Beside QM intrinsic functions, you can also use functions from Windows dlls, as well as from other dlls (e.g. downloaded). Dll functions, together with types and constants that are used with them, are called Application Programming Interface, or API. Windows API are documented in MSDN library. Before using, they must be declared. Otherwise QM would be unable to find functions, perform type checking, retrieve values of constants, etc.
You can place declarations in the same macro/function where used, or in other functions that were executed or compiled before. For example, you can place them in init2 function (if does not exist - create), which is executed at startup, or in some function that has "QM file loaded" trigger. It is not error if identical declarations are in more than one place. Read more.
All declared identifiers have global scope (except local and thread variables), and can be used in any macro. They are listed in the popup list that appears when you type dot (.). In code they are colored. You also can see them in QM status bar.
Some Windows API functions, types, constants and interfaces are declared by default. You don't need to declare them. Some of them are declared internally, others in the System folder. Many other declarations are in WINAPI and WINAPIV reference files, and you also don't have to declare these identifiers. In the QM forum you can find and download another file that contains more declarations.
Many other declarations are in other reference files and in type libraries. You don't have to explicitly declare those identifiers. Just type a library name, dot (.), and double click the identifier in the popup list. That is, use syntax libname.identifier. QM reference files are supported only by QM, but type libraries are supported by most programming languages. Type libraries are mostly used to describe COM components. Many type libraries are already installed. Installed type libraries are listed in the COM Libraries dialog. Many free and commercial components with/and type libraries are available on the Internet. Type libraries and reference files must be declared (typelib, ref), unless they are declared by default. Declared reference files and type libraries are listed at the bottom of the global popup list.
Below are listed all kinds of identifiers supported by QM.
| Declaration | Name examples | |
|---|---|---|
 QM
intrinsic functions |
lef, if | |
 User-defined
functions |
function | MyFunction |
 Dll functions |
dll | GetCursorPos |
 QM
intrinsic types, OLE types |
int, BSTR | |
 User-defined types |
type | LOGFONT |
 Classes |
class | Ftp |
 COM
classes |
Declared in type libraries. | WshNetwork |
 COM interfaces |
Declared in type libraries. Also can be used interface. | IHTMLElement |
 Named constants |
def | WM_USER |
 COM type libraries |
typelib | Shell32 |
| API reference files |
ref | WINAPI |
 Categories |
category | internet |
| Compiler directives | #ifdef | |
 Variables |
Type name | i |
| Member
functions of intrinsic types |
getwintext | |
 Member functions
of classes |
Name is declared by using special syntax in QM item name. To declare type and parameters, use function. | SetValue |
 Methods(member functions of COM interfaces) |
Declared in type libraries. Also can be used interface. | GoBack |
 Properties(member functions of COM interfaces) |
Declared in type libraries. Also can be used interface. | Height |
 Events(user-defined functions called by COM object) |
Declared in type libraries. | a_Activate |
These identifiers can be declared in type libraries: COM classes, COM interfaces, user-defined types, dll functions, named constants, enumerations. Enumerations are not used in QM, but constants from them can be used.
These identifiers can be declared in reference files: dll functions, user-defined types, classes, categories, COM interfaces, named constants, type libraries.