This is COWS Object Library.rtf in view mode; [Download] [Up]
Copyright © 1994 by Guus C. Bloemsma COWS Object Library COWS Version 1.4 Guus C. Bloemsma May 29, 1994 The COWS Object Library provides one function that allows direct control of Objective-C objects. The Object Library is still experimental and liable to change. General workings and restrictions The Object Library allows sending a message to any object. Any Objective-C message can be sent as long as it doesn't use reference parameters or composite types (arrays or structures). Types The following Objective-C types are supported as value parameters or result: - unsigned or signed char, short, int or long - char* - id - class - selector When passing char*, make sure that the message doesn't change the pointed-to string. This might confuse COWS, or even crash the whole application. A char is interpreted as a truth value. Literal data When passing id, class or SEL values, you can simply use a string that holds the name of the selector or class. Where an id is expected, the name is converted using NXGetNamedObject() with NXApp as the owner. See Digital Librarian for details of NXGetNamedObject(). A number is cast to a pointer to the object, class or selector. This allows you to pass NULL as 0. This doesn't make sense for classes or selectors of course. As a special case, the object the message is sent to, is first assumed to be an id. If this is not the case it is taken to be a class. Hint: make sure that .nib files are loaded with withNames:YES. Results Return values of type id, class or SEL are stored as numbers and, therefore, will print as such. They can be used, though, as parameters to subsequent Objective-C messages. Object Library Function Name to Sends the Objective-C message to object-or-class passing 0 or more parameters and returning the result of the message. (to object-or-class message parameters¼)
These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Netfuture.ch.