NULL to a window known to exist in the process (in fact thread) that you wish to manipulate.
Once your hook proc gets invoked you install the subclass proc using SetWindowLong.
Do not remove the hook before unwinding the subclass too,
or you will cause the app to fault when your dll gets unloaded from its memory space.
If you need to remove the hook without unloading the DLL, have the DLL execute LoadModule on itself first.
(no elaboration given)
---------------------------
Once you''ve subclassed the other window you might be able to add stuff to WM_CREATE etal.
If there''s a will there''s a way.
---------------------------
To subclass a control with a wndProc from a DLL loaded in a _different_ process space
Inject your DLL into the other process space using SetWindowsHook to install a WH_GETMESSAGE hook.
Then post a WM_NULL to a window known to exist in the process (in fact thread) that you wish to manipulate.
Once your hook proc gets invoked you install the subclass proc using SetWindowLong.
Do not remove the hook before unwinding the subclass too,
or you will cause the app to fault when your dll gets unloaded from its memory space.
If you need to remove the hook without unloading the DLL, have the DLL execute LoadModule on itself first.
(no elaboration given)
---------------------------
Once you''ve subclassed the other window you might be able to add stuff to WM_CREATE etal.
If there''s a will there''s a way.
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