TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Aug 92 Mousehole
Volume Number:8
Issue Number:4
Column Tag:Mousehole

Mousehole

By Larry Nedry, MacTutor Regular Contributing Author

From: Derek

To: ** ALL **

Re: Programming for System 7

I am having some problems trying the code from the book “Programming System 7” to work with my THINK C compiler version 4.05. I keep this error: “Illegal Function Prototype”. (I think it has to do with some System 7 specific toolbox routines?)

I haven’t programmed in a few years and I admit I am a bit rusty with C and the Mac.

Any help that does not include buying an upgrade for my THINK C compiler would be greatly appreciated. (I’ve bought upgrades for all for THINK Pascal and THINK C in the past, but with this recession I admit I am broke currently)

Thanx in advance

From: Tims

To: Derek

Re: Programming for System 7

Derek - I co-authored “Programming for System 7” and all of the sample C source in it relies on Think C v.5.x. If you’re still using pre-5.x, then you’re lacking all of the System 7 interfaces and “Programming for System 7” uses a lot of different System 7 calls. There were also some changes in THINK itself from 4.x to 5.x (I believe 5.x is when they started using Apple’s interfaces so the code can be easily moved between MPW C and THINK C).

The cleanest solution is to upgrade to THINK C v.5.x (I know, $$$$’s tight, but you’re going to spend a LOT more time and effort creating your own System 7 interfaces and tweaking our code to work under 4.0 than you might imagine). Bear in mind that the listings in the book are not the full thing (there’s some behind the scenes “housekeeping” stuff for publish/subscribe, comm toolbox, balloon help, and the desktop database that’s not listed in the book, but is on the disk [see the coupon inside the back cover of the book...]). If you did go to all the trouble of tweaking the listings to work under THINK C 4.x, you’d have to either write your own “behind the scenes” stuff or get the disk and convert that source as well (a fairly major task and not one I’d recommend to anybody). That’s why I say that despite the cost of moving to THINK C 5.x, you’ll come out ahead in the long run.

Hope that helps at least a little.

From: Derek

To: Tims

Re: Programming for System 7

Thank you for the advice. I did buy an upgrade and the disk. (my spouse is out of work, not myself!) I hate to ask such a simple question, but I am getting an error and I can not figure out why.

I get this same error with the code I typed in or from the disk I purchased so I assume it must be my THINK C setup somehow.

pascal OSErr HandleOAPP( AppleEvent *theAppleEvent, AppleEvent *reply, long myRefCon );

On the above line I get a “syntax error” The place in the line it stops with the error is when it gets to the: “*theAppleEvent”.

Sorry to keep asking simple problems but if anyone could help me with this I would really appreciate it.

From: Tims

To: Derek

Re: Programming for System 7

Welcome to THINK’s idea of “System 7 support” <grin>.

The problem you’re encountering is that THINK’s std out-of-the-box MacHeaders file doesn’t bother to include any of the System 7 specific interfaces. You have to include them yourself or edit the Mac #include.c file and re-precompile it (to recreate a more meaningful MacHeaders file).

The disk for the book was supposed to address that problem by using a custom pre-compiled header. Did you open the PROJECT that came with the disk or did you just bring the source files into your existing project?

The Read Me should have some info on the whole situation, but may not (I haven’t read the Read Me since late last year when Gary and I wrote it <grin>).

Hope that helps.

From: Derek

To: Tims

Re: Programming for System 7

Thank you very much for the help. I did include the necessary System 7 headers and now everything works fine.

From: Markspace

To: Tims

Re: C++? (1 reply)

About the only thing I find myself wanting to use under THINK C from C++ is multiple inheritance.

From: Tims

To: Markspace

Re: C++?

I sat in on some heavy arguments on whether or not multiple inheritance was a “useful feature” or a “crutch”. The folks referring to it as a “crutch” claimed that any example you could give them of when MI was “needed”, they could show it could be done without MI, thus MI was merely a crutch that let you avoid “doing your class hierarchy” correctly. I never did completely agree with either side, but it seems to me that any language feature that can bail you out late in a project, even if it is a “crutch” is a heck of a lot more practical than rewriting your class hierarchy from scratch. Somehow the “crutch” crowd didn’t always seem to see the “practical” side of a development tool, preferring to stick to the academic side.

Just a few thoughts from days gone by.

Tim (my opinions are my own and I’m not a super-expert on C++) S.

From: Halldor

To: ** ALL **

Re: DAs and access to selected text in applications

Hello. I am new to Mac programming and, I am writing a program that has to take the text selected in a word processor, modify it and turn it back to the word processor. Is there any reasonable way of doing this on the Mac? Is there any book around that describes DA programming in detail, other than IM, do you know of any DA source code in your library? Thanks for reading this message, a response would be appreciated, if not... thanks anyway!!

From: Mrteague

To: Halldor

Re: DAs and access to selected text in applications

Although you are new to Mac programming, can you tell me if you intend using the code you mention for something more than an example? The reason I ask, if you want to jump in at the deep end, and have an application that would require System 7.0.x, then you might want to consider using AppleEvents - your example would be an ideal use of AppleEvents, especially considering the Word Services AppleEvent Registry is almost complete, and this registry is designed for the very thing you ask. However I will assume for the moment that you don’t want something so difficult to start with <grin> - you shouldn’t need to even worry about writing a DA (especially since System 7.0.x discourages such things), since standard applications that use the Clipboard correctly will work as you intend without a DA. Suggest you get a hold of the standard Apple example source code (it comes with MPW, and may be available separately, maybe even from here). The important things to remember are: handle resume/suspend events if running under MultiFinder/ System 7.0.x (and set the appropriate bits in the ‘SIZE’ resource - you can get away with not doing this, but MultiFinder(?) Process Manager will “fake” Clipboard copy/paste like a DA and it will be a little slower than you doing it); and convert between any private “scrap” you may have and the public “scrap” (Clipboard). The operating System will take care of updating the Clipboard in both applications, if both you and the other application do the correct thing. HOWEVER, none of this (and DA’s without a lot of work) will help your application REPLACE the selected text in the word-processing application - to do this usually requires some kind of INIT, and lots of horrible behind the scenes fiddling with TextEdit (and won’t work with all applications) - I liken your example to a Spelling Checker, and I’m sure other people will tell you what kinds of lengths Spelling Checkers go to, to work with applications. Hope this helps.

From: Halldor

To: Mrteague

Re: DAs and access to selected text in applications

Thanks this helps a lot, I was hoping that there was a quick (and maybe dirty) way of doing this. The reason for all this is that English is my second language, (Icelandic being the first one) and I’ve written a translation program that does a lot of the dictionary flipping for me. I wanted to see if there was an easy way of extending the program to communicate with applications. Thanks for the help, I’ll turn to 7.0.x for completing the task.

From: Sysop

To: Dizzy

Re: Quadra 900

My Quadra seems to be faster for everything I do. It is faster for hard disk usage, network and running applications. I have run into a few apps that will not run with the ‘040 caches turned on but that is easy to fix with a cdev called Compatible. It turns the cache off when selected apps are run. Even QuickTime movies are much smoother.

From: Sysop

To: ** ALL **

Re: Quadra 900 with OverDrive

I just purchased an OverDrive kit from Newer Technology. It is a small card that plugs into the ROM socket on the Quadra 900 that speeds up the CPU to 33 MHz. It was fairly easy to install and my Quadra is now running 32% faster. It is definitely noticeable. I love it!

I ran Speedometer 3.06 before and after. The results are:

Before After

CPU 16 22

Graphics 19 25

Disk 4 4

Math 102 136

These results show how much faster this machine is with the OverDrive kit.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Minecraft 1.20.2 - Popular sandbox build...
Minecraft allows players to build constructions out of textured cubes in a 3D procedurally generated world. Other activities in the game include exploration, gathering resources, crafting, and combat... Read more
HoudahSpot 6.4.1 - Advanced file-search...
HoudahSpot is a versatile desktop search tool. Use HoudahSpot to locate hard-to-find files and keep frequently used files within reach. HoudahSpot is a productivity tool. It is the hub where all the... Read more
coconutBattery 3.9.14 - Displays info ab...
With coconutBattery you're always aware of your current battery health. It shows you live information about your battery such as how often it was charged and how is the current maximum capacity in... Read more
Keynote 13.2 - Apple's presentation...
Easily create gorgeous presentations with the all-new Keynote, featuring powerful yet easy-to-use tools and dazzling effects that will make you a very hard act to follow. The Theme Chooser lets you... Read more
Apple Pages 13.2 - Apple's word pro...
Apple Pages is a powerful word processor that gives you everything you need to create documents that look beautiful. And read beautifully. It lets you work seamlessly between Mac and iOS devices, and... Read more
Numbers 13.2 - Apple's spreadsheet...
With Apple Numbers, sophisticated spreadsheets are just the start. The whole sheet is your canvas. Just add dramatic interactive charts, tables, and images that paint a revealing picture of your data... Read more
Ableton Live 11.3.11 - Record music usin...
Ableton Live lets you create and record music on your Mac. Use digital instruments, pre-recorded sounds, and sampled loops to arrange, produce, and perform your music like never before. Ableton Live... Read more
Affinity Photo 2.2.0 - Digital editing f...
Affinity Photo - redefines the boundaries for professional photo editing software for the Mac. With a meticulous focus on workflow it offers sophisticated tools for enhancing, editing and retouching... Read more
SpamSieve 3.0 - Robust spam filter for m...
SpamSieve is a robust spam filter for major email clients that uses powerful Bayesian spam filtering. SpamSieve understands what your spam looks like in order to block it all, but also learns what... Read more
WhatsApp 2.2338.12 - Desktop client for...
WhatsApp is the desktop client for WhatsApp Messenger, a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is available for... Read more

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Square Enix commemorates one of its grea...
One of the most criminally underused properties in the Square Enix roster is undoubtedly Parasite Eve, a fantastic fusion of Resident Evil and Final Fantasy that deserved far more than two PlayStation One Games and a PSP follow-up. Now, however,... | Read more »
Resident Evil Village for iPhone 15 Pro...
During its TGS 2023 stream, Capcom showcased the Following upcoming ports revealed during the Apple iPhone 15 event. Capcom also announced pricing for the mobile (and macOS in the case of the former) ports of Resident Evil 4 Remake and Resident Evil... | Read more »
The iPhone 15 Episode – The TouchArcade...
After a 3 week hiatus The TouchArcade Show returns with another action-packed episode! Well, maybe not so much “action-packed" as it is “packed with talk about the iPhone 15 Pro". Eli, being in a time zone 3 hours ahead of me, as well as being smart... | Read more »
TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘DERE Veng...
Developer Appsir Games have been putting out genre-defying titles on mobile (and other platforms) for a number of years now, and this week marks the release of their magnum opus DERE Vengeance which has been many years in the making. In fact, if the... | Read more »
SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring...
Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 22nd, 2023. I’ve had a good night’s sleep, and though my body aches down to the last bit of sinew and meat, I’m at least thinking straight again. We’ve got a lot to look at... | Read more »
TGS 2023: Level-5 Celebrates 25 Years Wi...
Back when I first started covering the Tokyo Game Show for TouchArcade, prolific RPG producer Level-5 could always be counted on for a fairly big booth with a blend of mobile and console games on offer. At recent shows, the company’s presence has... | Read more »
TGS 2023: ‘Final Fantasy’ & ‘Dragon...
Square Enix usually has one of the bigger, more attention-grabbing booths at the Tokyo Game Show, and this year was no different in that sense. The line-ups to play pretty much anything there were among the lengthiest of the show, and there were... | Read more »
Valve Says To Not Expect a Faster Steam...
With the big 20% off discount for the Steam Deck available to celebrate Steam’s 20th anniversary, Valve had a good presence at TGS 2023 with interviews and more. | Read more »
‘Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2’ Revealed at T...
At TGS 2023, HoYoverse had a big presence with new trailers for the usual suspects, but I didn’t expect a big announcement for Honkai Impact 3rd (Free). | Read more »
‘Junkworld’ Is Out Now As This Week’s Ne...
Epic post-apocalyptic tower-defense experience Junkworld () from Ironhide Games is out now on Apple Arcade worldwide. We’ve been covering it for a while now, and even through its soft launches before, but it has returned as an Apple Arcade... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

New low price: 13″ M2 MacBook Pro for $1049,...
Amazon has the Space Gray 13″ MacBook Pro with an Apple M2 CPU and 256GB of storage in stock and on sale today for $250 off MSRP. Their price is the lowest we’ve seen for this configuration from any... Read more
Apple AirPods 2 with USB-C now in stock and o...
Amazon has Apple’s 2023 AirPods Pro with USB-C now in stock and on sale for $199.99 including free shipping. Their price is $50 off MSRP, and it’s currently the lowest price available for new AirPods... Read more
New low prices: Apple’s 15″ M2 MacBook Airs w...
Amazon has 15″ MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs and 512GB of storage in stock and on sale for $1249 shipped. That’s $250 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available for these M2-powered MacBook... Read more
New low price: Clearance 16″ Apple MacBook Pr...
B&H Photo has clearance 16″ M1 Max MacBook Pros, 10-core CPU/32-core GPU/1TB SSD/Space Gray or Silver, in stock today for $2399 including free 1-2 day delivery to most US addresses. Their price... Read more
Switch to Red Pocket Mobile and get a new iPh...
Red Pocket Mobile has new Apple iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models on sale for $300 off MSRP when you switch and open up a new line of service. Red Pocket Mobile is a nationwide service using all the major... Read more
Apple continues to offer a $350 discount on 2...
Apple has Studio Display models available in their Certified Refurbished store for up to $350 off MSRP. Each display comes with Apple’s one-year warranty, with new glass and a case, and ships free.... Read more
Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pros with M2 Pro CPUs...
Amazon is offering a $250 discount on new Apple 16-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pros for a limited time. Their prices are currently the lowest available for these models from any Apple retailer: – 16″ MacBook... Read more
Closeout Sale: Apple Watch Ultra with Green A...
Adorama haș the Apple Watch Ultra with a Green Alpine Loop on clearance sale for $699 including free shipping. Their price is $100 off original MSRP, and it’s the lowest price we’ve seen for an Apple... Read more
Use this promo code at Verizon to take $150 o...
Verizon is offering a $150 discount on cellular-capable Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models for a limited time. Use code WATCH150 at checkout to take advantage of this offer. The fine print: “Up... Read more
New low price: Apple’s 10th generation iPads...
B&H Photo has the 10th generation 64GB WiFi iPad (Blue and Silver colors) in stock and on sale for $379 for a limited time. B&H’s price is $70 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price... Read more

Jobs Board

Housekeeper, *Apple* Valley Villa - Cassia...
Apple Valley Villa, part of a 4-star senior living community, is hiring entry-level Full-Time Housekeepers to join our team! We will train you for this position and Read more
Housekeeper, *Apple* Valley Village - Cassi...
Apple Valley Village Health Care Center, a 4-star rated senior care campus, is hiring a Part-Time Housekeeper to join our team! We will train you for this position! Read more
Optometrist- *Apple* Valley, CA- Target Opt...
Optometrist- Apple Valley, CA- Target Optical Date: Sep 23, 2023 Brand: Target Optical Location: Apple Valley, CA, US, 92308 **Requisition ID:** 796045 At Target Read more
Senior *Apple* iOS CNO Developer (Onsite) -...
…Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) is in need of smart, motivated and self-driven Apple iOS CNO Developers to join our team to solve real-time cyber challenges. Read more
*Apple* Systems Administrator - JAMF - Activ...
…**Public Trust/Other Required:** None **Job Family:** Systems Administration **Skills:** Apple Platforms,Computer Servers,Jamf Pro **Experience:** 3 + years of Read more
All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.