=> Quoting Wim Veldhuis (2:285/324.3) to Roger Host on 16 Dec 94  17:51 <=

 WV> According to the PM-reference, the bitmap replaces the text which is
 WV> normally on the button. They probably mean by that you are not allowed
 WV> to use any text. Peter Fitzsimmons posted a message how to avoid using
 WV> the SM_SETBITMAP message,

I am new to OS/2 Warp and am interested in developing applications.  I am
trying to find the most cost-effective way to get relevant programming
information.  Can you tell me which language package you purchased to get a
PM Reference and whether that is PM Ref. Volume 1 or 2?  Yours was the first
message I have read here and I welcome anybody's responses on the following
subjects:

I need to be able to compile for System Object Model (SOM) but I don't use C.
I use Borland Pascal but I intend to switch over to an Extended Pascal for
OS/2.  So I am trying to buy the right tools and reference material which are
preferably independent of C, C++ or a Pascal dialect.

So far the best deal I know is the C Set++ V2.1 CD-ROM from IBM for $209.  I
say this only because IBM usually charges $199 for the included IBM
Developer's Toolkit for OS/2.  I don't know what is actually inside the
Toolkit yet.  I could buy a $25 Tools Reference book but I am afraid that it
along with other Warp-related programming books are included in various
programming packages from Borland/Microsoft/IBM and others.  The OS/2 V3
Technical Library costs $1295.50 from IBM which is an obscene price tag.  My
questions are whether the books are really necessary for application
development and are they available exclusively from IBM?  I don't want to go
over a $700 price range for all necessary tools.

I could upgrade to a Borland C product for OS/2 fairly cheaply.  But I am
after the language independent tools such as a SOM Compiler and I don't know
what comes with Borland's OS/2 compiler packages.  The only SOM Compiler I
heard of is from IBM and has C language bindings.  Is there a binding for
REXX or a Pascal dialect?  I don't mind buying a good REXX compiler in
addition to an Extended Pascal compiler.  Any help or guidance is greatly
appreciated.

... As easy as 3.14159265358979323846264338327950