Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!claris!outpost.UUCP!peirce
From: peirce@outpost.UUCP (Michael Peirce)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: Help with SIZE resource
Message-ID: <0B010004.51uxla@outpost.UUCP>
Date: 13 Mar 91 22:00:55 GMT
Reply-To: peirce@outpost.UUCP
Organization: Peirce Software
Lines: 48
X-Mailer: uAccess - Mac Release: 1.0.3


In article <1991Mar12.052919.12389@IRO.UMontreal.CA>, meynard@IRO.UMontreal.CA (Meynard Yves) writes:
> 
> One of the last touches tbefore we (finally) release our application here
> is to add a SIZE resource. However, after trying various setups (usually
> copied from commercial apps like PageMaker et al), we still can't figure
> out how the last two fields work (suggested and minimum memory). If you
> understand them clearly, and can put it in writing even more clearly
> please let me hear from you! Thanks in advance to all those who respond.

The suggested size is the amount of memory MultiFinder will assign
your App if it can.  For example, you are running on a Mac with 6
Meg free, but your App has a suggested size of 2 Meg.  When MultiFinder
launches your App, it will give it 2 Meg, leaving 4 Meg free for other
things.

If your suggest size is more than the amount of memory that is free,
then Finder will tell the use that there is not enough memory to open
your App, and ask if you want it opened in the available memory. 
An example of this would be 2 Meg free and the App has a suggested
size of 4.

The minimum size is the minimum amount of memory that your App will
run in.  Often, if programs are run in less than this amount, they
will crash (try running most Apps in 50K!).


The run of thumb I use is that the minimum size should allow the App
to run, but performance might not be very good (because of segment
swapping and such), and the suggested size should give enough memory
for the App to run well with a resonable amount of data - though not
hog all the memory in a machine if that can avoided.  

You should also read what Apple has to say about SIZE resources in the
tech notes.

-- michael

P.S.  (WARNING: self serving advertisement to follow) To figure out
how much memory is really appropriate for min and suggested sizes
is often a trial and error process.  AppSizer can help with this by
making it very easy to keep rerunning your App in smaller and smaller
sizes until bad things start to happen. 


--  Michael Peirce         --   outpost!peirce@claris.com
--  Peirce Software        --   Suite 301, 719 Hibiscus Place
--  Macintosh Programming  --   San Jose, California 95117
--           & Consulting  --   (408) 244-6554, AppleLink: PEIRCE