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C.S.M.P. Digest             Mon, 20 Apr 92       Volume 1 : Issue 55

Today's Topics:

    Alternative Mac programming languages?
    making a backup "template" of THINK C project ?
    mem/proc-manager, heapzone?
    THINK C wish - tags?
    Comm Toolbox Code Snippets?
    How do I plot icons?
    Think C 5.0.2 and MacTCP DNR...
    Where do I submit my freeware app?
    Programmer furniture


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-------------------------------------------------------

From: Brad Taplin <[e-mail]>
Subject: Alternative Mac programming languages?
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1992 09:08:26 -0500

Hello,

    I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
    C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
    another language that might provide for both fast
    prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.

    In the world of Microsoft Windows (gasp!) a common
    approach is to prototype in Visual Basic then code
    in something more powerful, usually C. The makers
    of Smalltalk/V suggest that applications written
    with their product can be prototyped in a day, and
    then reworked into powerful programs incrementally
    without the sacrifice of that first day's coding.

    Is this true? Is there something comparable in
    the Mac world? It seems that although C functions
    and now classes provide for modularity, debugging
    and integration of these into main() remains too
    painful and time-consuming for easy prototyping
    or quick rewrites. Wanna tinker without headaches.

    Apologies to all you power-hackers. I do respect
    the amazing capabilities of C, but imagine it
    better suited to systems work and power-coding
    than to my experimental programming on a micro.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Steve Dakin)
Organization: Oceania Health Care Systems
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 92 01:04:05 GMT

In article <[e-mail]> Brad Taplin
<[e-mail]> writes:

>     I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
>     C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
>     another language that might provide for both fast
>     prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.

Stepstone recently announced Objective-C for the Macintosh.  I have found it
successfully addresses the points you mentioned: "fast prototyping and
complete, tight coding."  You might want to check it out.  Stepstone can be
reached at: 1-800-289-6253 (1-800-BUY-OBJECT for those of you who like letters
in your phone numbers).
- --
    Steve Dakin                        Oceania Health Care Systems
 [e-mail] (NeXT mail)         Palo Alto, CA [phone]
 [e-mail]              Cogito ergo sum un fanaticus Marillionus
        All the best freaks are here: [e-mail]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Greg Ferguson)
Date: 9 Mar 92 23:50:20 GMT
Organization: Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector

In article <[e-mail]> Brad Taplin
<[e-mail]> writes:
> Hello,
>
>     I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
>     C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
>     another language that might provide for both fast
>     prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.
>
>     In the world of Microsoft Windows (gasp!) a common
>     approach is to prototype in Visual Basic then code
>     in something more powerful, usually C. The makers
>     of Smalltalk/V suggest that applications written
>     with their product can be prototyped in a day, and
>     then reworked into powerful programs incrementally
>     without the sacrifice of that first day's coding.
>
>     Is this true? Is there something comparable in
>     the Mac world? It seems that although C functions
>     and now classes provide for modularity, debugging
>     and integration of these into main() remains too
>     painful and time-consuming for easy prototyping
>     or quick rewrites. Wanna tinker without headaches.
>
>     Apologies to all you power-hackers. I do respect
>     the amazing capabilities of C, but imagine it
>     better suited to systems work and power-coding
>     than to my experimental programming on a micro.

You could use HyperCard. I like it for prototyping. Also, Prograph might
work for that purpose. It's a compiled language so you could go with the
Prograph front end and use C or Pascal for the code chunks that need to be
lean 'n mean.

Thats just my thoughts.

Greg

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Bob Loewenstein)
Date: 10 Mar 92 15:18:50 GMT
Organization: U. of Chicago, Astronomy and Astrophysics


>       I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
>       C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
>       another language that might provide for both fast
>       prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.

You might want to check out Yerk or Mops, true alternative languages
for the mac. They both are available through anonymous ftp at
oddjob.uchicago.edu  in directory pub/Yerk.

Both are related to Neon, the object oriented Forthlike language for
the mac. Development is very fast. Yerk is threaded interpreted while
Mops is threaded subroutine. Mops' speed of execution is as fast
as C, while Yerk is more like Forth...about 2-3x slower than c.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Kent Sandvik)
Date: 13 Mar 92 02:44:12 GMT
Organization: MacDTS Mongols

In article <[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (Brad Taplin) writes:
>
> Hello,
>
>     I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
>     C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
>     another language that might provide for both fast
>     prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.
>
>     In the world of Microsoft Windows (gasp!) a common
>     approach is to prototype in Visual Basic then code
>     in something more powerful, usually C. The makers
>     of Smalltalk/V suggest that applications written
>     with their product can be prototyped in a day, and
>     then reworked into powerful programs incrementally
>     without the sacrifice of that first day's coding.

Finally a question I would gladly like to answer! Forget Visual
Basic - if Microsoft answer to MIS prototyping is Basic, then
it clearly shows what kind of grand vision this company has in mind
concerning future software development.

The three languages/systems I would recommend to check out are:

Smalltalk/V. Yes the MacOS version is behind the Windows one, but
this will change soon.

MCL - even if the cost is high, 495$US, it's cheap compared with
the Windows Common Lisp offerings. Learning CLOS is a good way
to get prepared for future dynamic object oriented languages.

Serius/Prograph. Both are visual languages, and have their followers.
Anyway, these two are good candidates concerning true visual
programming (Visual-Basic :-) ).

Anyway,also check out Gambit, a nice Scheme for MacOS including
a kit for writing code modules. Also SIOD (Scheme in one Defun)
is a way to implement a small Scheme interpreter inside an application
framework which could be used for a small language interpreter.

Note that in many cases you could write modules in C/C++, and then
glue them together using a dynamic language. I personally think this
is the best approach, you will get both better performance, and rapid
prototyping and testing.

Hope this helps,
Kent

- --
Kent Sandvik - Apple DTS  - Dynamic Language Evangelist
[e-mail]
All opinions expressed are my own, and not related to any company or
organization. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: John Lacey <[e-mail]>
Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1992 13:51:30 -0500

[e-mail] (Kent Sandvik) writes:

>Anyway,also check out Gambit, a nice Scheme for MacOS including
>a kit for writing code modules.

Fwiw, I've used lot's of Schemes, and Gambit is the buggiest of them
all.  MacScheme is much better, and more expensive, but the student
edition is only $40.

- --
John Lacey,                  How can I do this? I don't know; and because I do
[e-mail]   not know, I shall make the attempt.  e e cummings

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Patrick Podenski)
Date: 16 Mar 92 17:40:02 GMT
Organization: Boeing Computer Services AI Center, Seattle

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Brad Taplin) writes:
>Hello,
>
>    I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
>    C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
>    another language that might provide for both fast
>    prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.
>
>    Is this true? Is there something comparable in
>    the Mac world? It seems that although C functions
>    and now classes provide for modularity, debugging
>    and integration of these into main() remains too
>    painful and time-consuming for easy prototyping
>    or quick rewrites. Wanna tinker without headaches.
>

There is hope for the problems you describe. The answer is
Prograph. Prograph is a visual programming language. It is
object-oriented, has a powerful user interface builder, a
completely integrated language environment with the most
powerful debugging tools I have used.

You can drop down and write C routines when that appeals,
but Prograph can access the entire Mac toolbox, supports
AppleEvents, and can twiddle bits if you want to.

TGS (The Gunakara Systems), makers of Prograph, also
sell separate tools for easily integrating standard C,
Pascal or Fortran code into a Prograph application.
The Prograph environment includes both an interpreter
and a compiler, so you produce standalone Mac
applications.

Initially, learning to program in a visual programming
environment can be a challenge, because it is quite
different than the traditional textual coding
environments.

You can order the product from places like MacConnection
for the usual mail order prices.
The vendor is

TGS Systems
2745 Dutch Village Road, Suite 200
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3L4G7
Canada
Phone [phone]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Terry Thiel)
Date: 18 Mar 92 14:24:28 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

[e-mail] (Patrick Podenski) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Brad Taplin) writes:
>>    I have been swimming into the deep dark waters of
>>    C programming and have begun to wonder if there's
>>    another language that might provide for both fast
>>    prototyping and complete, tight coding for the Mac.
>There is hope for the problems you describe. The answer is
>Prograph. Prograph is a visual programming language. It is
>object-oriented, has a powerful user interface builder, a
>completely integrated language environment with the most
>powerful debugging tools I have used.
>You can order the product from places like MacConnection
>for the usual mail order prices.
>TGS Systems
>2745 Dutch Village Road, Suite 200
>Halifax, Nova Scotia
>B3L4G7
>Canada
>Phone [phone]
They also have an educational discount.  Call TGS for details.
- -Terry
.

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Tom Dunigan)
Subject: making a backup "template" of THINK C project ?
Date: 16 Mar 92 15:48:36 GMT
Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Is there a way to make a copy of one's THINK C project file without
all the compiled pieces and libraries included -- i.e., just a small
template of the sources and libraries needed plus compiler/language settings ...?
or a way to "unbuild" the project?
or a description of the project file format, so one could write such a utility?

This would be useful for distributing sources of a THINK C application,
or for recovering from a bug that has destroyed your project file.
- --
    Tom Dunigan
    [e-mail]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Daryl Spitzer)
Date: 16 Mar 92 18:33:27 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada

> Is there a way to make a copy of one's THINK C project file without
> all the compiled pieces and libraries included -- i.e., just a small
> template of the sources and libraries needed plus compiler/language settings
> ...?
> or a way to "unbuild" the project?

Have you tried "Remove Objects" in the Project Menu?

Since projects can become corrupted, I keep a backup with the objects removed,
just in case.
- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
 [e-mail]     "Life isn't just, life just is."
         [e-mail]              -- Me  (I think.)
       [e-mail]
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Brent)
Date: 19 Mar 92 04:34:01 GMT
Organization: Texas A&M Univ., Inc.

[e-mail] (Tom Dunigan) writes:
|Is there a way to make a copy of one's THINK C project file without
|all the compiled pieces and libraries included -- i.e., just a small...
|or a way to "unbuild" the project?

Yes, you can first make a copy of the project via the Finder, and then
in Think C you can do a "Remove Objects" command from the Project menu(?).
This leaves JUST the basic info needed to rebuild the project and a large
project with 20-30 source files may shrink to about 20k.

|This would be useful for distributing sources of a THINK C application,
|or for recovering from a bug that has destroyed your project file.

Yep.

As an aside, in my Apple menu (Sys 7), I have an option called "Dev Tools"
which is a folder containing my assorted development stuff.  In there I
have created a basic Think C project with the ANSI and MacTraps libraries.
The file is a stationary pad so when I need a new project, I just select
that file and away I go...

- -Brent
- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brent P. Burton, N5VMG                                    Computer Sci/Physics
[e-mail]                                   Texas A&M University
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Terje Finstad)
Subject: mem/proc-manager, heapzone?
Date: 17 Mar 92 15:32:50 GMT
Organization: Fysisk Institutt

I want to get some general information about how to manipulate the data of
application A from application B under system 7.

I have had a lot use for extending the capabillities of commercial applicat-
- -ions by writing my own Deskaccessories that manipulates the data structures
of the the Application opening the DA. I have found the data structures I
want by searching through the application's master pointers. Well, of course,
it is the DA that finds the data once (during writing the DA) I have under-
- -stood the application's organization of it's data. ( Sometimes one may of
course be so lucky that the application can put the datastructures of interest
into the scrap - then there is no problems neither under system 6 nor 7 ).
The DA may also use some of the application's routines by calling routines
from the applications jump table. (once I understand these routines) These
DA's do not work under system 7.

There must be a way to just modify what I have of code and still using it.
In what general direction should I head?.  Can I use the process manager to
get  another application's  heapzone?.  If I could get it's heapzonepointer
I would get it's data. (I  think?)  Any hint's would be appreciated.

 Sincerely
          Terje Finstad

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (P. Hawthorne)
Date: 18 Mar 92 09:51:39 GMT
Organization: Reed College, Portland OR


  [e-mail] (Terje Finstad) writes:
. I want to get some general information about how to manipulate the data of
. application A from application B under system 7.

  I know that the Dreaded Thought Police have made it seem like you can't
do anything because it may change in the future, but in this case, you
may actually be tampering with forces beyond your control.
  Not to rain on your parade here, or anything, but this seems like a
doomed effort unless you can adapt to every new version of the system,
the apps involved, and the architectures of the Macintosh itself.
  Do not expect to be able to address memory across application
boundaries. Think of it as being in one country, and trying to spy into
another without going there. Handle your interprocess communication with
a messenger of some sort, whether it be network entities or extentions.

. I have had a lot use for extending the capabillities of commercial applicat-
. ions by writing my own Deskaccessories that manipulates the data structures
. of the the Application opening the DA.

  I guess this could be done, but have never had enough courage to spend any
time on it. Since the slightest whim of a compiler could blow you out of the
water, I would imagine that you would need to make this an entirely in house
productivity trick. Even at this point, I find it easier to work within the
confines of the operating system. Get the applications in question to respond
to menu choices and play with their window structures, and try and stay away
from stuff that changes from compile to compile...

. I have found the data structures I want by searching through the
. application's master pointers. Well, of course, it is the DA that finds
. the data once (during writing the DA) I have understood the
. application's organization of it's data.

  You should get a title like reverse engineer or something. Have you found
that there are any applications which are easier to figure out than others?

.(Sometimes one may of course be so lucky that the application can put the
. datastructures of interest into the scrap - then there is no problems
. neither under system 6 nor 7).

  How do you selectively retrieve what is on the clip? Do you stick to well
defined standards like PICT and TEXT? Can you preserve the clip so that the
user never notices what has happened once you are done?

. The DA may also use some of the application's routines by calling
. routines from the applications jump table. (once I understand these
. routines) These DA's do not work under system 7.

  This sounds like a phenomenal way to get inside things and play around.
Pardon my naivete, but doesn't this crash intermittantly with a 68020 or
better, regardless of what the system version is?

. There must be a way to just modify what I have of code and still using
. it. In what general direction should I head?.  Can I use the process
. manager to get  another application's  heapzone?.  If I could get it's
. heapzonepointer I would get it's data. (I  think?)  Any hint's would be
. appreciated.

  Code is like an apartment or a significant other. Every once and a
while, it's nice to start all over again. Copy and paste your code into
new projects which do not depend upon the layout of the heap zone, since
that could wipe out your project in the near future.
  Look at ways to make INITs that patch system traps. There are some fine
examples of that around, such as Adobe Typeface Manager and Suitcase. Get
those, tear them apart, and see what you think.
  I must say, it sounds like you could do a great job at it.

  Theus ([e-mail])

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Terje Finstad)
Organization: Dept. Physics
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 19:22:00 GMT

  [e-mail] (P. Hawthorne) writes:
>   [e-mail] (Terje Finstad) writes:
> . I want to get some general information about how to manipulate the data of
> . application A from application B under system 7.

Request for suggestions still applies,
allthough P. Hawthorne seems to suggest to forget it?

> doomed effort unless you can adapt to every new version of the system,
> the apps involved, and the architectures of the Macintosh itself.

Well, so far these things/"the effort" has been working from the system of 85
up till sys. 6.07.

> . I have had a lot use for extending the capabillities of commercial applicat-
> . ions by writing my own Deskaccessories that manipulates the data structures
> . of the the Application opening the DA.
>
>   I guess this could be done, but have never had enough courage to spend any
> time on it. Since the slightest whim of a compiler could blow you out of the
> water, I would imagine that you would need to make this an entirely in house
> productivity trick. Even at this point, I find it easier to work within the
> confines of the operating system. Get the applications in question to respond

Calling the memory manager to get the applications heapzone is working
within the operating system.

>   You should get a title like reverse engineer or something. Have you found
> that there are any applications which are easier to figure out than others?

No comments

>  1 How do you selectively retrieve what is on the clip? 2 Do you stick to well
> defined standards like PICT and TEXT? 3 Can you preserve the clip so that the
> user never notices what has happened once you are done?

1. Well, as you know, you choose the Restype yourself in GetScrap.
2. No
3. Well I am also the user. But, yes, changing the scrap requires the applications
   do not assume what they placed there will always be what they get back, but there
   does not seem to be a problem( I call ZeroScrap in between get and put, and the
   application is supposed to think the scrap has changed, but from my limited
   experience these/my applications do not assume the scrap is unchanged anyhow.

> . ..using routines from the application's jumptable
> Pardon my naivete, but doesn't this crash intermittantly with a 68020 or
> better, regardless of what the system version is?

No, not by the different CPU's but whether anything like that can be done (easily)
with system 7 - I have no idea and part of my original request.

>   Code is like an apartment or a significant other. Every once and a

OK I'm ready for the junkyard


---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Scott Hankin)
Subject: THINK C wish - tags?
Organization: Open Software Foundation
Date: 17 Mar 92 16:29:24 GMT

    As interesting as the C++ discussion has been, my needs are more
    mundane.  Many times I find myself working with a system of many files,
    and THINK C gives me a message that a particular function call does not
    match the prototype.  I am then left to try and find that prototype,
    and correct the offending line.

    On Unix, this process is greatly simplified by the use of tags files.
    A tags file is created by running a relatively dumb program over one or
    more source files.  Information is collected on global variable
    definitions, function definitions, typedefs and macros.  The editor can
    then take you to the file that defined a given variable or function and
    position the cursor on the appropriate line.  It is much faster than
    any automated file search (.e.g. grep, multi-file search) because the
    information is already in an easily searched format.

    However, the compiler has all this information and then some.  It can
    do this job far better than a separate utility.  It's just a matter of
    collecting the information, and providing an interface to the editor.

    This touches upon a second unfortunate feature of THINK C.  I really
    like the feature which provides you with a list of all the include
    files seen when compiling a particular file.  The list is only
    available after the file has been successfully compiled, however.  This
    is frustrating because it is often useful to have that list to aid in
    tracking down errors in the file.  Often I get one of those prototype
    mismatches, but have to try and search down the file containing the
    prototype manually.  This wastes a lot of time.  It is particularly
    annoying because I know that at the point at which the error occurs,
    all the include files have in fact been read.

    As a colleague of mine is so fond of saying, "It's just a simple matter
    of programming..."

    Does anyone else work this way?

- - Scott
Scott Hankin ([e-mail])
Open Software Foundation
11 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Louis Wu)
Organization: Whatsamatta U
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1992 23:14:25 GMT


The Alpha text editor create tags for function declarations and has a list
dialog that allows you to jump to the declaration. However, it doesn't do
prototype declarations.

- --
=============================================================================
Pete Keleher   "Relax! Don't worry! Have a homebrew!"        [e-mail]
=============================================================================


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (David Spencer)
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 12:57:19 GMT
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC

In <hankin.700849764@osf> [e-mail] (Scott Hankin) writes:

>[I] like the feature which provides you with a list of all the include
>    files seen when compiling a particular file.  The list is only
>    available after the file has been successfully compiled, however.

create a file called dummy.c that #includes all your .h files, but
nothing else; then compile it. All the .h's are then available by
option-clicking the title bar of the project window.

>Open Software Foundation

I won't report you to rms.

David Spencer      [e-mail]

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (James Gustave)
Subject: Comm Toolbox Code Snippets?
Date: 18 Mar 92 02:22:17 GMT
Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz


  Does anyone have the little bits of code from the beginning of Inside the
Macintosh Communications Toolbox??  I really don't feel like typing them in
if I don't have to :)

  Actually any little snippets of code using the Comm Toolbox would be great.
Thanks.

- --
Jim Speth
[e-mail]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Joe Zobkiw)
Date: 18 Mar 92 16:21:26 GMT
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

You should get a hold of the "CShell" source from the Developer CD...it
does some comm toolbox stuff and contains full C source.

It's probably on ftp.apple.com also.

<joe>


- --
<--------------------------------------------------->
 joe zobkiw                     [e-mail]
 mac.synthesis.MIDI.development.C.asm.communications
>---------------------------------------------------<

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Harry Bakker (I87))
Subject: How do I plot icons?
Date: 18 Mar 92 13:55:35 GMT
Organization: FWI, University of Amsterdam


Greetings to all the rescue rangers!

The Mac introduced to the world a windows oriented system, complete with icons.
So you would think icons are heavilly supported. Well, I think not.
Fer example: I wanted to fetch the drive-icon of a floppydisk. So I called
PBControl with csCode = 22 (I think that's the number, but since I'm doing
this by head, it could be uncorrect. However, I my program it's ok). This call
is supposed to give me a Ptr to an icon structure (bitmap and mask). The trouble
starts when I try to plot the icon. The PlotIcon routine wants a HANDLE, but I
got a PTR. So I converted the pointer to a handle, by passing the ADDRESS of
the pointer to PlotIcon. Well, it did plot something, but it sure didn't look
like a proper icon. To make the problem worse, there are a lot of other routines
(for example the desktop database routines) that all return POINTERS to icons.

Now my question: could somebody help me at this point? How do I plot an icon,
if I only have a POINTER to it?

Thanks in advance.

Harry Bakker
([e-mail])

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Paul Potts)
Organization: Instructional Technology Laboratory, University of Michigan
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 92 15:12:43 GMT

[e-mail] writes:

>Greetings to all the rescue rangers!
>
>The Mac introduced to the world a windows oriented system, complete with icons.
>So you would think icons are heavilly supported. Well, I think not.

"I think not?" The Macintosh is highly icon- and window-oriented.
This is a pretty presumptuous statement, given that your entire evidence
for this seems to be a bug in your program that you can't figure out.

>... The trouble
>starts when I try to plot the icon. The PlotIcon routine wants a HANDLE, but I
>got a PTR. So I converted the pointer to a handle, by passing the ADDRESS of
>the pointer to PlotIcon.

You can't do this. A Handle is an operating system object. Simply taking the
address of a pointer and calling it a handle won't do. The Operating System
didn't create this object - how would it know the size of the object,
who it belongs to, whether it is locked or unlocked, purgeable or nonpurgeable,
etc.? Take a look at Inside Macintosh. Trying to program the Mac without a
basic knowledge of the memory manager is also rather presumptuous...

>Now my question: could somebody help me at this point? How do I plot an icon,
>if I only have a POINTER to it?

Inside Macintosh volume 2, p. 375:

PtrToHand (srcPtr: Ptr; VAR dstHandl: Handle; size: LONGINT): OSERR;

Pass this routine your pointer and the number of bytes that you wish
to copy (in the "size" parameter). In C you could pass as the size
parameter (long)sizeof(your pointer).  Remember to dispose of the
handle when you are done with it. You could also use PtrToXHand, if
you have created the handle ahead of time.


- --
         -Paul [e-mail]-
"The amounts of nicotine that are tolerated by adult smokers can produce
symptoms of poisoning and could prove fatal if Habitrol systems are applied
or ingested by children or pets." - Habitrol(TM) drug ad, information sheet.

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Jack Herrington)
Subject: Think C 5.0.2 and MacTCP DNR...
Date: 18 Mar 92 20:07:27 GMT
Organization: University of Miami Medical School

Just to start off, I'd like to say 'Thanks' for all the help in the past...
You are a really cool bunch of people for responding so quickly with
valuable information.

Now, on to the real story.  Today's Problem:  OpenResolver(nil) and
CloseResolver() work fine, or at least I think the do, the respond with
'noErr'.  This is after I re-compiled the dnr.o with MPW C to remove
the 'TrapAvaliable' which is multiply defined.

When I use 'StrToAddr' with all the right parameters, it returns back
with 'CacheFault' (ok, I can buy that).  And so I loop (right now I am
just in the testing phase, so it's ok to loop infitely).  My callback
breaks me about about half a second later with a rtnCode of '-1'.  The
cname it gives me is the name I give it 'umbio', plus the domain
'.med.miami.edu' but with two bytes of crap at the beginning.  ALSO,
the address return is 0L, so it didn't get it.

So should the string passed to 'StrToAddr' be pascal?  It seems to just
hang when I send a 'C' string.  It's a dumb question I know, but when
faced with a 'wall' of weirdness you have to try weird things to get
around it.

Anyway, thanks for any helpful advice you can give me.
- --
"Electric word 'life', it means forever and that's a might long time.  But I'm
 here to tell yah, there's something else... The after-life, a word of
 never-ending happiness, you can always see the sun, day or night.  So when you
 call up that shrink in Beverly hills, you know the one, Dr. everything-we-all-

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Pete Resnick)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 22:23:14 GMT

[e-mail] (Jack Herrington) writes:

>When I use 'StrToAddr' with all the right parameters, it returns back
>with 'CacheFault' (ok, I can buy that).  And so I loop (right now I am
>just in the testing phase, so it's ok to loop infitely).  My callback
>breaks me about about half a second later with a rtnCode of '-1'.  The
>cname it gives me is the name I give it 'umbio', plus the domain
>'.med.miami.edu' but with two bytes of crap at the beginning.  ALSO,
>the address return is 0L, so it didn't get it.

The rtnCode field in hostInfo is delcared as int. In MPW, that's
a long; in THINK C, that is (usually) a short. Change the type
in AddressXlation.h to long and you will be fine.

pr
- --
Pete Resnick             (...so what is a mojo, and why would one be rising?)
Graduate assistant - Philosophy Department, Gregory Hall, UIUC
System manager - Cognitive Science Group, Beckman Institute, UIUC
Internet: [e-mail]

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Aaron Giles)
Subject: Where do I submit my freeware app?
Organization: University of Chicago High Energy Physics
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 23:06:17 GMT

Well, I finally put everything together and am now ready to release my
first Mac application to the cruel real world.  I remember hearing
once that there was some way to get it posted to the majors (info-mac,
UMich, UTexas) as well as put up on comp.binaries.mac all in one fell
swoop, but I can't for the life of me remember how that worked.
Either that, or it was all in a dream I once had. :-) If the latter
case is true, then I'd appreciate a description of the usual
formalities involved in posting directly to these sources.

Thanks a million!
Aaron
- -----
                     Aaron Giles -- [e-mail]
           "You can't have everything ... where would you put it?"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Nick B Triantos)
Date: 19 Mar 92 04:49:46 GMT
Organization: The University at Buffalo

If I remember correctly, the FAQ says that mailing it to
[e-mail], probably compressed with either StuffIt or
Compact Pro, binhexed, and with a brief description at the top, will get
distribution to sumex, rascal, umich, and comp.binaries.mac...

Nice to hear it's freeware, BTW!

- -Nick

- --
Nick Triantos   Grad Student, University at Buffalo.  Why?  I DON'T KNOW!
     "...and besides, she's a psycho hose-beast." - Wayne, from Wayne's World

I! Hi'm a mtatng siugnaturei vir*ss. You cann~t reisth elping me  spre]d !

---------------------------

From: [e-mail] (G. S. Marzot (Joe))
Subject: Programmer furniture
Date: 4 Mar 92 18:43:18 GMT
Organization: The MITRE Corporation

This is not a joke.  I was just wondering if there was any particular
chair that programmers find saticfactory. for example the kneeling style
chair or anything else that releives the strain of sitting in front of a
terminal for extended time periods. Thanks for any input, GSM


Email: [e-mail]

(standard  disclaimer)

- -------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Steven J. Edwards)
Date: 5 Mar 92 22:05:31 GMT
Organization: Bull HN, Worldwide Information Systems, Billerica, Mass., USA

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (G. S. Marzot (Joe)) writes:
> This is not a joke.  I was just wondering if there was any particular
> chair that programmers find saticfactory. for example the kneeling style
> chair or anything else that releives the strain of sitting in front of a
> terminal for extended time periods. Thanks for any input, GSM
>
> Email: [e-mail]

    You are correct: it is not a joke.

    I have tried a good number of programmer's chairs over the
last two decades including the two platform kneeler, the fixed back,
the two axis tilt, and so forth.  I have settled upon a straight and
flat back, forward to rearward single axis tilt, four wheel caster
with three-quarter length armrests.  The chair back reaches up to
about three-fifths of my spine.  All contact surfaces are slightly
padded and have a smooth vinyl finish.  Of course, chair height,
caster resistance, and the tilt resistance are adjustable.  The chair
remains stable in all by the most outrageous tilt positions and has a
comfortable lean-back stability point.  It is somewhat broader in the
beam than I am to allow for a bit of relaxing lateral movement.  I
have two desks in my home office and I can easily propel the chair
from one to the other while remaining seated.

    A good chair is expensive, but my current home chair is in its
eighth year and is still going strong.  Ten minutes a year is
sufficient for maintenance, mostly lubrication and cleaning the
bearings.  It is possible that its replacement may have a higher back.
There is also the problem of occasional stubbed toes due to the long
caster arm supports, this from usually programming at home shoeless.
The chair at work is similar.

    I have not seen any good programmer's chairs for less than
about US$250 nowadays.

 [The above opinions expressed are my own; not necessarily held by others.]
      == Steven J. Edwards           Bull HN Information Systems Inc. ==
      == [phone]              300 Concord Road         MS 820A ==
      == [e-mail]     Billerica, MA 01821          USA ==
"That Government which Governs the Least, Governs Best." -- Thomas Jefferson

- -------------------------

From: [e-mail] (P. Hawthorne)
Date: 5 Mar 92 21:24:27 GMT
Organization: Reed College, Portland OR


  [e-mail] (G. S. Marzot (Joe)) writes:
: I was just wondering if there was any particular chair that programmers
: find satisfactory. For example, the kneeling style chair or anything else
: that releives the strain of sitting in front of a terminal for extended
: time periods.

  I find it best to move chairs around depending on what I am doing. It's
the ultimate cop out, I know. Everything seems to depend on what you're
doing, but it makes sense that chairs have their uses too. Plus, I enjoy
the ritualist aspect of rolling another chair over.

  If I am writing new sections of code, I prefer secretarial chairs on
swivels without arm rests so that I can twist and turn to reach books or
the stereo. For analysis and testing, with their relatively long periods of
quiet contemplation, I prefer a comfy chair with arm rests.

  I don't like the kneeling style chairs, even the ones on wheels. For me,
anyway, they get irritating after a couple of hours because they are just
transferring strain to your legs rather than your spine. Imagine kneeling
for hours at a time. I prefer to sit.

  Theus ([e-mail])

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: [e-mail] (Bill Biesty)
Date: 18 Mar 92 02:45:02 GMT
Organization: IDE, San Francisco

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(G. S. Marzot (Joe)) wants to know what kind of chair is best for
programming for long periods of time.

I prefer a chair that tilts back and forth on the seat. the ones that
just angle the back are cheaper but are not comfortable when
leaning back. Arm rests are optional. (Sometimes they encourage bad
posture, but they help shift weight off of the back and rear end.)

Get durable padding in the seat. It's hard to get a chair with
good padding without spending a ton on other not so useful features.
But I have a chair now that I start to feel the bolts by the end
of the day.

I've tried the two platform chairs. I didn't find them confortable
since I could not adjust the angles of the platforms.

- --
Bill Biesty
<[e-mail]>     These are not the opinions of my employer.

---------------------------

End of C.S.M.P. Digest
**********************