Converting HC stack to Rev-Compatibility issue

Deploying to Mac OS? Ask Mac OS specific questions here.

Moderators: FourthWorld, heatherlaine, Klaus, kevinmiller, robinmiller

Post Reply
Lynn P.
Posts: 79
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:09 pm

Converting HC stack to Rev-Compatibility issue

Post by Lynn P. » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:07 pm

Hi everyone,

I've got a question regarding compatibility.
A bit of the background...

I am currently converting an old Hypercard accounting type application using Rev Studio v2.8.1. and OS X10.4.
It has a large number of cards (around 3000) as the HC stack acted as the database.

I am concurrently in the "designing on paper" stage of a new app in Rev that will use sqlite as the database, but in the meantime... I need this old HC stack to run asap as a Rev app, using Rev as the database as a sort of transitory app.
The HC stack is currently running on an old iMac running OS 10.4 utilizing Classic. This iMac is dying a slow and painful death, so the transitory Rev app is to (hopefully) run on a new Intel iMac running OS 10.5.

My question is...
Can Rev v2.8.1 be used to create this transitory Rev app (on a non-Intel Mac running OS 10.4) which will then run on a new Intel Mac running Leopard... if I'm not utilizing any of the new Rev features of the latest version? (** NOTE: This app will run in the Rev v2.8.1 environment if possible and not be a StandAlone). I would *love* to upgrade my Rev Studio, but need to put it on hold if possible for a short time, just for this transitory conversion.

Thanks for any info on this. :-)

Lynn P.

Mark
Livecode Opensource Backer
Livecode Opensource Backer
Posts: 5150
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:24 pm
Contact:

Post by Mark » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:51 pm

Hi Lynn,

Rev 2.8.1 will run fine on OSX 10.5. It will just look a little wird, but it will run normally.

Best,

Mark
The biggest LiveCode group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livecode.developers
The book "Programming LiveCode for the Real Beginner"! Get it here! http://tinyurl.com/book-livecode

Lynn P.
Posts: 79
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:09 pm

Post by Lynn P. » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:01 pm

Mark wrote:Hi Lynn,

Rev 2.8.1 will run fine on OSX 10.5. It will just look a little wird, but it will run normally.

Best,

Mark
Thanks Mark. That's a relief, as I just needed a little breathing room, cost wise.
I have read about the metal texture issues since that is no longer part of Leopard, but what other interface objects "look a little weird"? Anything glaring I should watch out for such as common objects I should change right off the bat?
Thanks much for the info. :D

Lynn P.

Mark
Livecode Opensource Backer
Livecode Opensource Backer
Posts: 5150
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:24 pm
Contact:

Post by Mark » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:30 pm

Hi Lynn,

Palette windows get a blue shade and metal windows are rendered strangely. I think that drag & drop crashes in 2.8.1. You might find more bugs specific to 2.8.1. in the QCC.

Best,

Mark
The biggest LiveCode group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livecode.developers
The book "Programming LiveCode for the Real Beginner"! Get it here! http://tinyurl.com/book-livecode

Lynn P.
Posts: 79
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:09 pm

Post by Lynn P. » Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:04 pm

Thanks Mark... thankfully, no drag 'n drop, metal properties or palette windows in this transition stack. I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks again.

Lynn P. :)

mwieder
VIP Livecode Opensource Backer
VIP Livecode Opensource Backer
Posts: 3581
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:36 am
Contact:

Post by mwieder » Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:50 am

Lynn-

You shouldn't have any problems with this, but the general rule of thumb is to compact the HC stack in Hypercard three times before loading the stack into rev. When you bring the HC stack into rev the hcAdressing property will be set to preserve compatibility. This isn't something that you'll need to worry about right now, but later on when you get around to doing things the rev way instead of the HyperCard way you'll want to be aware of this.

Oh - and XCMDs and XFCNs obviously won't make the transition.

...and just a word of warning... the stack will probably run much faster in rev, so you may have to put in some wait commands if you don't want to startle your users... <g>

Lynn P.
Posts: 79
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:09 pm

Post by Lynn P. » Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:07 pm

mwieder wrote: You shouldn't have any problems with this, but the general rule of thumb is to compact the HC stack in Hypercard three times before loading the stack into rev.
Thanks "other" Mark. <g>
I have used Rev for a while now and have converted other HC stacks so I'm aware of some of the caveats, but I haven't converted a stack that acted as such a huge database before. Even though this is just an interim app, I do need to consider speed issues that make a big impact.
I was not aware however of the need for compacting three times. I've only compacted one time, before importing into Rev. Nice to know. Thanks!
mwieder wrote: ...and just a word of warning... the stack will probably run much faster in rev, so you may have to put in some wait commands if you don't want to startle your users... <g>
So far, I haven't found this to be true but maybe it's due to my inefficient scripting. LOL! Actually, since this will be run on a much faster machine, your point is a good one and I'll keep an eye out for that as well.

Thanks for your suggestions Mark ~
Lynn P.

Post Reply