Windows vs. Mac

[tturner43]

Hi,

New to LiveCode... have Windows VB6 app we want to redo in LiveCode so that it runs on the Mac.

We have Windows specific code in the current app... things like storing settings in .ini files... defaulting data files into My Documents tree... storing certain items in the Windows registry....

How do those types of things get adjusted for the Mac? Do we have to code "if in windows... do this... else if mac... do that..."

Then taking it even further... could a desktop app really run on Ipad simply be retargeting the project and recompiling? Or will that result in an ugly mess?

I will be up front and say we are also considering RealBasis which can target mac and windows with same project, but cannot target ipad. But if LiveCode really requires a lot of rewriting to make desktop app work in ipad then not sure LiveCode makes sense as the actual coding to me is not intuitive... if I were a beginning software person I guess it would be...

-T

[jharris]

Hi -T

I have been using RealBasic for about 2 years and LiveCode for about 3 months. I also come from vb6/.net. Both IDEs will require you to code for the specific OS and you won't find many 3rd party providers as there is for VB. If your app has a lot reporting you will probably find RB a pain. I have been fighting with it for the past two year trying to create an acceptable print preview. With no good option for report writing I have pretty much given up on it. Quartum Reports for LiveCode works really nice though.

Another problem I have with RB is the flicker on WIndows. I get no flicker using LiveCode. I have asked RealSoftware about the flicker and the response was that it is just a normal part of Windows and all Windows apps flicker. I don't get any flicker with LiveCode or .Net. RS seems more focused on Web Edition than desktop for now, so I don't think there will be many improvements in the near future. I still use RB but I am trying to learn LiveCode now. I am getting a lot better results with LiveCode.

I agree that after using vb for years, the language has slowed me down. After using LiveCode for a few months though I do feel it is very efficient if you know how to use it.

One problem I have with LiveCode... there is really no option for version control. RealBasic does have a version control format.

Just my opinion... good luck with LiveCode if you choose to use it.

JHarris

[Mark]

Hi Mr T,

If your INI files are only for your own application, then you can probably use the same INI files on Mac. After all, they are just data that's read and used by your application. You can't use those INI files if they are meant to autostart from a CD for example (because Mac doesn't do that). However, when you port your app to LiveCode, you probably won't have a need for INI files.

The platform function will tell you which operating system your app is running on:

Code: Select all

if the platform is "MacoS" then
  -- desktop Mac
else if the platform is "Win32" then
  -- desktop Windows
else if the platform is "Linux"
 -- Linux
else if the platform is "iPhone" then
  -- iPhone (maybe iPad too, I don't know)
else if the platform is "Android" then
  -- Android
end if

On all platforms, you can keep your documents in the folder specialfolderpath("documents"). Sometimes, you have to use platform specific code, such as specialfolderpath("26") on Windows, specialfolderpath("preferences") on Mac and (specialfolderpath("documents") & "/preferences") on iPhone.

You can run a desktop app on an iPad, but you need to make several adjustments regarding file locations, screenrect and the app icon. Also, you can't use unlimited memory on iPad and movie codecs that work on a desktop may not work on iPad. Just think about it and you will probably find more differences, such as irrelevance of the mouseLoc function on iPad.

Kind regards,

Mark

[tturner43]

Thanks for your responses... very helpful...

JHarris... this decision to go with RB or LiveCode is agonizing... I think the fact that LiveCode runs on more platforms gives it an edge but the language is so counter intuitive to me after using VB and .Net and perl for so long. ANyway, if there is any chance I could talk with you about RB vs. LiveCode I would really appreciate it..... Not sure if I am allowed to post my contact info here.... or whether I can send you a message or something.... let me know if you would even be ok to discuss.

Mark, your suggestion is helpful for INI files... what about the windows registry?

As for ipad, one of our core user interface items is user can roll mouse over a graph and it reads off the values... that is indeed done with MouseLoc.... so you are saying on ipad there would not be a way to do that???

-Tim

[Mark]

Hi Tim,

Naturally, the Mac doesn't have a windows registry. I have never understood why people care so much about the Windows registry. So far, I have only used it to do very windows-specific things, such as registering an uninstaller and installing font files. Anything that is specific to your own application can be kept in files instead of the registry.

Using a mouseLoc on an iPod isn't logical. It might be possible to get a mouseLoc, but in most cases it doesn't make sense, because the user still needs to tap. A mouseDown or mouseUp will be at least as effective as polling a mouseLoc.

The only way to move a discussion out of this forum is by posting your contact information. This is a silly choice of the moderators, who decided to disable all contact features with easy e-mail harvesting opportunities for spammers as a result. If you decide to post your e-mail address, make sure to scramble it. You could also both go to ChatRev and talk directly and exchange contact information there.

Kind regards,

Mark

[Dixie]

Tim...

When using the iPad, you might not be able to roll the mouse over a graph to read off the values... but you can drag your finger around on the iPad .

This works with liveCode iOS

Code: Select all

on touchMove theId,x,y
   put x & "," & y into fld 1
end touchMove

Have a looka at p.19 of the 'liveCode 4.6.1 iOS release notes' for an explanation of touch messages.

be well

Dixie

[Mark]

Hi Dixie,

The idea seems nice, but while you have your finger on the screen, you can't read the text in the fields under your finger

Best,

Mark

[jharris]

Hey Tim,

I don't mind at all. If you would like to leave a scrambled email address here, I will contact you. We could also go with Mark's suggestion and use ChatRev.
I won't have time until tonight or this weekend. It sounds like we have similiar backgrounds in programming.

Regards,
jharris

[tturner43]

jharris,

What's chatrev?

I put my phone and email under my profile under Occupation. So click on my forums user name and you can contact me that way.

Best time is during the day 9-5EST.... or send me an email when you can talk....

Thanks
-Tim

[jharris]

Thanks Tim,

Got it. I will send you an email shortly.

jharris

[Mark]

heheh that's clever