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From: kt@msor.msor (Keith Tizzard)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: C++ programming under MPW - advice sought
Message-ID: <1082@exua.exeter.ac.uk>
Date: 7 Dec 90 17:17:56 GMT
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Organization: MSOR Department, Exeter University, UK
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Originator: kt@msor0

I am trying to use C++ under MPW and would welcome some advice and help.
The C++ language creates no problem since I have used it in other environments.
The problem comes when I try to find out about the MacApp classes and their
methods.  

Where do I look for a clear description?  
Do I need to acquire and read all the volumes of Inside Macintosh? 
Is there a class browser to enable me to find out, quickly and easily 
what classes are available to inherit and what member functions they contain?

Basically I am comfortable with obejct orientated programming and C++ but am
new to programming the Mac.  Any advice about how to proceed would be most
welcome.

In the APDAlog I note the publications:

C++ Programming with MacApp by David Wilson, Larry Rosenstein and Dan Shafer

Elements of C++ Macintosh Programming by Dan Weston

Has anybody read and used these?  Are they helpful for the novice?

Let me illustrate my difficulty.
The following code is taken from ShapesApp.cp, one of the files in the 
distributed C++ examples which come with MPW.  Reading the code is difficult
and the thought of creating new code is awe inspiring.  Within the class
constructors and member functions very little appears to be object orientated.

In the constructor TShapesApp, shown below, are SetMenuBar(), DisposHandle(),
DrawMenuBar() ... external functions (i.e. C) or are they inherited member
functions?  Why does it not say:

menuBar->Set()      or maybe   menuBar.Set()   and
menuBar->DisposeHandle

the code does not appear to be very object orientated.
                                
Where do I look, on the system, to find out where these functions are?
Do I Search the 17 include files at the top of TApplication.cp ??


TShapesApp::TShapesApp(void)
{
    Handle    menuBar;
    
    menuBar = GetNewMBar(rMenuBar);
    
    SetMenuBar(menuBar);
    DisposHandle(menuBar);
    
    AddResMenu(GetMHandle(mApple), 'DRVR');
    DrawMenuBar();
    
    fMouseRgn = NewRgn();
    
    DoNew();
}
                                                      

In the following member function why do we have:  ?

EnableItem(menu, iNew);      instead of  menu->EnableItem(iNew)           
DisableItem(menu, iClose);   instead of  menu->DisableItem(iClose);
                                                   
menu = GetMHandle(mFile);    instead of  menu = mFile->GetMHandle();


void TShapesApp::AdjustMenus(void)
{
    WindowPtr      frontmost;
    MenuHandle     menu;
    TShapesDocument* fShapesCurDoc = (TShapesDocument*) fCurDoc;

    frontmost = FrontWindow();

    menu = GetMHandle(mFile);
    if ( fDocList->NumDocs() < kMaxOpenDocuments )
      EnableItem(menu, iNew);            
    else DisableItem(menu, iNew);
    if ( frontmost != (WindowPtr) nil )    
      EnableItem(menu, iClose);
    else DisableItem(menu, iClose);

// stuff deleted
}



When using a set of existing classes, easily accessible documentation is needed.
By that I mean,  a list of all the classes together with their member functions
plus a clear description of what each one does.

How can one program effectively in an OO language without a class browser?
Is there one available??


-- 
Keith Tizzard
MSOR Dept, University of Exeter, Streatham Court, EXETER EX4 4PU, UK
tel: (+44) 392 264463    email: kt@msor.exeter.ac.uk     kt@msor.UUCP