This converted text file was derived from a Mac HyperTalk - HyperCard Properties DA. It's presented for reference use with HyperCard stack conversions needs from the Mac to the IIgs. That's all Folks :) MacProber ---------------------------------------- HyperTalk Properties x[ set [the] autoHilite of button  to trueOrFalse The autoHilite property returns or sets whether a button highlights automatically in response to a mouseDown event. With check boxes and radio buttons, autoHilite determines whether the button can change from deselected to selected and vice versa. ---------------------------------------- set [the] autoTab of field to  trueOrFalse The autoTab property returns or sets whether HyperCard inserts a return character when the insertion point is on the last line of a field (autoTab is false) or moves the insertion point to the next editable field on the card (autoTab is true). Note: Auto tabbing does not work with scrolling fields. ---------------------------------------- set [the] blindTyping to trueOrFalse The blindTyping global property returns or sets whether you can type into the Message box and send messages from it even when it is not visible. Blind typing is available only if the user level is set to Scripting (5). ---------------------------------------- the bottom of card set [the] bottom of button to integer set [the] bottom of field to integer set [the] bottom of window to integer The bottom property returns or sets an integer equal to item 4 of an objectÕs rectangle. If you set the bottom of an object, it moves vertically. The size of the object remains the same. You canÕt set the bottom of cards: use the rect, height, or width properties to resize the cards in a stack. ---------------------------------------- the bottomRight of card set [the] bottomRight of button  to point set [the] bottomRight of field  to point set [the] bottomRight of window  to point The bottomRight property returns or sets a point equal to items 3 and 4 of an objectÕs rectangle. If you set the bottomRight of an object, it moves. The size of the object remains the same. ---------------------------------------- set [the] brush to posInteger ...where posInteger is from 1 to 32. The brush property returns or sets the current brush shape used by the Brush tool. The value of the brush property can be an integer from 1 to 32 representing a brush shape from the Brush Shape dialog box. The default brush is 8. ---------------------------------------- set [the] cantAbort of stack  to trueOrFalse The cantAbort property returns or sets whether users can type -. (-period) to stop any running hanlders. It corresponds to the CanÕt Abort check box in the Protect Stack dialog box. Use cantAbort to prevent users from cancelling certain critical operations that would leave a stack in a confusing or dangerous state. ---------------------------------------- set [the] cantDelete of card  to trueOrFalse set [the] cantDelete of bkgnd  to trueOrFalse set [the] cantDelete of stack  to trueOrFalse The cantDelete property returns or sets whether a user can delete a specified card, background, or stack. It corresponds to the CanÕt Delete check box in the Card Info, Background Info, and Protect Stack dialog boxes. ---------------------------------------- set [the] cantModify of stack  to trueOrFalse The cantModify property returns or sets whether a stack can be changed in any way. It corresponds to the CanÕt Modify check box in the Protect Stack dialog box. Setting the cantModify of a stack to true selects both the CanÕt Modify Stack check box and the CanÕt Delete Stack check box in the Protect Stack dialog box. When cantModify is true, a padlock appears in the menu bar. ---------------------------------------- set [the] cantPeek of stack  to trueOrFalse The cantPeek property returns or sets whether users can press -Option or -Shift-Option to peek at the location of buttons and fields and use the -Option shortcuts for accessing scripts. It corresponds to the CanÕt Peek option in the Protect Stack dialog box. ---------------------------------------- set [the] centered to trueOrFalse The centered property returns or sets whether HyperCard draws shapes from the center rather than a corner. It corresponds to the Centered command in the Options menu (which appears when you select a Paint tool). The centered property affects the Line, Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Oval, and Regular Polygon tools. Its default value is false. ---------------------------------------- set [the] checkMark of menuItem of  menu to trueOrFalse The checkMark property returns or sets whether a check mark character appears in front of a menu item. It uses the character numToChar(18) as the default check mark character. ---------------------------------------- set [the] commandChar of menuItem  of menu to char The commandChar property returns or sets the character used as the -key equivalent for a menu item. If the menu item has no -key equivalent, the property returns empty. Otherwise, it returns the character. ---------------------------------------- set [the] cursor to cursor The cursor property sets the image that appears as the pointer on the screen. You cannot get the current value of the cursor. HyperCard provides a number of built-in cursors that you can use. (HyperCard automatically resets the cursor to the image for the current tool on idleÑwhen no other action is happening.) ---------------------------------------- set [the] debugger to debuggerName The debugger property returns the name of the current HyperTalk debugger. The default value of this property is "ScriptEditor", the name of HyperCardÕs built-in editor and debugger (the built-in editor and debugger are integrated). ---------------------------------------- set [the] dontSearch of field  to trueOrFalse set [the] dontSearch of card  to trueOrFalse set [the] dontSearch of bkgnd  to trueOrFalse The dontSearch property returns or sets whether HyperCardÕs find command will look for matches in a field, card, or background. It corresponds to the DonÕt Search check box in the Field Info, Card Info, and Background Info dialog boxes. ---------------------------------------- set [the] dontWrap of field  to trueOrFalse The dontWrap property returns or sets whether a field wraps text that is longer than the width of the field or instead truncates the text at the right edge of the field (in HyperTalk, a return character determines a line). It corresponds to the DonÕt Wrap option in a Field Info dialog box. ---------------------------------------- set [the] dragSpeed to posInteger The dragSpeed property returns or sets how many pixels per second the pointer will move when manipulated by all subsequent drag commands. Use 0 to drag as fast as possible. The dragSpeed affects all of the paint tools except the Bucket and Text tools. On idle, HyperCard resets the dragSpeed to 0. ---------------------------------------- set [the] editBkgnd to trueOrFalse The editBkgnd property returns or sets the layer where new painting or new buttons and fields will appearÐÐin the card layer or in the background layer. It corresponds to the Background command in the Edit menu, and itÕs available only when the user level is Painting (3) or higher. The default setting is false, meaning the card layer. ---------------------------------------- set the enabled of menu  to trueOrFalse set [the] enabled of menuItem  of menu to trueOrFalse The enabled property returns or sets whether a menu item or a menu is active or inactive (dimmed). Users cannot choose dimmed menu items. If you set the enabled of a menu to false, all items on the menu become inactive. ---------------------------------------- set [the] filled to trueOrFalse The filled property returns or sets whether HyperCard fills shapes with the current pattern on the Patterns palette as you draw them. It corresponds to the Filled command in the Options menu (which appears when you select a Paint tool). The default value is false. ---------------------------------------- set [the] fixedLineHeight of field  to trueOrFalse The fixedLineHeight property returns or sets whether a field has uniform line height or varies the line height of each line according to largest font size that appears in the line. It corresponds to the Fixed Line Height check box in a Field Info dialog box. ---------------------------------------- the freeSize of stack The freeSize property returns the amount of free space, in bytes, in the specified stack. (Free space is created in a stack each time you add or delete an object or graphics.) To set the freeSize property to 0, you must choose Compact Stack from the File menu or use the command: doMenu "Compact Stack",from a handler or the Message box. ---------------------------------------- set [the] grid to trueOrFalse The grid property returns or sets whether HyperCard constrains the movement of many Paint tools to eight-pixel intervals. It corresponds to the Grid command in the Options menu (which appears when you select a Paint tool). The default value is false. ---------------------------------------- the height of window set [the] height of button to integer set [the] height of field to integer set [the] height of card to integer The height property returns or sets an integer equal to the height in pixels of an object. Setting the height of a button or field resizes it. HyperCard maintains the location (center coordinate) of the object, expanding or shrinking it on both sides evenly. ---------------------------------------- set [the] hilite of button  to trueOrFalse The hilite property returns or sets whether a button is highlighted (shown in inverse video). With check boxes and radio buttons, hilite determines whether the button is selected. ---------------------------------------- set [the] icon of button  to posInteger set [the] icon of button  to text ...where text is the name of an icon. The icon property returns or sets the icon displayed by a button. Setting it is the same as choosing an icon from the Button Info dialog box. HyperCard sets the function the result to "Can't find that icon." if it canÕt find the icon (otherwise the result is empty). ---------------------------------------- the ID of button the ID of field the ID of card the ID of bkgnd The ID property returns the permanent ID number of any button, field, card, or background in the current stack. You canÕt change the ID number of an object. All objects except stacks have ID numbers. If an object doesnÕt have a name, HyperCard returns the ID instead. ---------------------------------------- set [the] language to resourceName ...where resourceName is a language supported by HyperCard. The language property returns or sets the language in which HyperCard displays scripts. The default setting is English, and itÕs always available. ---------------------------------------- the left of card set [the] left of button to integer set [the] left of field to integer set [the] left of window to integer The left property returns or sets an integer equal to item 1 of an objectÕs rectangle. If you set the left of an object, it moves horizontally. The size of the object remains the same. You canÕt set the left of cards: use the rect, height, or width properties to resize the cards in a stack. ---------------------------------------- set [the] lineSize to posInteger ...where posInteger is 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8. The lineSize property returns or sets the thickness, in pixels, of lines drawn by the Paint tools. It corresponds to the line size in the Line Size dialog from the Options menu (which appears when you select a Paint tool). The lineSize property affects the Line, Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Oval, Curve, Regular Polygon, and Polygon tools. ---------------------------------------- set [the] loc of button to point set [the] loc of field to point set [the] loc of window to point set [the] loc of externalWindow  to point The location property returns or sets the center point of a button or field and the top-left corner of a window. Setting the location of button, field, or window moves it to the new location. ---------------------------------------- set [the] lockMessages to trueOrFalse The lockMessages property returns or sets whether HyperCard sends certain messages automatically. The messages affected are closeCard, closeBackground, closeStack, openCard, openBackground, openStack, resumeStack, and suspendStack. ---------------------------------------- set [the] lockRecent to trueOrFalse The lockRecent property returns or sets whether HyperCard displays minature pictures for the last 40 cards visited by the user (or a handler) in the Recent card dialog box. (LockRecent does not affect the trail of cards you can go back to.) The default setting is false, meaning HyperCard does display minature pictures of the cards visited. ---------------------------------------- set [the] lockScreen to trueOrFalse The lockScreen property returns or sets whether HyperCard updates the screen when you go to another card. You can use lockScreen to prevent the user from seeing cards as a handler goes to them. Locking the screen also prevents show menuBar and hide menuBar from having any effect. The default setting is false. HyperCard sets lockScreen to false on idle. ---------------------------------------- set [the] lockText of field  to trueOrFalse The lockText property returns or sets whether the user can edit the text within a specified field. It corresponds to the Lock Text check box in a Field Info dialog box. The default value is false (meaning the field is unlocked). ---------------------------------------- set the longWindowTitles  to trueOrFalse The longWindowTitles returns or sets whether HyperCard displays the full pathname of a stack in the title bar of all windows that contain stacks. Its default value is false. Commands or properties that reference windows by name will not work once you set the longWindowTitles to true since the name is now the full pathname of a stack. ---------------------------------------- set [the] markChar of menuItem of  menu to char The markChar property returns or sets the character used to mark a menu item. If the item has no mark, the markChar returns empty. Otherwise, it returns the character. Setting the markChar of a menu item to a character also marks the item, that is, sets its checkMark property to true. ---------------------------------------- set [the] marked of card  to trueOrFalse The marked property returns or sets whether a card is marked. It corresponds to the Card Marked check box in a Card Info dialog box. You can operate on the set of marked cards with commands such as print, go, show, and sort. ---------------------------------------- set [the] menuMessage of menuItem  of menu to  "messageName [parameterList ]" The menuMessage property returns or sets the message sent to the current card when the user chooses a menu item from a menu. The menuMessage property returns empty if the menu item has no associated message. ---------------------------------------- set [the] messageWatcher  to resourceName The messageWatcher property returns or sets the name of the external command (or XCMD) that displays the Message Watcher window for tracing scripts. The name of HyperCardÕs message watcher is "MessageWatcher". Third-party developers may supply other message watchers that you can install into HyperCard. ---------------------------------------- set [the] multiple to trueOrFalse The multiple property returns or sets whether HyperCard draws multiple images when the user (or a handler) drags with a Paint tool. It corresponds to the Draw Multiple command in the Options menu (which appears when you select a Paint tool). The multiSpace property affects the number of multiple shapes drawn. ---------------------------------------- set [the] multiSpace to posInteger ...where posInteger is a number from 1 to 100. The multiSpace property returns or sets the minimum amount of space, in pixels, between the edges of multiple shapes drawn when the multiple property is true. ---------------------------------------- the [adjective ] name of object set [the] name of object to text set [the] name of [menuItem of] menu  to text The name property returns or sets the name of a button, field, card, background, stack, menu item, or menu. If the object does not have a name, the name returns the ID of the object instead. ---------------------------------------- the number of button the number of field the number of card the number of bkgnd The number property returns the number of a button, field, card, or background. (You cannot set an objectÕs number.) The number of a button or field determines whether itÕs on top of other buttons and fields within the same layer (background or card) that contains it. Card objects are always on top of background objects. ---------------------------------------- set [the] numberFormat to text ...where text is a valid number format. The numberFormat property returns or sets the precision with which the results of mathematical operations are displayed in fields and the Message box. The following symbols specify the number format: 0 Use one zero for each digit you want to appear. . Use a period to indicate the position of the decimal point, if any. ---------------------------------------- set [the] pattern to posInteger ...where posInteger is from 1 to 40. The pattern property returns or sets the current pattern used to fill shapes or to paint with the Brush tool. If you edit one of the patterns, HyperCard saves the new pattern with stack. ---------------------------------------- set [the] polySides to posInteger ...where posInteger is 0 or a number from 3 to 50. The polySides property returns or sets the number of sides of a polygon created by the Regular Polygon tool. Set polySides to 0 to draw a circle. (You can also select one of six standard polygons by choosing Polygon Sides from the Options menu.) ---------------------------------------- set [the] powerKeys to trueOrFalse The powerKeys property returns or sets whether the you can use keyboard shortcuts for painting actions. HyperCard determines the default setting for powerKeys at startup (and when HyperCard resumes after being suspended) from the Power Keys option on the Preferences card of the Home stack. ---------------------------------------- set [the] printMargins to rect The printMargins property returns or sets the value of the default margin spacing used by the print command. The default value is 0,0,0,0. ---------------------------------------- set the printTextAlign to alignment The printTextAlign property returns or sets the value of the default alignment used by the print command. ---------------------------------------- set the printTextFont to font The printTextFont property returns or sets the value of the default text font used by the print command. ---------------------------------------- set the printTextHeight  to posInteger The printTextHeight property returns or sets the value of the default text height (or line spacing) used by the print command. ---------------------------------------- set the printTextSize to posInteger The printTextSize property returns or sets the value of the default text size (or point size) used by the print command. ---------------------------------------- set the printTextStyle  to textStyleList The printTextStyle property returns or sets the value of the default text style used by the print command. ---------------------------------------- set [the] rect of button to rectangle set [the] rect of field to rectangle set [the] rect of card to rectangle set [the] rect of window to rectangle The rectangle property returns or sets the rectangular coordinates of buttons, fields, cards, and windows. Setting the rectangle of a card changes the size of all the cards in a stack; setting the rectangle of the card window resizes the window, not the card. ---------------------------------------- the reportTemplates of stack The reportTemplates property returns a return-separated list of the names of all report templates in the specified stack. ---------------------------------------- the right of card set [the] right of button to integer set [the] right of field to integer set [the] right of window to integer The right property returns or sets an integer equal to item 3 of an objectÕs rectangle. If you set the right of an object, it moves horizontally. The size of the object remains the same. You canÕt set the right of cards: use the rect, height, or width properties to resize the cards in a stack. ---------------------------------------- set [the] script of object to text The script property returns or sets a text string equal to the script of the specified object in the current stack or the stack script of another stack. When you set the script property with the set command, you replace the existing script entirely. ---------------------------------------- set [the] scriptEditor  to resourceName The scriptEditor property returns or sets the name of the current script editor. The default value of this property is "ScriptEditor", the name of HyperCardÕs built-in editor and debugger (the built-in editor and debugger are integrated). ---------------------------------------- set [the] scriptTextFont  to font The scriptTextFont property returns or sets the font used to display scripts in all the script editor windows. HyperCard uses Monaco as the default font. ---------------------------------------- set [the] scriptTextSize  to posInteger The scriptTextSize property returns or sets the size of font used to display scripts in all the script editor windows. HyperCard uses 9 as the default size. ---------------------------------------- set [the] scroll of field to integer set the scroll of [the] card window  to point For scrolling fields, the scroll property returns or sets which lines of text currently appear (as indicated by the scroll bar). The integer represents the number of pixels that have scrolled above the top of the fieldÕs rectangle. For example, the number of lines scrolled in card field 1 equals the scroll of card field 1 div the textHeight of card field 1. ---------------------------------------- set [the] sharedHilite of button  to trueOrFalse ...where button is a background button only. The sharedHilite property returns or sets whether a background button shares its hilite property with every card in the background. The default value for new buttons is true. ---------------------------------------- set [the] sharedText of field  to trueOrFalse ...where field is a background field only. The sharedText property returns or sets whether a background field displays the same text on every card of the background. The default value for new fields is false, meaning the text in the field can be different on each card. ---------------------------------------- set [the] showLines of field  to trueOrFalse The showLines property returns or sets whether the text baselines of a field appear. It corresponds to the Show Lines check box in a Field Info dialog box. The default value is false (meaning that the baselines are invisible). ---------------------------------------- set [the] showName of button  to trueOrFalse The showName property returns or sets whether HyperCard displays the name of a button (if it has one) within the buttonÕs rectangle. It corresponds to the Show Name check box in a Button Info dialog box. The default value is false (meaning that the name isnÕt shown). ---------------------------------------- set [the] showPict of card  to trueOrFalse set [the] showPict of bkgnd  to trueOrFalse The showPict property returns or sets whether HyperCard shows any graphics or paint text for a card or background. The default value is true, meaning that all graphics and paint appear. ---------------------------------------- the size of stack The size property returns the size the specified stack in bytes. The size property canÕt be changed with the set command. ItÕs changed only by adding and deleting objects and graphics from a stack. You must compact the stack to recover the space occupied by the deleted objects and graphics. ---------------------------------------- the stacksInUse The stacksInUse property returns a return-separated list of stacks inserted into the message-passing order between the current stack and the Home stack. Each stack appears in the order it will receive messages. The stackInUse contains the full pathnames of the stacks being used. HyperCard can use up to 10 stacks. ---------------------------------------- set [the] the style of button  to btnStyle set [the] the style of field  to fldStyle The style property returns or sets the style of button or field. It corresponds to the Style radio buttons in a Button Info or a Field Info dialog box. ---------------------------------------- the suspended The suspended property returns whether HyperCard is currently running in the background under MultiFinder¨. A user can switch from HyperCard to another program while a handler is running and scripts will continue to run in the background. Use the suspended property in a handler to alter the handlerÕs behavior if itÕs running in the backgroundÑfor example, to avoid displaying ask or answer dialog boxes. ---------------------------------------- set [the] textAlign to alignment set [the] textAlign of field  to alignment set [the] textAlign of button  to alignment The textAlign property returns or sets the way Paint text, text in a field, or a button name aligns within its rectangle. It can align left, right, or center. The default value is left. ---------------------------------------- set [the] textArrows to trueOrFalse The textArrows property returns or sets whether the arrow keys move the insertion point in a field or move you through stacks. When the textArrows property is false, the Right Arrow and Left Arrow keys always take you to the next and previous cards in the stack. The Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys take you forward and backward through the cards youÕve already viewed. ---------------------------------------- set [the] textFont to text set [the] textFont of [chunk of]  field to text set [the] textFont of button to text ...where text is the name of a font available from the current stack. The textFont property returns or sets the font of Paint text, text in a field, or a button name. The default value is Geneva for fields and Paint text; the default is Chicago for buttons. ---------------------------------------- set [the] textHeight to posInteger set [the] textHeight of field  to posInteger The textHeight property returns or sets the space, in pixels, between the baselines of Paint text or text in fields. (TextHeight does not apply to buttons because buttons can only display one line of text.) The default value is the value of the textSize property plus one-third of that value. ---------------------------------------- set [the] textSize to posInteger set [the] textSize of [chunk of]  field to posInteger set [the] textSize of button  to posInteger The textSize property returns or sets the size, in pixels, of the font for Paint text, text in a field, or a button name. The default value is 12. ---------------------------------------- set [the] textStyle to textStyleList set [the] textStyle of [chunk of]  field to textStyleList set [the] textStyle of button  to textStyleList set the textStyle of menuItem  of menu to textStyleList The textStyle property returns or sets the styles in which Paint text, field text, button names, or menu items appear. ---------------------------------------- the top of card set [the] top of button to Integer set [the] top of field to Integer set [the] top of window to Integer The top property returns or sets an integer equal to item 2 of an objectÕs rectangle. If you set the top of an object, it moves vertically. The size of the object remains the same. You canÕt set the top of cards: use the rect, height, or width properties to resize the cards in a stack. ---------------------------------------- the topLeft of card set [the] topLeft of button to point set [the] topLeft of field to point set [the] topLeft of window to point The topLeft property returns or sets a point equal to items 1 and 2 of an objectÕs rectangle. If you set the topLeft of an object, it moves. The size of the object remains the same. You canÕt set the topLeft of cards: use the rect, height, or width properties to resize the cards in a stack. ---------------------------------------- ...set the traceDelay to posInteger where posInteger specifies ticks. The traceDelay property returns or sets the number of ticks HyperCard pauses between each statement as it traces a handler while in the debugger. Its default value is 0. ---------------------------------------- set [the] userLevel to posInteger ...where posInteger is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The userLevel property returns or sets the user level as follows: 1 = Browsing 2 = Typing 3 = Painting 4 = Authoring 5 = Scripting ---------------------------------------- set [the] userModify to trueOrFalse The userModify property returns or sets whether the user can type into fields, use the Paint tools, and move or delete objects in a locked stack. HyperCard discards any changes made by the user or a handler when it leaves the card, although a handler could record the changes and save them to another stack or file. ---------------------------------------- set [the] variableWatcher  to resourceName The variableWatcher property returns or sets the name of the external command (or XCMD) that displays the Variable Watcher window for inspecting the values of local and global variables. The name of HyperCardÕs variable watcher is "VariableWatcher". ---------------------------------------- set [the] visible of button  to trueOrFalse set [the] visible of field  to trueOrFalse set [the] visible of window  to trueOrFalse set [the] visible of externalWindow  to trueOrFalse The visible property returns or sets whether a button, field, or window is visible on the screen. Setting the visible of a window to true makes it the frontmost window. ---------------------------------------- set [the] wideMargins of field  to trueOrFalse The wideMargins property returns or sets whether HyperCard adds extra space between the edges of a field and its text (to make it easier to read). It corresponds to the Wide Margins check box in a Field Info dialog box. The default value is false.