TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Oct 95 Top 10
Volume Number:11
Issue Number:10
Column Tag:Symantec Top 10

Symantec Top 10

This monthly column, written by Symantec’s Technical Support Engineers, aims to provide you with technical information based on the use of Symantec products.

By Noah Lieberman and Andy McFarland, Symantec Technical Support

Note: Source code files accompanying article are located on MacTech CD-ROM or source code disks.

Q: I want to use QuickDraw 3D in my application. Is there anything special that I need to do to use it with Symantec C++ for the Power Macintosh?

A: Yes. There are some slight changes that must made to the interfaces and sample projects. We have a patch kit available that will allow you to use our compiler and has sample projects for all of the demos. You must also make sure that you have the QuickDraw GX headers. QuickDraw 3D interfaces and libraries are avilable from Apple as part of their MacOS SDK subscription.

Q: I have some binary data that was written with a MSDOS program that I want to read into my Macintosh program, but the numbers are all messed up. Why?

A: The two systems save numbers differently. The Motorola processors use big-endian numbers, and the Intel processor machines use little-endian numbers. There is a difference in how numbers are stored in memory and on the disk. For example, the long hexadecimal value $12345678 would be stored by an Intel processor as $34127856.

To convert a number as you read it into a Macintosh, you can use the following C code:

        long    longVal = ReadALong(srcFile); // read a long from the       // file
        char    *cp = (char*) &longVal;
        char    temp;

        temp = cp[0];
        cp[0] = cp[1];
        cp[1] = temp;

        temp = cp[2];
        cp[2] = cp[3];
        cp[3] = temp;

Of course, if you are real ambitious, the assembly code is MUCH simpler and faster:

        MOVE.L  longVal,D0
        ROR.W   #8,D0
        SWAP    D0
        ROR.W   #8,D0
        SWAP    D0
        MOVE.L  D0,longVal

So you could define the code like this for 68K:

 #pragma parameter __D0 Little2BigEndian(__D0)
 pascal long Little2BigEndian(long val) = {
        0xE058,         // ROR.W    #8,D0
        0x4840,         // SWAP     D0
        0xE058,         // ROR.W    #8,D0
        0x4840          // SWAP     D0
        };

        long  longVal =   Little2BigEndian(ReadALong(srcFile));

Q: I am using SPM 8.0.x and have created an array of 50 elements. However, when I look at the array in the debugger only the first 25 elements are displayed (0-24) in the data window. Is there now a limit to the number of array elements that can be displayed in the data window and if so, how do I view the values in the latter elements of my array?

A: There is an option in the SPM debugger, under the data menu, to set the array bounds. The default setting is 25 elements, starting from element 0 and ending with element 24. The upper limit of the array bounds is 32767 elements (0-32766) that can be displayed and you can display any subset of your array by setting the starting element (lower bounds) and the number of elements you want to display (display range).

Q: I am getting Undefined MyClassName::_VTBL what does it mean?

A: This is caused by declaring a function in the header file but not defining it in the source file.

Q: Is there any way to change the order in which code is compiled in the Symantec Project Manager?

A: You can set the “Save Project as Script” script to save the project as a script, physically change the lines in the script to reflect the desired build order, and then rebuild the project using the script.

Q: I have a 7.0.x VA application that I want to port to PowerPC, but if I open it with 8.0 and click the convert button in the conversion dialog, I am getting compiler and linker errors. Are there any alternate methods for updating to PPC?

A: Yes. Usually most of these errors are due to the lack of neccessary libraries. Create a new VA app with 8.0, and add your source files and VA Resource. This way the 8.0 VA project model will add the basic libraries for you.

Q: My code works fine on 68k but its crashing on PowerPC.

A: The PPC forces 4 byte struct alignment, which can often cause problem when converting from 68k. There is a pragma you can use to get around this problem:

 #if defined(powerc) || defined (__powerc)
 #pragma options align = mac68k
 #endif
 struct myRecord
 {
 OSType theOSType;
 unsigned short  theSize;
 };
 #if defined(powerc) || defined(__powerc)
 #pragma options align = reset
 #endif

Q: When I call x80told it sets the 8 bytes following the long double to 0.

example:

 void main()
 {
 long double   ld1, ld2;
 extended80 x80;

 ld2 = 131.416726;
 ldtox80(&ld2, &x80);
 x80told(&x80, &ld1);//when this is called, ld2 is set to 0
 } 

A: Apple’s MathLib expects true long doubles which are 16 bytes. You can get around this by passing an array of long double (i.e. long double ld1[2]).

Here is an example:

 void main()
 {
 long double   ld1[2], ld2;
 extended80 x80;

 ld2 = 131.416726;
 ldtox80(&ld2, &x80);
 x80told(&x80, ld1); // by passing the array, ld2 maintains it            // value
 }

Q: I rebuilt my PPCAnsi.o file with gla_alloc.c, but when I try and compile my project with this new file I get the error: “PPCANSI: specified file not recognized as a valid object”.

A: The Toolserver may not be installed on your Hard Disk. If this is the case you need to copy the toolserver folder from the Symantec C++ CD, and place an alias of Toolserver in your (Tools) folder.

Another possibility is that the modifications were made to the Shared Library PPCAnsi project instead of the Static Library project. gla_alloc.c needs to be added to the PPCAnsi_xcoff.Π project found in the Headers and Source folder in your Standard Libraries folder.

Q: I want to put a CStyleText into my view in VA, but there isn’t a tool for it in the tool palette.

A: Choose Classes from the edit menu. Enter the name of your new class (i.e. CMyStyleText) that will be derived from CStyleText. Choose CEditText from the Base Class: popup menu. Enter CStyleText into the Library Class: box; CMyStyleText will now be derived from CStyleText. Now use the Panorama tool from the tool palette to place a pane into your view. Select the pane, go to the Class submenu under the pane menu and select CMyStyleText.

Note: Normally the Library Class: box is for a class you have already derived from the Base Class, but this also works with other TCL classes as long as they are derived from the Base Class. For more info see p. 30-8 in the 8.0 User’s Guide, or p. 241 in the 7.0 Visual Architect and THINK Class Library Guide.

Special Thanks to Michael Hopkins, Craig Conner, Mark Baldwin, Scott Morison, Levi Brown, Steve Howard, Kevin Quah, Glenn Austin.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Hazel 5.3 - Create rules for organizing...
Hazel is your personal housekeeper, organizing and cleaning folders based on rules you define. Hazel can also manage your trash and uninstall your applications. Organize your files using a familiar... Read more
Duet 3.15.0.0 - Use your iPad as an exte...
Duet is the first app that allows you to use your iDevice as an extra display for your Mac using the Lightning or 30-pin cable. Note: This app requires a iOS companion app. Release notes were... Read more
DiskCatalogMaker 9.0.3 - Catalog your di...
DiskCatalogMaker is a simple disk management tool which catalogs disks. Simple, light-weight, and fast Finder-like intuitive look and feel Super-fast search algorithm Can compress catalog data for... Read more
Maintenance 3.1.2 - System maintenance u...
Maintenance is a system maintenance and cleaning utility. It allows you to run miscellaneous tasks of system maintenance: Check the the structure of the disk Repair permissions Run periodic scripts... Read more
Final Cut Pro 10.7 - Professional video...
Redesigned from the ground up, Final Cut Pro combines revolutionary video editing with a powerful media organization and incredible performance to let you create at the speed of thought.... Read more
Pro Video Formats 2.3 - Updates for prof...
The Pro Video Formats package provides support for the following codecs that are used in professional video workflows: Apple ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ Apple Intermediate Codec Avid DNxHD® / Avid... Read more
Apple Safari 17.1.2 - Apple's Web b...
Apple Safari is Apple's web browser that comes bundled with the most recent macOS. Safari is faster and more energy efficient than other browsers, so sites are more responsive and your notebook... Read more
LaunchBar 6.18.5 - Powerful file/URL/ema...
LaunchBar is an award-winning productivity utility that offers an amazingly intuitive and efficient way to search and access any kind of information stored on your computer or on the Web. It provides... Read more
Affinity Designer 2.3.0 - Vector graphic...
Affinity Designer is an incredibly accurate vector illustrator that feels fast and at home in the hands of creative professionals. It intuitively combines rock solid and crisp vector art with... Read more
Affinity Photo 2.3.0 - 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

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

New ‘Zenless Zone Zero’ Trailer Showcase...
I missed this late last week, but HoYoverse released another playable character trailer for the upcoming urban fantasy action RPG Zenless Zone Zero. We’ve had a few trailers so far for playable characters, but the newest one focuses on Nicole... | Read more »
Get your heart pounding quicker as Autom...
When it comes to mobile battle royales, it wouldn’t be disrespectful to say the first ones to pop to mind would be PUBG Mobile, but there is one that perhaps doesn’t get the worldwide recognition it should and that's Garena’s Free Fire. Now,... | Read more »
‘Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition...
Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition () launches beginning Tuesday worldwide on Apple Arcade bringing a new version of the game without any passes or microtransactions. While that itself is a huge bonus for Apple Arcade, the fact that Disney... | Read more »
Adventure Game ‘Urban Legend Hunters 2:...
Over the weekend, publisher Playism announced a localization of the Toii Games-developed adventure game Urban Legend Hunters 2: Double for iOS, Android, and Steam. Urban Legend Hunters 2: Double is available on mobile already without English and... | Read more »
‘Stardew Valley’ Creator Has Made a Ton...
Stardew Valley ($4.99) game creator Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) has been posting about the upcoming major Stardew Valley 1.6 update on Twitter with reveals for new features, content, and more. Over the weekend, Eric Tweeted that a ton of progress... | Read more »
Pour One Out for Black Friday – The Touc...
After taking Thanksgiving week off we’re back with another action-packed episode of The TouchArcade Show! Well, maybe not quite action-packed, but certainly discussion-packed! The topics might sound familiar to you: The new Steam Deck OLED, the... | Read more »
TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Hitman: B...
Nowadays, with where I’m at in my life with a family and plenty of responsibilities outside of gaming, I kind of appreciate the smaller-scale mobile games a bit more since more of my “serious" gaming is now done on a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.... | Read more »
SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Batman: Arkham T...
Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for December 1st, 2023. We’ve got a lot of big games hitting today, new DLC For Samba de Amigo, and this is probably going to be the last day this year with so many heavy hitters. I... | Read more »
Steam Deck Weekly: Tales of Arise Beyond...
Last week, there was a ton of Steam Deck coverage over here focused on the Steam Deck OLED. | Read more »
World of Tanks Blitz adds celebrity amba...
Wargaming is celebrating the season within World of Tanks Blitz with a new celebrity ambassador joining this year's Holiday Ops. In particular, British footballer and movie star Vinnie Jones will be brightening up the game with plenty of themed in-... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Apple M1-powered iPad Airs are back on Holida...
Amazon has 10.9″ M1 WiFi iPad Airs back on Holiday sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP, with prices starting at $499. Each includes free shipping. Their prices are the lowest available among the Apple... Read more
Sunday Sale: Apple 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro on...
B&H Photo has new 14″ M3 MacBook Pros, in Space Gray, on Holiday sale for $150 off MSRP, only $1449. B&H offers free 1-2 day delivery to most US addresses: – 14″ 8-Core M3 MacBook Pro (8GB... Read more
Blue 10th-generation Apple iPad on Holiday sa...
Amazon has Apple’s 10th-generation WiFi iPad (in Blue) on Holiday sale for $349 including free shipping. Their discount applies to WiFi models only and includes a $50 instant discount + $50 clippable... Read more
All Apple Pencils are on Holiday sale for $79...
Amazon has all Apple Pencils on Holiday sale this weekend for $79, ranging up to 39% off MSRP for some models. Shipping is free: – Apple Pencil 1: $79 $20 off MSRP (20%) – Apple Pencil 2: $79 $50 off... Read more
Deal Alert! Apple Smart Folio Keyboard for iP...
Apple iPad Smart Keyboard Folio prices are on Holiday sale for only $79 at Amazon, or 50% off MSRP: – iPad Smart Folio Keyboard for iPad (7th-9th gen)/iPad Air (3rd gen): $79 $79 (50%) off MSRP This... Read more
Apple Watch Series 9 models are now on Holida...
Walmart has Apple Watch Series 9 models now on Holiday sale for $70 off MSRP on their online store. Sale prices available for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose... Read more
Holiday sale this weekend at Xfinity Mobile:...
Switch to Xfinity Mobile (Mobile Virtual Network Operator..using Verizon’s network) and save $500 instantly on any iPhone 15, 14, or 13 and up to $800 off with eligible trade-in. The total is applied... Read more
13-inch M2 MacBook Airs with 512GB of storage...
Best Buy has the 13″ M2 MacBook Air with 512GB of storage on Holiday sale this weekend for $220 off MSRP on their online store. Sale price is $1179. Price valid for online orders only, in-store price... Read more
B&H Photo has Apple’s 14-inch M3/M3 Pro/M...
B&H Photo has new Gray and Black 14″ M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max MacBook Pros on Holiday sale this weekend for $100-$200 off MSRP, starting at only $1499. B&H offers free 1-2 day delivery to most... Read more
15-inch M2 MacBook Airs are $200 off MSRP on...
Best Buy has Apple 15″ MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs in stock and on Holiday sale for $200 off MSRP on their online store. Their prices are among the lowest currently available for new 15″ M2 MacBook... Read more

Jobs Board

Omnichannel Associate - *Apple* Blossom Mal...
Omnichannel Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
Senior Product Manager - *Apple* - DISH Net...
…Responsibilities** We are seeking an ambitious, data-driven thinker to assist the Apple Product Development team as our Wireless Product division continues to grow Read more
Senior Product Manager - *Apple* - DISH Net...
…Responsibilities** We are seeking an ambitious, data-driven thinker to assist the Apple Product Development team as our Wireless Product division continues to grow Read more
Senior Software Engineer - *Apple* Fundamen...
…center of Microsoft's efforts to empower our users to do more. The Apple Fundamentals team focused on defining and improving the end-to-end developer experience in Read more
Omnichannel Associate - *Apple* Blossom Mal...
Omnichannel Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.