Creating a New Handler Description File

To create a new HDF, double-click the HDF Editor icon within the RoboHelp Tools tab and select the “Create…” option in the first dialog box. After you name it, the New Handler dialog box (Figure 3) displays so that you can specify the initial parameters for the handler.

Figure 3. The New Handler dialog box

This dialog box is mechanically simple. However, it isn’t obvious which option to use and help doesn’t explain why you must choose one option over another. In brief:

• The Select handler transform entry point file setting is the file that performs the export or import function. (The term, handler transform entry point file, is so unusual that it seems to have a specific meaning but it’s just the Macromedia term for the file that performs the import or export.)
• The Handler Type setting specifies the function of the handler. Your selection determines the options available when you define the General and Advanced settings for the individual handlers.

• The Handler Engine Type setting specifies the kind of program that the handler transform file uses. The options are:

  • XSL – An XSL file compatible with Microsoft’s XML (MSXML) parser (For a description, see An Overview of MSXML 4.0 by Steven Livingstone, from June 4, 2002, at www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/06/05/msxml4.html.)
  • BAT/EXE – A batch file or executable file (Yes, I really mean the MS-DOS batch files. For information on batch file syntax, find a DOS manual or use the online reference at goforit.unk.edu/msdos/msdos18.htm.)
  • DLL – A DLL file

Two interesting points about these options:

• There are no technical requirements that dictate your choice of engine type. You can create whichever type you want.
• The DLL and EXE options require programming skills. The XSL and BAT options do not require programming skills, but they require some technical skill; they make it possible for technically-oriented technical communicators to create handlers.

After you finish these entries, RoboHelp returns to the Handler Description File Editor dialog box, shown in Figure 4, where you can begin creating the handlers.

Figure 4. The Handler Description File Editor (ready to create a new handler)

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