NewsBits

By Neil Ticktin, Editor-in-Chief

Dave Mark does it again!

Learn C++ on the Macintosh, just published by Addison-Wesley, shows programmers how to get up and running with object- oriented programming and C++ on the Macintosh. Written by Dave Mark, author of the best-selling Learn C on the Macintosh (Addison-Wesley), this self-teaching book/disk package gently leads the reader through a comphrehensive tutorial in programming fundamentals and C++ language basics.

As C++ is considered the most important programming language in the world today, programmers need to be in the know. With Learn C++ on the Macintosh, they can learn to program in C++ without hundreds of dollars in lessons.

The disk packaged with Learn C++ on the Macintosh contains versions of Symantec's popular C++ compiler for the Macintosh, written especially for this book. Using this compiler, readers will learn how to write, edit, compile, and run their first C++ programs on the Macintosh. End-of-chapter exercises, reference material, real-world examples, and Dave Mark's trademark - an accessible writing style - further enhances this self-teaching package.

Learn C++ on the Macintosh has a suggested retail price of $36.95 with disk, is 464 Pages long, paperback, and is available wherever computer books are sold.

For more information, contact Addison-Wesley Publishing Group, 1 Jacob Way, Reading , MA 01867, Voice: 617/944-3700.

[Remember, this book and many others can be purchased at a discount through the Mail Order Store on page 77 of this issue. - Ed.]

digitalNATION for free!

Computer Services Group, Inc. makes its digitalNATION on-line service available to the public for FREE. digitalNATION uses a graphical interface, which makes it easier to operate for users who are not familiar with computer or on-line services.

The company expects more than 20,000 computer-using professionals to join his service by year's end, making digitalNATION the largest free on-line service in the United States.

digitalNATION offers users: more than 25,000 public domain files and commercial software upgrades; message areas for help, support, guidance and information about products and services, private electronic e-mail and file transfer at speeds of up to 14,400 baud; news, information, press releases and specialty publications from around the world; special interest conferences and on-line chat forums; and easy to use high speed point and click interface.

Interested users or publishers should call 703/642.2800 for more information or for a free users manual and disk. Please specify Macintosh or Windows version. For U.S. and Canadian orders, there is a $7.95 shipping and handling charge for the disk and manual.

For more information, contact digitalNATION™, 5515 Cherokee Ave., Alexandria, VA 22312, Voice: 703/642.2800, Fax: 703/642.3747.

[MacTech Magazine has a presence on dN as well. Check out our e-mail addresses that you can send to. They forward to us directly and in most cases, response time should be within one business day. - Ed.]

Digitalk’s Smalltalk

Digitalk has announced the release of a new version of the company's pure object-oriented programming environment for the Macintosh. This exciting new release lets developers leverage the features of Macintosh System 7 and adds many new capabilities.

Key new features include: portable architecture using a new event driven user interface framework which lets developers move applications between Smalltalk/V Macintosh, Windows, and OS/2 platforms faster and easier; new, improved user interface with enhanced browsers and inspectors that give developers faster and easier programming via more efficient viewing and access to objects. User interfaces are more consistent between Smalltalk/V Macintosh, Windows, and OS/2 development environments; Integration with System 7 is faster and easier with full, high level language access to Macintosh System 7 OS and Toolbox, plus 200 new Toolbox classes; Exception handling allows developers to determine how runtime errors are handled in applications for greater control; High-level object-oriented support for advanced System 7 features such as Data Access Language/Data Access Manager (DAL/DAM) which allows developers to access SQL data via DAM APIs, 32-bit color QuickDraw, QuickTime, Balloon Help, and AppleEvents; Full support for multiple text fonts, styles, and colors; Object filer allows easy retrieval, and sharing of objects between users and applications. This major new version of Smalltalk/V for Macintosh comes with new, improved documentation of over 1,000 pages, divided into three manuals.

Smalltalk/V version 2.0 for Macintosh is available now and has a list price of $495. Registered Smalltalk/V Mac users can buy the new version for a limited time at the special price of $149. The purchase price includes the right to distribute unlimited runtime applications with no additional royalty payments to Digitalk.

For more information, contact Digitalk, Inc., 9841 Airport Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045, Voice: 310/645-1082, Fax: 310/645-1306.

QuicKeys can script!

CE Software has announced the release of QuicKeys 3.0. QuicKeys, which works with any application, delegates simple commands or complex tasks to the Macintosh. It is an invaluable tool for novices and power users that eliminates the monotony of any repetitive task you do on your Mac.

QuicKeys 3.0 supports AppleScript, Frontier, and any other OSA compliant scripting language. The AppleScript extension gives QuicKeys the ability to send scripts to the AppleScript engine for execution. Together, they can automate any application, regardless of support for AppleScript or Apple Events.

Other new or improved features include: more powerful branching capabilities give sequences the power to branch to other shorcuts, jump within a sequence, and wait according to a variety of conditions; sequences can now call other sequences and real time recordings; redesigned interface includes a new utilities menu that provides easier access to Instant QuicKeys, QK Extension Manager, the Template Printer, and other QuicKeys utilities; easier, more reliable recording capabilities; new floating palettes control the recording and playback of Sequences or Real Time Shortcuts; extensions are now organized by category for easy selection; Apple Events Extension has been completely redesigned and rewritten; new Wait and Pop-up menu steps are recorded automatically, increase sequence reliability; QuicKeys Extras include Shortcut sets for 10 of the most popular applications and special shortcuts made specifically for working with PowerBooks.

QuicKeys version 3.0 will be available through CE's authorized distributors and resellers worldwide. The U.S. Suggested retail price is $169.00. Registered users of QuicKeys 2.1.2 and greater may upgrade to QuicKeys 3.0 for $49.95. Registered users of versions earlier than 2.1.2 may purchase the upgrade for $79.95. All upgrade offers expire 11/30/93.

For more information, contact CE Software, Inc., 1801 Industrial Circle, P.O. Box 65580, West Des Moines, IA 50265, Voice: 515/224-1995, Fax: 515/224-4534, AppleLink: CESOFTWARE, America Online: CESOFTWARE, CompuServe: 76136,2137.

ObjectMaster for THINK C & C++

ACI US has introduced its newest addition to the Object Master™ product line - Object Master for THINK C™ and C++. This comprehensive programming environment is fully integrated with THINK Project Manager and works seamlessly with THINK C™, Symantec™ C++, and any other ANSI C or standard C++ language.

Object Master for THINK C and C++ provides software developers with tools to assist them during code development. One such tool is a flexible Class Tree window, called the Browser in THINK Project Manager. The Class Tree window allows users to expand and collapse the class tree, color code classes, and open and print multiple windows displaying specific components of the tree.

Object Master’s Browser window allows developers to access different pieces of code. Developers need not concern themselves with the physical location of the code because Object Master parses all project files and maintains a dynamic data dictionary of all project components including classes, functions, and methods. Changes made to the code are immediately displayed-no compilation is necessary.

Users can edit code in the Browser window or in a File editor. Both tools contain a full-featured source code editor and perform various tasks such as syntax checking without compiling and automatically marking every function, method, or class in the project. With a single keystroke, users can find and paste a function’s argument. Developers can also customize styles for each language element such as functions, keywords, syntax errors, and comments. The Source Code editor can be programmed through AppleScript.

Object Master is fully aware of THINK Project Manager. Files added to an Object Master project can be included in the THINK project and vice versa. Object Master ensures complete integrity with the THINK project. Compiling and linking can be performed from within the Object Master environment.

You can purchase Object Master for THINK C and C++ from ACI US, through mail order houses, or at selected dealers. The product’s list price is $255.

For more information, contact ACI US Marketing, 10351 Bubb Road, Cupertino, CA 95014, Voice: 408-252-4444, Fax: 408-252-0831, AppleLink: D4444.