Raymond Ga Cote
POWER MACINTOSH PROGRAMMING STARTER KIT, Tom Thompson, Hayden Books, ISBN 1-56830-091-3, $39.95
With the introduction of Macs based on the PowerPC processor, Apple has raised the bar in terms of what the industry thinks is fast and powerful. In addition, the latest version of System 7 for the PowerPC has some unique (and confusing) system extensions that take advantage of this new processor. Along with the new computer systems come new development environments, in particular, Metrowerks CodeWarrior.
In the midst of this ever-increasing complexity, Tom Thompson, a BYTE senior technical editor and an Associate Apple Developer, has written a simple and wonderful book, Power Macintosh Programming Starter Kit. ``Simple'' describes its clea
r and concise coverage of program development for the PowerPC. ``Wonderful'' characterizes Thompson's ability to explain the sometimes subtle distinctions between developing for a 680x0 Mac and the new Power Mac.
Power Macintosh Programming Starter Kit lets you immediately start producing your first Power Mac applications. It includes a CD-ROM that contains a limited version of the Metrowerks CodeWarrior C compiler and debugger that runs on both 680x0 and Power Macs. With it, you can build and test all the sample programs in the book.
At first glance, this book may seem a little too basic. It starts by providing a brief history of the Mac and sets the stage for where the PowerPC fits into the environment. Next, several chapters walk you through Metrowerks CodeWarrior and help you build your first application in that environment. Don't, however, be deceived. It is rare to find a programming book that uses Process Manager calls as a beginning example. Even the second example, a simple text-munging
application, manages to stay interesting by introducing the Core Apple Events set and implementing a drag-and-drop interface. In short, these may be toy demonstration programs, but Thompson has made the effort to ensure they fully comply with Apple development and user-interface guidelines.
This attention to detail can be found throughout the book. Through simple examples, you'll work through the Code Fragment manager, build fat binaries (i.e., programs that can run in native mode on both 680x0 and Power Macs), and patch system-level traps. At no point during the process will you feel lost or out of your depth. The book eases you into deeper waters, where you suddenly discover to your delight that you know how to swim. Closing chapters include high- and low-level debugging techniques, porting considerations, and listings of all the sample programs (also included on the CD-ROM).
If you are new to programming and you have just purchased a Power Mac, Power Macintosh Programming Starter Kit will he
lp you through your first applications. It will also guide you deeper into the Mac Toolbox than most ``getting started'' programming books. If you're a seasoned Mac developer, pick up a copy, too. The chapters on building fat binaries and patching PowerPC Toolbox calls alone are worth the price.
Raymond GA Cote is a BYTE consulting editor and vice president of product development at Appropriate Solutions (Peterborough, NH).
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