Using the GUI Wizard to Run ASN1C

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ASN1C includes a graphical user interface (GUI) wizard that can be used as an alternative to the command-line version. It is a cross-platform GUI and has been ported to Windows and most UNIXes. The GUI makes it possible to specify ASN.1 files and configuration files via file navigation windows, to set command line options by checking boxes, and to get online help on specific options.

The Windows installation program should have installed an `ASN1C Compiler' option on your computer desktop and an `ASN1C' option on the start menu. The wizard can be launched using either of these items. The UNIX version should be installed in ASN1C_INSTALL_DIR/bin; no desktop shortcuts are created, so it will be necessary to create one or to run the wizard from the command-line.

The wizard is navigated by means of Next and Back buttons. Following is the initial window:

The Project Wizard will allow you to save your compilation options and file settings into a project file and retrieve them later. If you wish to make a new project, click the icon next to Create a New Project. Previously saved projects may be recalled by clicking the icon next to Open an Existing Project.

The status window will display the version of the software you have installed as well as report any errors upon startup that occur, such as a missing license file.

In this window, the ASN.1 file or files to be compiled are selected. This is done by clicking the Add button on the right hand side of the top windows pane. A file selection box will appear allowing you to select the ASN.1 or XSD files to be compiled. Files can be removed from the pane by highlighting the entry and clicking the Remove button.

ASN.1 specifications and XML Schema Documents must not be compiled in the same project. Once an ".asn" file has been added, no ".xsd" files may be added.

Include directories are selected in a similar manner in the middle pane. These are directories the compiler will search for import files. By default, the compiler looks for files in the current working directory with the name of the module being imported and extension ".asn" or ".xsd". Additional directories can be searched for these files by adding them here.

User-defined configuration files are specified in the third pane. These allow further control of the compilation process. They are optional and are only needed if the default compilation process is to be altered (for example, if a type prefix is to be added to a generated type name). See the Compiler Configuration File section for details on defining these files.

There are also two options to generate extra compilation information. Check Generate Listing if you want the compiler to echo the specification as it compiles it. Check Output Warning Messages to output potential problems that occurred during compilation.

The next window is as follows:

The Code Generations Options window permits users to specify the input language type, target application language, and additional translations if necessary.

Certain options will be inactive (greyed out) depending on the file type selected. For example, if an XSD file is selected, the option Generate ASN.1 file based on X.694 will be active and the option Generate equivalent XML schema (XSD) file will be inactive.

Checking Generate code for all dependent imported type definitions will cause the compiler to search and generate code for modules specified in the imports statement of an ASN.1 specification.