jsaker@zeus.unomaha.edu (Jamie Saker, UNO ACE Computer Specialist) (04/06/91)
(The original article was posted on comp.sys.mac.apps) In article <1991Apr03.062658.25909@lynx.CS.ORST.EDU>, gonzalm@prism.cs.orst.edu (Mario Gonzales) writes: Mario writes: > I am currently looking for an applications etc that will complile a > HyperCard Stack and make it into a free standing application. > > If one does exist could someone let me know about it? Although, to my knowledge, such a compiler does not exist (or at least, it is not made available outside Claris/Apple), it raises a considerably legitimate question. Lately in the Macintosh press, I've noticed more emphasis placed on HyperCard's legitimacy as a medium for programming. One columnist in last week's MacWeek talked about how he could take on a Mac programmer and write a program in considerably less time in HyperCard than it would take the programmer in something like MPW or Think C. I also clipped a story from MacWeek a month or so ago about how HyperCard 2.0 has renewed developers interest and "legitimized" HyperCard programming. Unfortunately, it simply is not practical for software development to be done under HyperCard 2.0 right now. As Macintosh owners are required to shell out $49 to Claris for the upgrade, many don't see the need to upgrade. Since the implementation of HyperCard 1.x was not well defined (i.e. is it a toy for hobbyists or a programming language?), many Mac owners regard it as a non-essential entity on their hard drive. For software developers, this means software written in HyperCard 2.0 may be a logistical dead-end - a true shame, since HyperCard 2.0 has considerable potential to renue interest in HyperCard development. For example: we've developed a mock-up of a communications front-end package to work with a 386/UNIX server via dialup. While the HyperCard 2.0 model meets all the functional requirements (besides providing an inexpensive model for demostration purposes), we have no choice but to develop the application under another language. (Think C, MPW, etc.). (It's rather humerous having a mock-up that meets all the requirements for our model, yet has to be rewritten since it cannot create an executable and Claris insists on $$$ for the upgrade). I gave Claris a call a month ago about any availability of a compiler, and besides being told that "no-such software existed," I was told that I could contact Apple regarding bundling arrangements ($$$). Since it is unrealistic for Claris/Apple to expect software developers to pay $X per copy sold to distribute HyperCard 2.0, I believe they have to choose one of two options if they wish to promote HyperCard 2.0 as a true developers language: 1. Distribute it for free to Macintosh owners. (or) 2. Release a compiler for developers. Since I'm not aware of the technical considerations in producing a compiler to create a self-executable from a stack, I'd be interested in hearing feedback from the net. Also, perhaps some wise soul at Claris or Apple may have more information than their customer support people have. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jamie Saker Internet: jsaker@zeus.unomaha.edu Computer Specialist, acespec@zeus.unomaha.edu UNO Assoc. of Collegiate Entrepreneurs /\ 3538 N 55th Street /\\\ Omaha, NE 68104 MultImage Communications /\\\\\ (402) 556-8916 /\\\\\\\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
krona@nada.kth.se (Kjell Krona) (04/09/91)
A few years back, there was a DA named HyperDa (I think) which could read (most) HyperCard stacks, presenting them in a resizable window. Unfortunately, it could not properly excute all HyperTalk scripts. I believe that the help system in MacWrite II and MacDraw II was made by a licensed version of the code for this DA (which means that Claris ought to know about it...). Recentlty (last month, I think) I read in MacWeek that the company in question (unfortunately I cannot recall their name (somthing Symmetry?) woul release a new version for HyperCard 2.x, which would be much more fully compatible. Perhaps this also means that some sort of runtime-code might be offered ..... just my speculations. Kjell Krona krona@nada.kth.se