#Software Dev. Tools?
11 messages in this thread
HELP! We are trying to develop an interactive software program for use by small
children. The program requires graphics, some animation, sound, and VERY
IMPORTANT — ease of use. We are looking to develop on a MAC Quadra 800 or a
lower model MAC. We are looking for suggestions as to what programming
language/development tools to use. For example, will HyperCard fit the bill or
should we use C++ or other? We have very limited knowledge of MAC internals.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Rebecca,
As a developer who has let his own children loose on Macs from the age of 2
years, may I suggest:
1. Take a look – a long look – a KidPix. It is exemplary.
2. Avoid HyperCard. Although it is v nice for some things, it lacks most of
the key features which make KidPix so good, IMHO.
3. I would personally recommend that you go for one of the 'standard'
development environments, by which I mean THINK C/C++ (possibly with TCL), or
MPW C/C++/Pascal (possibly with MacApp), or Prograph, or possibly
SmallTalkAgents (if a modern Smalltalk environment is attractive). No matter
which you choose, you have a learning curve of varying steepness, and no doubt
you will have personal preferences as to the environment, class library,
language.
4. No matter which you choose, I am afraid that to produce this sort of
polished app, knowledge of Mac internals will be mandatory. Perhaps we could
take this further by mail?
Howard.
Howard,
Thanks alot for the information. I'll give it some thought and
research and get back to you with more questions. Thanks again! –Beckie–
Rebecca,
HyperCard is great for concept work but you do not want to use it for your
final application. We did HC work for about 3 years and a lot of the time we
saved we had to reinvest into trying to make it do something that we needed it
to do. In the end the products are fat, slow and easy to tamper with(as a
rule).
If you want to do a commercial quality app you must get intimate with the
Mac and use a low level language. I agree with most of what Howard says in his
reply. I would add that you might look into Component Workshop. I am using it
now and it is very nice.
Allen Prescott
Allen,
Thanks for the tip. I'll look into it. I appreciate the help. Beckie
If you do decide to do object-oriented development using C++, you might also
want to look at our object database engine, NeoAccess. It hides much of the
complexities of organizing and accessing data in your document. And it's fast.
I can send you some more information if you send me your particulars.
Bob Krause
NeoLogic Systems
(415) 566-9207
Please e-mail me the particulars of your product, or post them in one of the
libraries. If you need to talk to me first, please send me a private message.
Thanks!
Reginald Braithwaite-Lee
Publishing Revenue Partners
1111-200 Dufferin Street
Toronto, ON
Canada M6K 1Z4
p.s. I'll be in Boston for MacWorld if you'd like to meet.
> HELP! We are trying to develop an interactive software program for
> use by small children… We are looking for suggestions as to what
> programming language/development tools to use…We have very limited
> knowledge of MAC internals.
Um. Yes, well. I have some experience here, so, for what it's worth…
The short answer is, you probably want to do this in a traditional high-level
language, because responsiveness will be very important. Hypercard fails at
this. I would suggest Think C, maybe with TCL. Additional tools – I would
strongly suggest Macromind Director for story-boarding, because with a little
work you can pretty much translate graphics and paths directly from Director
into your code. Sound – unless you can license good clips, developing your own
quality sound will probably involve some sort of studio work.
The limited knowledge of Macintosh internals is a big stumbling block. What you
want to do is not impossible, but impractical. There's a LOT of little details
that have to be done right.
What previous experience do you have? This will help me to give you a better
answer. Also, what is your market? Is this for your own use, or is this for
commercial release?
Brian,
"Additional tools – I would strongly suggest Macromind Director for
story-boarding, because with a little work you can pretty much translate
graphics and paths directly from Director into your code."
You know, I've wondered about this a number of times, but I can't seem to get
much in the way of pointers from the folks at Macromind. I always end up
talking to sales folks who just kick me out another batch of slick sell sheets
which don't answer my questions. It's always seemed to me that it must be
possible to go from Macromind to animation in your own code, but I've been
reluctant to buy an expensive package on the basis of an assumption. If you've
got the inclination, I'd love to hear a rough outline of what's involved.
Reede
> You know, I've wondered about this a number of times, but I can't
> seem to get much in the way of pointers from the folks at Macromind.
For whatever reason, they won't be of much help to you. I didn't do it, but
some folks I'm now working with (Quicksilver Software) reverse-engineered the
Director format, and created some tools that will take Macromind Director files
and extract data, make constants etc so that they can be used from straight C
code. One neat byproduct of this is that they use Macromind Director to create
graphics and animations for their PC products as well as Mac products.
Try calling William Fischer at Quicksilver Software, (714) 241-0601 ext 10 and
see if you can work something out. Maybe you have some equally neat tool to
trade them? Feel free to mention my name, for what good it will do. Quicksilver
also has a CIS ID, but I don't know it off-hand.
"One neat byproduct of this is that they use Macromind Director to create
graphics and animations for their PC products as well as Mac products."
Very useful. That's one heckuva by-product.
Thanks for the info.
Reede