[MacPerl] PerlSlinger Alpha 2

[Chilton <chilton@tca.net>]

PerlSlinger has not entered the beta stage yet, but the Alpha 2 version 
doesn't require SuperCard, it's a standalone app now. Alpha stage, at 
least for me, implies that there are probably a sizeable quantity of 
problems with the product, and it should be handled only by the very 
brave.

PerlSlinger is *NOT* a replacement for MacPerl, or for BBEdit for that 
matter. It *IS* a tool that may help you put together Perl scripts faster 
and easier. It features imbedded FTP capabilities, as well as an HTML 
Form builder to help facilitate tighter integration. There are bugs with 
the software, but I'm posting it here just in case any brave souls want 
to try it out. Here's a list of features for this release:

(long)

1. Color the comments red, color the subroutines light blue, spotlight a 
certain piece of text, dim another piece of text. Currently, you can't 
pick your own colors, and you must keep comments on separate lines if you 
want them colored. And it's not automatic, but it's there if you need it.
2. Drop-in code. If you want to, you can place your own code snippets
in the 'Custom' or 'Building Blocks' folders, and the toolbar will allow 
you
to select and drop that code into the current document.  Or you can use 
the File:Import function.
3. Templates for 'For', 'While', and 'Foreach' make it easy to just fill 
in the
blanks. Templates for all Perl functions will be added in the future, but 
I always end up
using these three, so it's all I bothered to add. If you can figure out 
my highly complex method for adding additional templates, you can do this 
yourself. Ok, it's not highly complex.
4. A running tally of all variables, arrays, and subroutines makes it 
easy to wire your perl script together without typos, capitalization 
errors, etc. An obvious omission is hash tables, which I just plain 
forgot to include.
5. The Find engine will display all found instances of any string, in a 
separate floating palette window. Alternatively, you can search the 
Internet if you have OS8 and Internet Config.
6. Undo -- Obviously, this undoes the last thing you did. And it's 
probably pretty flakey.
7. Line numbers to illuminate your way.
8. Jump To... allows you to jump to a particular line. Jump to 
Subroutine... allows you to jump to a particular subroutine. I may turn 
this into a drop-down menu at some point in the future.
9. Multi-line select. Want to make sure you're grabbing only the correct 
lines?
Shift+clicking on a line number will do it.
10. Comment/Uncomment allows you to instantly comment out portions of your
code for debugging, or uncomment other portions.
11. HTML Helpers can be added that will simply print the line number. 
This is for debugging only, and don't forget that you'll need to print 
the header info before you can print anything.
12. Run in MacPerl. PerlSlinger is just the authoring environment, it is 
not a full
Perl compiler/debugger by any means. I have left the hard part (the Perl 
engine) to 
MacPerl. However, you can run your perl scripts via MacPerl from 
PerlSlinger. 
12. Run this selection. This will take the selected portion of your code 
and run it in MacPerl. Good for figuring out where you screwed up.
13. Open the MacPerl folder. Hey, sometimes you want to do this, and you 
can't remember where you put it.
14. Look this up in Shuck. You can now reference things from the POD 
reader, Shuck.
15. Reliance on raw AppleEvents means that you can run both MacPerl and 
PerlSlinger at the same time, on a Mac with extensions OFF, and the two 
work just as well as when extensions are on. Had I used on AppleScript, 
this would not be possible. DON'T USE THE FTP ENGINE WITH EXTENSIONS OFF 
OUR YOU'LL CRASH YOUR MAC.
16. The "Slinger" will allow you to create scripts without using the 
keyboard. Actually, you should use the keyboard, but if you just use the 
arrowkeys, you can build a lot of scripts. You'll be able to build more 
as I increase the number of templates for Slinger. Template suggestions 
welcome.
17. The HTML Form Builder will make short order of building HTML forms 
and their corresponding perl engines.
18. An embedded FTP engine allows you to upload and download your html 
and your perl scripts. Don't forget to use the 'Re-Insert Linefeeds' menu 
item before uploading to a PC, or it'll choke. Now you don't have to use 
two programs (editor and ftp).
19. Open Recent Documents will allow you to open the recent documents 
folder from within PerlSlinger. Ditto with launching programs via the 
Recent Applications button.
20. ToolTips show you what the various tips do. Just pass the cursor over 
them and a little yellow box will appear.
21. Multiple windows and a more complex file format. Yeah, I know this is 
standard fare for most Mac apps, but until this release, it was alien to 
PerlSlinger.

And lastly, you'll need a copy of MacPerl on the same drive as the 
PerlSlinger app to run perl scripts locally. If you're just running your 
scripts on the server, you don't need it, but I'd suggest having it 
around if for no other reason than to run it & see if it has errors.

Ok, that's about it. If you have any questions, bug finds (I expect a lot 
of these) , or especially suggestions, please email me privately at 
chilton@tca.net.

oh, and here's the download URL:
http://www.webbtoys.com/PerlSlinger/PerlSlingerAlpha2.sit.hqx

-Chilton Webb

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