
Application Issues
Creating Unique Application Symbols and Names
There are a number of names and symbols (such as application symbols, package names, and soup names) that need to be unique among applications. There is a mechanism for avoiding conflict:
- Each developer should register a signature (usually a company name) with Apple Computer, Inc.
The symbols or strings that must be unique end with a colon (:) and then a particular unique portion of the signature. Such a scheme guarantees signature uniqueness; each developer can generate unique symbols and names for every product developed (for example, "ProductA:Signature" and "ProductB:Signature").
Here are some examples that utilize the registered signature "Calliope". These are the symbols and names that must be unique to a particular application.
- Application symbol
- Among other things, there is a slot in the root view with this symbol value that points at the base view of the application. For example,
'|Bookstore:Calliope|
.
- Package name
- A string that distinguishes this package from all others. For example,
"Bookstore:Calliope"
.
- Soup name
- For example,
"Bookstore:Calliope"
.
- System soup tag
- Any preferences data an application stores is stored in the "System" soup with a
tag
slot containing a unique string. The user won't normally see this. For example, "Bookstore:Calliope"
.
- Extra slots in existing soups
- When an application wants to add a slot to entries in the "Names" soup, for instance, it would create a frame with its application symbol. You then add data to that frame. For example,
'|Bookstore:Calliope|
.
- Routing formats
- Applications that support printing or faxing add a frame to the root view. For example,
'|Bookstore:Calliope|
.
To register your unique signature with Apple Computer, Inc., you will need the following information:
- Name
- Contact person
- Mailing address
- Phone
- E-mail address
- Desired signature, first choice
- Desired signature, second choice
Send the information to:
newtondev@newton.apple.com
or:
Newton SysOp
c/o: Apple Computer, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop, M/S 305-2A
Cupertino, CA 95014
An online version of Programming for the Newton using Macintosh, 2nd ed. ©1996, 1994, Julie McKeehan and Neil Rhodes.
Last modified: 1 DEC 1996