README.md

Time🕒

A simple Windows application that displays the current local time.

The application utilizes optimized rendering techniques to ensure smooth updates and an aesthetically pleasing user interface.

Features

• Real-time display of the current time.

• Responsive design that adjusts font size and position based on the window size.

• Utilizes buffered graphics for improved performance and visual quality.

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Code Walkthrough

1. Class Declaration

Public Class Form1

This line defines a new class named Form1. In Windows Forms applications, a class represents a window or form.

2. Variable Declarations

Private Context As BufferedGraphicsContext
Private Buffer As BufferedGraphics
Private DisplayText As String
Private DisplayFont As New Font("Segoe UI", 12, FontStyle.Regular)
Private DisplayFontSize As Single
Private DisplayPosition As New Point(100, 0)

• Context: Manages the buffered graphics.
• Buffer: Holds the graphics that will be drawn to the screen.
• DisplayText: Stores the current time as a string.
• DisplayFont: Defines the font used to display the time.
• DisplayFontSize: Stores the size of the font, which will change based on the window size.
• DisplayPosition: Determines where the time will be drawn on the form.

3. Form Load Event

Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
    InitializeForm()
    InitializeBuffer()
    Timer1.Interval = 20
    Timer1.Enabled = True
    Debug.Print($"Program running... {Now.ToShortTimeString()}")
End Sub

• This method runs when the form loads.
• InitializeForm(): Sets up the form's appearance and properties.
• InitializeBuffer(): Prepares the graphics buffer.
• Timer1.Interval = 20: Sets the timer to tick every 20 milliseconds.
• Timer1.Enabled = True: Starts the timer, which triggers the Timer1_Tick event.
• Debug.Print: Outputs a message to the debug console.

4. Timer Tick Event

Private Sub Timer1_Tick(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
    DisplayText = Now.ToShortTimeString()
    Refresh() ' Calls OnPaint Sub
End Sub

• This method runs every time the timer ticks.
• DisplayText: Updates to the current time.
• Refresh(): Triggers the form to redraw itself, calling the OnPaint method.

5. Form Resize Event

Private Sub Form1_Resize(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Resize
    DisplayFontSize = ClientRectangle.Width \ 12
    DisplayFont = New Font("Segoe UI", DisplayFontSize, FontStyle.Regular)
    DisplayPosition.X = ClientRectangle.Width \ 2
    DisplayPosition.Y = ClientRectangle.Height \ 2

    If Buffer IsNot Nothing Then Buffer.Dispose()
    Buffer = Nothing
End Sub

• This method runs when the form is resized.
• DisplayFontSize: Adjusts the font size based on the form's width.
• DisplayPosition: Centers the time display in the form.
• Buffer.Dispose(): Cleans up the existing buffer to prepare for a new one.

6. OnPaint Method

Protected Overrides Sub OnPaint(ByVal e As PaintEventArgs)
    If Buffer Is Nothing Then Buffer = Context.Allocate(e.Graphics, ClientRectangle)
    DrawFrame()
    Buffer.Render(e.Graphics)
End Sub

• This method is called when the form needs to be redrawn.
• Buffer Allocation: Allocates graphics if it hasn't been done yet.
• DrawFrame(): Calls a method to draw the current time.
• Buffer.Render: Draws the buffer content to the screen.

7. DrawFrame Method

Private Sub DrawFrame()
    If Buffer IsNot Nothing Then
        Try
            With Buffer.Graphics
                .CompositingMode = Drawing2D.CompositingMode.SourceOver
                .TextRenderingHint = Drawing.Text.TextRenderingHint.AntiAlias
                .SmoothingMode = Drawing2D.SmoothingMode.HighQuality
                .PixelOffsetMode = Drawing2D.PixelOffsetMode.None
                .CompositingQuality = Drawing2D.CompositingQuality.HighQuality
                .Clear(Color.Black)
                .DrawString(DisplayText, DisplayFont, Brushes.White, DisplayPosition, AlineCenterMiddle)
            End With
        Catch ex As Exception
            Debug.Print("Draw error: " & ex.Message)
        End Try
    Else
        Debug.Print("Buffer is not initialized.")
    End If
End Sub

• This method draws the current time onto the buffer.
• Graphics Settings: Sets various drawing quality settings.
• Clear(Color.Black): Clears the buffer with a black background.
• DrawString: Draws the time string in white at the specified position.
• Error Handling: Catches any errors during drawing and prints them to the debug console.

8. InitializeForm Method

Private Sub InitializeForm()
    CenterToScreen()
    SetStyle(ControlStyles.UserPaint, True)
    SetStyle(ControlStyles.OptimizedDoubleBuffer, True)
    SetStyle(ControlStyles.AllPaintingInWmPaint, True)
    Text = "Time🕒 - Code with Joe"
    Me.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized
End Sub

• This method sets up the form's initial properties.
• CenterToScreen(): Centers the form on the screen.
• SetStyle: Configures the form to use double buffering for smoother rendering.
• Text: Sets the title of the window.
• WindowState: Maximizes the form when it opens.

9. InitializeBuffer Method

Private Sub InitializeBuffer()
    Context = BufferedGraphicsManager.Current
    Context.MaximumBuffer = Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Size
    Buffer = Context.Allocate(CreateGraphics(), ClientRectangle)
End Sub

• This method initializes the graphics buffer.
• BufferedGraphicsManager.Current: Gets the current graphics manager.
• MaximumBuffer: Sets the maximum buffer size.
• Allocate: Allocates the buffer for drawing.

This application uses Windows Forms to create a simple clock that updates every 20 milliseconds. It utilizes buffered graphics for smooth rendering and adjusts the display based on the size of the window.