Note: The
software mentioned on this page is woefully obsolete and not designed
for OS X programming. I've left this page up
for those who are looking for Macintosh application generators for OS 9
and under. I
don't plan on
updating this page, so broken links will probably stay broken. -FH
Application Generators
Writing Macintosh applications is not always fun or easy! Most Mac programmers eventually write their own application shell or framework; this is usually a collection of routines that do the required initializations, event handling, etc.
Another way of approaching the problem is to let someone else do the dirty work for you.
Apple has MacApp, a powerful object oriented application framework that has been in use for many years. It has a steep learning curve, but once mastered, a programmer can usually produce complex programs quickly.
There are also several commercial application frameworks and libraries (TCL and PowerPlant) that simplify the process of making a "full featured" Macintosh application. One of the drawbacks of all of these products is that you have to work with and within the objects defined by the framework.
Application interface generators allow the programmer to design "boiler plate" applications, with all the usual Macintosh features - menus, windows, dialog boxes, etc. without having to write any code. Once the application looks right, the programmer tells the interface generator to generate the interface code. The programmer then has to program the features that made the program unique, working with (and around) the code generated by the interface generator.
In the early 90's, the two main Application Interface Generators (or GUI generators) were AppMaker and Marksman. AppMaker was the most popular of the two systems and it generates good, compact code. Marksman also generated good code, but just couldn't win the commercial battle against AppMaker. The author (George R. Cossey) decided to release a free version of Marksman, which he called Gooey...which no longer seems to be supported or available.
Application Frameworks and Libraries
TranSkel is one of the earliest and most complete Macintosh application frameworks. While TransSkel doesn't come with an interface generator, it does come with source code for all of the libraries and has excellent documentation. TransSkel is very well supported and maintained and has the feel of a commercial framework.
It's pretty easy to whip up a solid, complete application with TransSkel, and using TransSkel only adds a tiny increase to your code's size, and no appreciable speed difference.
Sprockets is a framework supported and maintained by MacTech (a great magazine, btw). I haven't used it beyond the first versions. One powerful plus for Sprockets is that it has always supported the latest Apple System features.
AppsToGo Was another framework designed at Apple. Its current URL seems to have gotten lost in the constant reshuffling of the Apple Web pages.
Tools Plus is a commercial application framework library, similar in use to TransSkel. Written by Water's Edge Software , it covers far more territory than TransSkel, and goes a long way towards making Mac programming easy, fast and relatively painless. Tools Plus works, and keeps pace with, the latest versions of the Metrowerks C/C++/Pascal compilers.
The package includes a demo application with toolbars, floating windows, lists, controls, edit fields, buttons - the works - and complete source code, which makes it a great way to learn how to use Tools Plus. The current version is an improvement over previous versions, and can now handle Offscreen bitmaps and resources. The main disadvantages of Tools Plus are the lack of source code for the libraries and the cost, which is not free, although they have a great $99 offer for educational users. I think that Tools Plus it's well worth the price; it really is a time saver.
The Tools Plus folks ask that the fully functional libraries in the demo be used for no more than 30 days before paying for the complete version. Sounds (and is) reasonable.
Other Shells & related links
I've only tried a few of the following shells and frameworks. Thanks to Jon Benton, who suggested that I add them to the page.
MADE - Macintosh Application Development Essentials MADE is a collection of C/C++ code that provides all the low level needs of a Macintosh application.
WinterShell This is a collection of code from different shells woven into a single framework.
MacZoop is a tiny C++ framework with PICT, Text and Drag & Drop support.
DropShell A Shell for developing Drag & Drop applications. Works very well.MacApp
Sprockets FTP page
Tools Plus
The MacHack Home Page
REALBASIC
Chipmunk Basic Home Page
MacTech Magazine
Writing Macintosh applications is not always fun or easy! Most Mac programmers eventually write their own application shell or framework; this is usually a collection of routines that do the required initializations, event handling, etc.
Another way of approaching the problem is to let someone else do the dirty work for you.
Apple has MacApp, a powerful object oriented application framework that has been in use for many years. It has a steep learning curve, but once mastered, a programmer can usually produce complex programs quickly.
There are also several commercial application frameworks and libraries (TCL and PowerPlant) that simplify the process of making a "full featured" Macintosh application. One of the drawbacks of all of these products is that you have to work with and within the objects defined by the framework.
Application interface generators allow the programmer to design "boiler plate" applications, with all the usual Macintosh features - menus, windows, dialog boxes, etc. without having to write any code. Once the application looks right, the programmer tells the interface generator to generate the interface code. The programmer then has to program the features that made the program unique, working with (and around) the code generated by the interface generator.
In the early 90's, the two main Application Interface Generators (or GUI generators) were AppMaker and Marksman. AppMaker was the most popular of the two systems and it generates good, compact code. Marksman also generated good code, but just couldn't win the commercial battle against AppMaker. The author (George R. Cossey) decided to release a free version of Marksman, which he called Gooey...which no longer seems to be supported or available.
Application Frameworks and Libraries
TranSkel is one of the earliest and most complete Macintosh application frameworks. While TransSkel doesn't come with an interface generator, it does come with source code for all of the libraries and has excellent documentation. TransSkel is very well supported and maintained and has the feel of a commercial framework.
It's pretty easy to whip up a solid, complete application with TransSkel, and using TransSkel only adds a tiny increase to your code's size, and no appreciable speed difference.
Sprockets is a framework supported and maintained by MacTech (a great magazine, btw). I haven't used it beyond the first versions. One powerful plus for Sprockets is that it has always supported the latest Apple System features.
AppsToGo Was another framework designed at Apple. Its current URL seems to have gotten lost in the constant reshuffling of the Apple Web pages.
Tools Plus is a commercial application framework library, similar in use to TransSkel. Written by Water's Edge Software , it covers far more territory than TransSkel, and goes a long way towards making Mac programming easy, fast and relatively painless. Tools Plus works, and keeps pace with, the latest versions of the Metrowerks C/C++/Pascal compilers.
The package includes a demo application with toolbars, floating windows, lists, controls, edit fields, buttons - the works - and complete source code, which makes it a great way to learn how to use Tools Plus. The current version is an improvement over previous versions, and can now handle Offscreen bitmaps and resources. The main disadvantages of Tools Plus are the lack of source code for the libraries and the cost, which is not free, although they have a great $99 offer for educational users. I think that Tools Plus it's well worth the price; it really is a time saver.
The Tools Plus folks ask that the fully functional libraries in the demo be used for no more than 30 days before paying for the complete version. Sounds (and is) reasonable.
Other Shells & related links
I've only tried a few of the following shells and frameworks. Thanks to Jon Benton, who suggested that I add them to the page.
MADE - Macintosh Application Development Essentials MADE is a collection of C/C++ code that provides all the low level needs of a Macintosh application.
WinterShell This is a collection of code from different shells woven into a single framework.
MacZoop is a tiny C++ framework with PICT, Text and Drag & Drop support.
DropShell A Shell for developing Drag & Drop applications. Works very well.MacApp
Sprockets FTP page
Tools Plus
The MacHack Home Page
REALBASIC
Chipmunk Basic Home Page
MacTech Magazine