Abstract: A computer software application includes multiple software components such as graphical control objects. A help editor receives context-sensitive help information associated with the graphical control objects. Using this help information as well as information about the graphical control objects, the help editor creates a header file and a map data structure. A help developer edits the header file and map data structure to produce a configuration of context-sensitive help functions for the computer software application. The help editor generates a source code header file and a source code map data structure according to the user-indicated configuration for integrating context-sensitive help functions into the computer software application.

Abstract: A dialog box help editor tracks changes to the graphical controls of dialog boxes of a computer software application to assist in the creation of context-sensitive help functions during development of the computer software application. The dialog box help editor receives a selection input for a dialog box of the computer software application. The dialog box help editor displays the selected dialog box. For the selected dialog box, the dialog box help editor determines whether any of the graphical controls of the selected dialog box have changed between the current version of the computer software application and an earlier version. In response to a change, the dialog box help editor highlights the graphical control in the displayed dialog box and provides explanatory information about the change to a user. The dialog box help editor updates a data structure that organizes information for a changed graphical control.

Abstract: A help editor tests context-sensitive help for graphical controls of dialog boxes of a computer software application without executing the computer software application. The help editor receives and manages a file containing context-sensitive help information text for particular graphical controls. The help editor creates a map of graphical control identifiers to associated help information identifiers. A temporary help file includes the map as well as the context-sensitive help information text. The help editor displays a dialog box of a computer software application. When a user selects a graphical control of the displayed dialog box, the help editor receives a help request. In response, the help editor passes to an operating system help display system a reference to the temporary help file. The operating system help display system causes to be displayed context-sensitive help information for the selected graphical control.

Abstract: A help editor is provided that allows a help writer to display and interact with dialog boxes with graphical control objects (e.g., a graphical button) while writing help functions. The help functions provide context-sensitive help for the graphical control objects for dialog boxes used in a computer software application. The help editor generates computer source code that allows help writers to test context-sensitive help functions without executing the computer software application they will be used in. The computer source code is used to coordinate help functionality between help writers and software developers during the creation of a computer software applications.