🚀 go-pugleaf

What can I say.  Beginning programming on the Mac is one of the hardest things that
I've ever done.  I started a year ago with Think C.  I had no C experience and no
idea how the toolbox worked.  I came up with a simple project that both myself and
a buddy felt like doing (he had some C experience, but was a COMPLETE newbie to the
Mac).  I sat down and *read* Inside Mac.  A relatively masochistic prospect to be
sure.  But by the end of the weekend, we had a really cheesy program that flew a ship
around the screen.  No one else was impressed, but we were proud as petunias.

To begin with, you may want to stick to Pascal, pointers in C can really give you a
headache if you don't have anyone to show you.  BUT DON'T EVER IGNORE THE LOW-LEVEL
PROSPECTS OF C AND ASSEMBLER.  They allow full access to toolbox as well as being able
do all sorts of optimization tricks.

Mac's aren't forgiving to beginner programmers.  You shouldn't cop out with
standard output routines, putline etc.  unless you're trying to test other routines
like keyboard input.  Keep an eye out for programming guides, even if they were
written for the original Mac's 128 and 512.  Most of the basic concepts are the
same.

So get Inside Mac (the new ones if possible) and lock yourself in your room for a
few days.  If you have any sort of desire for this at all you should come out with
a whole new respect for the toolbox routines.  I think that the best way to learn
is to throw yourself at the mercy of the machine.

Good Luck, the world always needs another good Mac programmer,
-dete

BTW- I have spare copies of InsideMac Vol 1-3 if you want 'em.  Mail me if interested.


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"Sorry, can I interrupt you for a moment, Peter, and say that the sofa has
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