MakePerlDroplet

Table of Contents

1. Status of MakePerlDroplet
2. What is MakePerlDroplet?
3. How do I install it?
4. Known bugs and limitations
5. Comments & bug reports
6. MakePerlDroplet Release Notes
7. License
8. Download MakePerlDroplet

1. Status of MakePerlDroplet

At some point, MakePerlDroplet was working in the Classic environment of OS X (under Panther or Tiger). Currently, it is not working for me under Tiger. I don't know if my Classic environment is damaged or if "improvements" in Applescript have broken the code. I had planned to open the code base, but I don't have confidence that I have the original source code. I will continue to distribute the original MakePerlDroplet package in the hopes that it might have value to someone. Since OS 9 and the Classic environment have essentially reached the end of their lives, there is little need for MakePerlDroplet.

The following documentation is dated (especially section 4), but represent the best documentation available for MakePerlDroplet.

2. What is MakePerlDroplet?

MakePerlDroplet is an AppleScript droplet that directs MacPerl to check the syntax of a Perl script and compile the script as a droplet. If there are syntax errors, they will be displayed in the "MacPerl" window and the script will not be compiled.

The droplet's name is taken from the name of the script. Specifically, the name is everything before the first period in the script's name (/^([^.]+)/). Thus, script names must contain a period beyond the first character. (Note that it is a bad idea to name Mac files with a leading period.) As an example, dropping the perl script "script.pl" on MakePerlDroplet will produce a droplet named "script". MakePerlDroplet will only build one droplet at a time.

3. How do I install it?

Download the file "mpd.hqx" and unpack it with Stuffit Expander, The Unarchiver, or a similar application. The file is a "BinHex" encoded, Stuffit archive; this format is used for the convenience of those running Mac OS 8 and 9. You will need AppleScript and MacPerl installed to use it. See their respective documentation for their installation instructions.

4. Known bugs and limitations

This section is no longer correct; please see section 1.

All known bugs have been addressed.

MakePerlDroplet has now been tested with the released versions of MacPerl 5.2.0r4 - 5.6.1r2 and on a variety of Macs running MacOS 8, MacOS 9, and Classic mode in Mac OS X.

5. Comments & bug reports

Comments and bug reports are appreciated; I can be reached through my contact page.

6. MakePerlDroplet Release Notes

Version 1.0 (20 July 1998)

Initial public release

7. License

A text file accompanying MakePerlDroplet details the terms of distribution of MakePerlDroplet. Simply stated, you are free to use it and you can give away the entire package that I distribute as long as I am credited as the author. You may not use it to make money without my permission.