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From: andrews@Apple.COM (Richard Andrews)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.appletalk,comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: What is the AppleShare "Shared Environment"?
Message-ID: <25558@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 9 Feb 89 21:19:19 GMT
Reply-To: andrews@apple.com (Richard Andrews)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 24


> I have been skirting the edges of TOPS/AppleShare compatibility for a while
> now. Suddenly, with FoxBase+/Mac, I find myself over that edge and into the
> abyss (Mixed metaphors champ '88 :-)
>
> It seems that AppleShare and it's clones (NetWare/Mac, AppleShare PC, 3Com[?])
> all have this think called the "Shared Environment" which I have never even
> heard of. It's NOT AFP. What is it, what is it used for, and where is the
> documention???

The "Shared Environment" is a term Apple coined to represent the "new"
environments we were moving into (Switcher, AppleShare, MultiFinder, etc.)
where more than one user/application may open a file at the same time.
Before these products, there was no way any two users or apps could "share"
a file.  Each of these products opens up the possibility of sharing.

A document was produced ("Application Development in a Shared Environment")
to inform developers of the particular considerations they should be aware
of when writing applications for these environments.  This is available from
the Apple Programmers' and Developers' Association (APDA).

I should point out that whether you plan for it or not, the applications
you write will most likely be tried in a shared environment, so ALL
developers should read the document.