The files contained in the StuffIt file are the first two training programs
from the book "How To Write Macintosh Software" written by Scott Knaster of Apple.
For those of you just starting to program on the Macintosh, I highly recommend
this book. Scott has done an excellent job of making the Macintosh programming
environment understandable.
Believe me when I say that programming an easy to use program for the Mac is much more complex than using the finished product.
The program 'ShowOff' is introduced in chapter 7 of the book, 'Real Live Debugging'. For those programming in LightSpeed Pascal 'debugging' is sort of an understatement, it can take hours just to get to the point of starting to debug along with the book.
The Pascal program 'ShowOff' is written in MPW Pascal, which differs from LightSpeed in several ways, the most obvious being that MPW accepts incompatible 'typing' on a single line of MPW Pascal code.
While this is nice for MPW Macintosh programmers, as the Mac environment forces mixing of types with regular frequency, it can be quite frustrating when MPW source is used with a 'classical' Pascal compiler, in as far as 'typing' is concerned. LightSpeed is such a complier.
The first program is 'ShowOff 7-1'. This is the first exercise in debugging a Mac program. This version is converted to LightSpeed, with all 'bugs' intact so you may happily go 'bug hunting'. Except as noted in the source code this version is the same as in the book, just converted to LightSpeed.
The second program is 'ShowOff 7-2' this is the debugged version and matches, with the conditions stated above, the book program 'Listing 7-2'
For those of you who are just learning to program either the Macintosh or LightSpeed Pascal I offer these conversions of SHOWOFF, FREE and in the
PUBLIC DOMAIN to ease your learning curve. Pass the entire PackIt file to as
many BBSs as you wish. This is a small token of gratitude for all the
freeware I've received for the Macintosh.
Thanks goes to Larry Rosenstein of Apple for his help in setting me straight
on a couple of subjects during my learning curve on the Mac.
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Also look for other source code offerings through the ShareWare program.
All source code includes extensive comments (Even I need them to remind
me what I did a week earlier), resource files if used and complete ready to
run projects to open from LightSpeed products. So far all programs are
suitable for use as application shells. Presently two programs are available:
'Text Convert'- in LightSpeed Pascal and LightSpeed C - A simple application
to convert text file line endings to be Mac or IBM compatible. A nice shell program with many Mac features ready to modify for your use. This one is nice
for those of you learning LightSpeed 'C' who want some examples of a Pascal
and 'C' program which do the same things. The 'C' version was converted as
closely as possible directly from the Pascal version.. Having both helps to
understand the conversion of the "Inside Macintosh" calls, which are written
in Pascal.
'IFSv1.xx'- in LightSpeed C - A graphics program for decompressing a graphic
picture stored in 'Iterated Function System' format. Supports original style
8 color operations (so it runs on Mac Plus, SE and II). Included are a
normal Mac verison and a 68881 version to take advantage of the Mac II's
floating point coprocessor to speed up the calculations.
** If you are mainly looking for a nice Shell program, this is my latest and
greatest, includes radio and check boxes, static text and edit items
inside a dialog to allow modification of program specific variables or
run time options.
Both programs, while being useful and fun applications, are really ment to be
applicaiton shells. Complete with many Macintosh user interface features of
interest to many programs. Features include: menus control, multiple
window operations, WindowPicture saving for automatic window information
upating, growing, zooming, text file loading and saving, DA operation etc.
Look for them on GEnie, CompuServe and the MacInfo BBS (415) 795-8862. Either
program's source code may also be ordered for a ShareWare registration fee
as specified below.
If you would like the source code of the latest version of either
program, please send $5 per program (or $7.50 and 2 800K disks for both),
a ** 800K ** disk PER PROGRAM and a STAMPED self-addressed envelope
(strong enough to mail your disk in) along with your registration.
I WILL NOT SEND NEWEST VERSION WITHOUT YOUR DISKS AND SELF-ADDRESSED-STAMPED
ENVELOPE. Please specify which version you want, 'Text Convert' will be in
both LightSpeed Pascal and C while 'IFSv1.xx' is only available in 'C'.
Remember: If you send $7.50 and 2 800K disks you'll get both programs!!
