Five disks are included with the Prograph 2.5 release. Each contains an Auto-Unstuffit file which is unstuffed by double-clicking on it.
The 1st Class ƒ folder contains a front-end communications program for the TGS BBS: it presents a Mac-like interface, and supports communication at various baud rates, file transfers, and access to mail and discussion areas. We encourage you to use this software if you'd like to connect to our BBS.
The Tutorial Manual, on page 9, mentions HyperCard stacks -- these are no longer included with Prograph 2.5.
The "MMInit" init is included for people with fx, ci, si, and lc machines who are running System 6. This patches a problem with the Macintosh memory manager (manifesting in slow performance under certain conditions) that appears on those machines only, and only in Sytem 6 (System 7 fixes the problem - do NOT use this init if you're running System 7). To install this init, drop it in your System folder and restart. This init fixes the problem with slowdowns using Prograph on those machines; it is not guaranteed to improve anything else.
The XLink package (a driver and XPrim for Prograph for calling XCMDs and XFCNs from Prograph) is no longer included with Prograph. XLink 2.2.5 is a new version of XLink which supports Prograph and may be ordered directly from CEL Software (112 Advanced Techology Centre, 9650 20th Avenue, Edmonton, Alta T6N 1G1, (403) 463-9090, AppleLink: CDA0575 or cel.mktg). If you are upgrading from Prograph 2.0 to Prograph 2.5, and would like to use the 2.0 XLink sofware you received with 2.5, you can do so. Just drop the XLink driver into the System folder, and the XLink XPrim into the Prograph Extensions folder, and re-boot. TGS Systems is negotiating with CEL Software on a discount for Prograph customers who want to buy XLink 2.2.5.
Besides the Tutorial examples that go along with the Tutorial manual, several folders of other examples are provided on the release disks: Database, Learning Prograph, Super System Classes, and Utilities.
Database
- db example code ƒ: this contains the code fragments accompanying the Database Engine primitives documentation, as well as some other methods of a toolkit nature.
- RDB ƒ: relational database operations.
Learning Prograph
- Simple Exampes: how to use controls, do simple math, I/O, string and list manipulation, reflexive primitives.
- System Class examples: code for some of the more common things done with System Classes to create a Mac interface.
Super System Classes
- Check Text: data verification in edit text fields.
- Document Shell: associating a window with a file, print routines, Apple Event methods, etc.
- Floating Windows.
- Hierarchical Menus.
- Modal Windows: a true modal window method.
- Scrollbar: a standalone scrollbar you can use to control any item.
- Styled Text: how to implement fonts and style in your applications.
- View Text: a read-only Scroll Text item.
Utilities
- Instance Finder: lets you find those instances that are still there and preventing deletion of a class.
- Print: a print class.
- File I/O: basic file manipulation.
- Play snd: plays 'snd ' resources.
The Coming Attractions application is a slide show, written in Prograph using the Special Effects manager, giving information on add-on products which will be available from TGS Systems.
Tech Notes
In Chapter 9 of the Tutorial Manual, Compiling Your Program, starting on page 257, there is a description of how the compiler, if it catches an error in your code, can switch to or launch the Prograph interpreter, opening the window where the error occured, highlighting the operation in question, and making an error message available (via Last Error). This works in System 6 but not in System 7. In the future this feature will be re-enabled for System 7 via Apple Events.
If you want to keep the Compiler and its files in a subfolder of the folder where you keep the interpreter, and want to have balloon help available, make an alias of the Prograph Extensions folder and put it in your Compiler folder.
Resource type 'STR ' cannot be used for Balloon Help messages for Menus and Menu Items -- it is grayed out of the Balloon Help dialog's Balloon Contents Pop-up.
Use the copy primitive to make a copy of System Class instances if you want to store them via save, to-bytes or the database primitives. The copy primitive clears all active? flags of such instances.
cluster-undelete is only guaranteed to undelete everything, including keys, if it's used immediately after a cluster-delete.
To open a window, call /Open rather than setting the active? attribute to TRUE. The supplied /Open method calls /Open of window items, in case a window item requires such an /Open message. Conversely, call /Close instead of setting the windows active? to FALSE.