Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac:40884 comp.sys.mac.programmer:9945
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!apple!kazim
From: kazim@Apple.COM (Alex Kazim)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: CommToolbox & CommPrograms (was Re: 11 New Features)
Summary: Not to flog a dead horse, but...
Keywords: CTB
Message-ID: <35889@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 24 Oct 89 23:24:26 GMT
References: <969@bridge2.ESD.3Com.COM> <25744@santra.UUCP> <974@bridge2.ESD.3Com.COM> <14138@well.UUCP> <979@bridge2.ESD.3Com.COM> <25791@santra.UUCP> <8769@hoptoad.uucp> <14238@well.UUCP>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 42

In article <14238@well.UUCP> svc@well.UUCP (Leonard Rosenthol) writes:
>
>Columns to 80'.  The only way to set the parameters of a tool is either via a 
>dialog (no good during automatic scripting!) or via a config string which is
>specific to the tool - if the tool changes then the string changes and the
>and command will fail - but the script relies on that settings....

Yes and no.  You can call TMSetConfig() with a partial string, in this 
case "Width 80" or some such thing.  The tool can change, parameters can
be added or removed, but this will still work as long as the parameter 
remains "Width" and not, say, "ColWidth".

This is perhaps the greatest area of concern.  If all terminal tools spell
their parameters the same way, then one script will work all tools.  But 
this does limit the movement of some developers, and who decides what the
"correct" spelling for some new parameter is?

>	Another problem has to do with graphics terminals - contrary to the
>docs in the CTB stuff, you can not fully implement support for most/all graphics
>terminals.  Go ahead - try doing a Tek 4014, for example.... Also the question

I'm not sure what the problems are here.  Could you be more specific.

>comes up as to how ana pplication with a scripting language interacts with a
>graphics terminal...Can/Should you be able to do something like 'When Pixel is
>Green.. or Wait till Square is 10x10?'  Or am I out in left field on this one?

I'm all ears.

>	I personally have nothing against the CTB, I think it is an excellent
>idea and it is very much like things other have devised like Juri, myself, etc.
>I am hoping that future versions will solved some of the above problems (and
>others not mentioned) but for a first release I think they did a very good job
>

Thanks for your vote of confidence.  Software design is an iterative process,
and we'll do all we can to enhance the heck out of this thing in the future.

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Alex Kazim, Apple Computer
True.  False.  On.  Off.  Come on.  Bend a little.
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