moose@svc.portal.com (08/14/90)
I am looking for a way to dynamically load objects at run-time. I want an application that can allow people to drop in their own custom objects whenever they want to. I know how to drop in interface files, I don't know how to drop in raw objects. Example Program A lists all the "modules" in the directory /LocalApp/myApp.app/modules/. The user double clicks on any module and a screen comes up with that .nib file. The .nib file modifies the menu appropriately. The user sits down and writes his own .nib file. He includes custom objects he makes. He compiles it and drops it in /LocalApp/myApp.app/modules/. I want my program to be able to load this module. Thanks, Michael Rutman | moose@svc.portal.com Cubist | makes me a NeXT programmer Software Ventures | That's in Berkeley smile, your on standard disclaimer | <fill in with cute saying> -- Michael Rutman | moose@svc.portal.com Cubist | makes me a NeXT programmer Software Ventures | That's in Berkeley smile, your on standard disclaimer | <fill in with cute saying>
news@midway.uchicago.edu (News Administrator) (08/14/90)
In article <1990Aug13.223632.312@svc.portal.com>, moose@svc.portal.com writes... > I am looking for a way to dynamically load objects at run-time. I have had a recent communication with Avie about the same issue. He told me that dynamic loading at the moment is very difficult to do, but that the operating system 2.0 will have "turnkey" dynamic loading. So, your best bet is to wait another 3 months, and enjoy the easy life. Thanks, Avie. /ivo welch ivo@next.agsm.ucla.edu
wjs@milton.u.washington.edu (William Shipley) (08/15/90)
In article <1990Aug13.223632.312@svc.portal.com> moose@svc.portal.com writes: > > I am looking for a way to dynamically load objects at run-time. I want >an application that can allow people to drop in their own custom objects >whenever they want to. I know how to drop in interface files, I don't know >how to drop in raw objects. Currently it's pretty easy to dynamically load functions, but pretty difficult to dynamically load objects. Functions are easy because all you need is a pointer to them and you can call them. Here at Stanford Linear Accelerator I have created a set of routines which allow the user to dynamically link in functions: it took about 2 pages of code. (Available on request.) For objects, it depends on what you mean by "object". If you want to drop in an object of an already existing (in the target program) class, you can just unarchive it (or do somehting similar). If you want to dynamically add a new class, it's harder, because you have to inform the run-time Obj-C system all about your new class, including the size of the objects and the methods they respond to. This may be as easy as calling objc_addClass(), but, honestly, I have no idea. It hasn't been made clear to me whether 2.0 will actually support run-time loading of new classes, or just run-time linking of new functions. -william shipley NeXT developer at Stanford Linear Accelerator (student at University of Washington, too) PS: Thanks should be given to Alan Marcum at NeXT for assistance getting dynamic linking to work.
edwardj@microsoft.UUCP (Edward JUNG) (08/15/90)
In article <1990Aug13.223632.312@svc.portal.com> moose@svc.portal.com writes: > > I am looking for a way to dynamically load objects at run-time. I want >an application that can allow people to drop in their own custom objects >whenever they want to. I know how to drop in interface files, I don't know >how to drop in raw objects. > I spent alot of time looking at this problem last year and came up with a number of hack solutions (they are hacks because they rely on undocumented, reverse-engineered information regarding shared library and objective-C module formats). I am told that version 2.0 of the OS will correctly support "real" dynamic loading/linking. I would suggest waiting for it; any other hack is doomed to fail. I might add parenthetically that NeXT official tech support was of ZERO help while I was attempting this last year. Of course I was at a somewhat smaller company then. ;-) My experience indicates that "knowing" somebody helps alot. Or flaming like a bandit. If you are still interested in doing this, however, send me some mail. But you'll be sorry! Edward Jung Advanced Systems Architecture Systems Strategist Microsoft Corporation {uunet|apple}!microsoft!edwardj ed@dtg.com
phd_ivo@gsbacd.uchicago.edu (08/16/90)
In article <56584@microsoft.UUCP>, edwardj@microsoft.UUCP (Edward JUNG) writes...
+I might add parenthetically that NeXT official tech support was of
+ZERO help while I was attempting this last year. Of course I was
+at a somewhat smaller company then. ;-)
+
+My experience indicates that "knowing" somebody helps alot. Or
+flaming like a bandit.
I have zero connections and zero company support, too. However, I am very
pleased with Next's support, particularly the support that I can get by asking
questions here about the NeXT. If someone else doesn't answer first, it often
happens that some of NeXT's top technical people answer questions. I don't know
about the official support, though...
/ivo welch ivo@next.agsm.ucla.edu