Working with AppleEvent Descriptors

- Archaic Commands
  - tclAE::build
  - tclAE::disposeDesc
  - tclAE::print

This page describes Tcl® calls that are no longer necessary but are retained to support legacy code. There is no reason to use these calls in new code. For information on the associated ToolBox calls and data structures, see INSIDE MACINTOSH: Interapplication Communication.

# Archaic Commands

## `tclAE::build`

Tcl wrapper for AEGizmosÕ `AEBuild` call. This call is largely still present for legacy reasons, since an AEDesc and an AEGizmo are interchangeable from the perspective of the Tcl programmer. One use of this call is for debugging; you can use `tclAE::build` to confirm that an AEGizmo will build before you use in production code. Otherwise, you don't really need it.

### Synopsis

`tclAE::build AEGizmo`

### Result

New `AEDesc`.

### Description

Build an `AEDesc` from an `AEGizmo` string.

Alpha users: This is not to be confused with Alpha's old (and still existing) `AEBuild` call. Pete combined the functions of `AEBuild` and `AESend`, but it now makes sense to distinguish them.

## `tclAE::disposeDesc`

Tcl wrapper for ToolBox `AEDisposeDesc` call. There is no particular need to call this any longer. Tcl garbage will dispose of AEDescs for you, but there is no harm in disposing of it earlier if you are done with it.

### Synopsis

`tclAE::disposeDesc theAEDesc`

### Result

None.

### Description

The specified `AEDesc` is disposed of and its hash key is deleted.

## `tclAE::print`

Tcl wrapper for AEGizmos `AEPrint` call. This call is only still present for legacy reasons, since an AEDesc and an AEGizmo are interchangeable from the perspective of the Tcl programmer.

### Synopsis

`tclAE::print anAEDesc`

### Result

`AEGizmo` string representation of `anAEDesc`.

### Description

`anAEDesc` is passed through AEGizmosÕ `AEPrint`.

Copyright © 1999Ð2003 Jonathan E. Guyer. All rights reserved.

Last modified Monday, March 3, 2003 11:52:02 PM