CompuServe Thread

#Mac/Win crosspltform Dev

4 messages in this thread
#163840From: David F. JohnsonMar 14, 1994 8:44 AM
Reede, Again, Macintosh-specific technologies will have to be added with conditional code specific for the Macintosh. This would include Apple Events, AppleScript, Balloon Help, etc. But not a bad trade considering everything else you get. David
#163898From: Howard OakleyMar 14, 1994 2:50 PM
David, With respect, you cannot add AppleEvent capabilities with conditional code, nor will you be able to for the likes of QuickDraw GX and OpenDoc. Apps are either designed properly for them, or they are not – e.g. full factoring for AppleEvents. This seems to me to illustrate the problems which I perceive with such an approach – use the cross-platform path, and you will not actually produce as good a Mac app as someone concentrating on the Mac. Therefore, your app will be inferior to theirs. Fine if you are Microsoft, maybe, but a big millstone round your neck if, like me, you are a one-man shop which succeeds or fails by doing things better. Howard.
#163975From: David F. JohnsonMar 14, 1994 10:04 PM
Howard, "With respect, you cannot add AppleEvent capabilities with conditional code, nor will you be able to for the likes of QuickDraw GX and OpenDoc. Apps are either designed properly for them, or they are not – e.g. full factoring for AppleEvents." I disagree. It won't be easy, but it will be possible. "This seems to me to illustrate the problems which I perceive with such an approach – use the cross-platform path, and you will not actually produce as good a Mac app as someone concentrating on the Mac. Therefore, your app will be inferior to theirs. Fine if you are Microsoft, maybe, but a big millstone round your neck if, like me, you are a one-man shop which succeeds or fails by doing things better." It will certainly be a cross platform solution available to everyone but useful by a minority (at least initially). David
#164086From: Howard OakleyMar 15, 1994 3:40 PM
David, I remember when UK DTS (sadly now deceased) were exhorting me to write conditional code (preferably conditional at run-time, although they would accept conditional compilation as a compromise!) for AppleEvent stuff to ensure that my apps would not only be fully factored, but also have versions which would run under System 6. When they came to write their own small fully-factored demo (still one of the best AppleEvent examples anywhere), they abandoned the idea, as it was *almost* impossible. I have yet to see anyone succeed in this, but would be delighted to see some code which does achieve it! Howard.