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The HyperTalk QuickRef Stack

The HyperTalk Reference stack that comes with HyperCard is very complete. But sometimes it's too much. Too slow, too large, too hard to handle. Sometimes all you want is a quick reminder of a command's syntax.

The HyperTalk QuickRef is a stack I put together for times I just want syntax and a quick description of a language element, in a small window that fits into the corner of the screen. There's a card for each command, function, property, message, and keyword in HyperCard 2.4. For each language element, the stack provides:

• syntax description
• cross-reference to related elements
• button link to this element's card in the HyperTalk Reference (in case you need more information)
• page reference to the page of HyperTalk 2.2: The Book where this element is discussed in detail

There's also:

• a button to install a quickRef handler in your Home stack
• a Print button so you can make a cheat-sheet for any set of language elements you choose
• a handler that minimizes the stack when you click in the top part of the window, showing only the syntax line
• plus a darned cute interactive ASCII chart. (All programming references have an ASCII chart somewhere. I believe it's a Federal regulation.)

The HyperTalk QuickRef stack is freeware. You can find it on America Online and on the usual FTP sites, or download (78K) it now. (Some browsers don't handle MacBinary files properly. If you have any trouble, try downloading this binhexed version (112K) instead.)

The information in the stack is distilled from HyperTalk 2.2: The Book by Dan Winkler, Scot Kamins, and Jeanne DeVoto, with additional information for HyperCard 2.3-2.4.

Jeanne A. E. DeVoto jaed@jaedworks.com