Handle

In QB64 handles are created and used by various statements and functions to reference screen surfaces, images, sounds, fonts and IP users.

Syntax

handle& = _NEWIMAGE(800, 600, 32)

_FREEIMAGE handle&

Usage:

SCREEN and image handles in use cannot be freed without error! Change screens or fonts before freeing the handle from memory!
The actual value of the handle is only important if it fails to return a value in the range specified. A bad return value may create errors!

Handle Functions:

Image: _NEWIMAGE creates a screen surface, _LOADIMAGE holds a file image and _FREEIMAGE releases valid handles from memory.

Valid LONG handle returns are less than -1. Failed _LOADIMAGE handle values of -1, zero or positive values are invalid.

TCP/IP: _OPENHOST, _OPENCLIENT and _OPENCONNECTION open access and CLOSE frees negative handle values from memory.
Memory: _MEM and _MEMNEW create memory storage areas and _MEMFREE MUST release those areas for other uses.
Sound: _SNDOPEN opens a sound file and _SNDCLOSE closes the file and releases valid handles above zero from memory.
Fonts: _LOADFONT loads a font file and _FREEFONT releases valid handle values above zero from memory.
Event: _FREETIMER finds a free TIMER event INTEGER value which is freed by TIMER FREE.
Files: FREEFILE finds a free file INTEGER value which is used in OPEN statements and file functions and is freed by CLOSE