◄Up► ◄Contents► ◄Index► ◄Back► ─────Setting Up Context Strings and Topics────────────────────────────────── A HELPMAKE source file consists of a sequence of topics separated by context-string definitions. One or more context-string definitions function as the labels for each section of topic text. When the user requests help on a keyword in the database, or executes one of the links, the context string determines which section of text will be displayed. For example, in QuickHelp format, a source file has the following general structure: .context a topic text ∙ ∙ ∙ .context b .context c .context d topic text ∙ ∙ ∙ (continuing with more topics) Each context string is defined on a single line. The topic text is all lines of text between sets of context lines. Note that each topic has one or more context-string definitions, which separate it from other topics. Each context string must be unique; you cannot use the same context string more than once in a given database. If a context string is preceded by an at sign (@), it is a "local" context string. Local context strings differ from regular context strings in the following ways: ■ You cannot implicitly link to a local context string. In other words, a local context does not function as a link when it appears as part of topic text. ■ A local context string is known only within a single help database. You cannot link to a local context in another help database. ■ Local context strings take up less space in a help database because they are stored as numbers rather than as a series of letters. For this reason, use local context strings if possible when defining explicit links. -♦-