HyperCard Version 2.

3
HyperCard software is Apple’s pre- single script. HyperCard also offers ex-
es mier tool for creating custom software tensive on-line help, as well as ready-
Includcript solutions for business,education, and to-use stacks, templates, and elements.
AppleS ime
RunT multimedia. Commercial developers, At the same time, HyperCard pro-
consultants, in-house programmers, vides a robust prototyping and devel-
and end users can use HyperCard to opment environment for professional
Features acquire, manage, and display informa- developers. It comes with powerful
Easy to use
tion any way they need to. scripting tools, a modeless script edi-
• Organize information into convenient HyperCard organizes information tor, hypertext support, debugging
“stacks” of electronic cards
• Create applications quickly using ready-
into easy-to-use “stacks” of cards tools, external commands, and many
made buttons and text fields through which users can navigate and other features to help you create power-
• Integrate QuickTime movies, graphics,
sounds, and spoken text into a HyperCard
search for the information they need. ful custom software. Use HyperTalk
stack—no scripting experience required Simply by clicking on a button, they can software—HyperCard’s powerful,
Color and multimedia support view related text, see a graphic, hear a English-like scripting language—to
• Assign colors to HyperCard elements such
as buttons, fields, and backgrounds
sound, watch a QuickTime movie, or add power and versatility to your
• Use 24-bit color painting tools to create listen to text spoken out loud. stacks. HyperCard also comes with the
color images and to import and resize
color PICT graphics
HyperCard is an ideal development AppleScript scripting language. You can
• Have HyperCard text read aloud by your tool for a wide range of applications, write AppleScript scripts that attach to
computer*
• Add QuickTime movies, sounds, and
including multimedia presentations, HyperCard buttons to launch, control,
graphics to your stacks front ends to host data, courseware, and exchange data with other off-the-
Powerful development features and computer-based training materials. shelf scriptable applications, either
• Take full advantage of Power Macintosh Beginners can start creating stacks locally or over a network.
systems with an accelerated version of
HyperCard right away; no scripting experience is HyperCard provides an easy mech-
• Use AppleScript from within HyperCard to required. The new Button Tasks anism for distributing your stacks. You
launch, control, and exchange data with
over 100 scriptable Macintosh applications feature lets you automatically integrate can save any stack as a stand-alone,
• Create and customize your own menus text, graphics, video, sound, spoken double-clickable Macintosh application
and tool palettes
• Extend HyperCard’s functionality with text, and links to other applications that can be distributed without soft-
commercially available add-on products, into your stacks without writing a ware royalty fees.
including third-party external command
(XCMD) software
Support for global solutions
• Use WorldScript system extensions* to
create multilingual HyperCard solutions
• Mix different character sets (including
single-byte and double-byte characters)
in a single field
• Script in French, Japanese, or other
languages using international dialects
of AppleScript software*
Stand-alone application capability
• Create double-clickable applications for
customers, colleagues, or students who do
not have HyperCard software
• Distribute HyperCard applications freely,
without software royalty fees

* Requires additional software; see system requirements

Use 24-bit color painting tools to create color images.

 HyperCard Version 2.3
Technical Specifications Powerful development features
• Third-party external commands (XCMDs) let you
Complete support for scripting languages control a wide variety of systems and equipment,
• Add power and versatility to HyperCard applications
including mainframe computers, networks,
using HyperTalk—HyperCard’s scripting language— videodisc players, and CD-ROM drives.
• Hypertext applications can be created by linking a
or any scripting language compatible with the Open
Scripting Architecture (OSA), such as AppleScript word or group of words.
• Modeless script editor lets you view several scripts
• Attach AppleScript scripts to HyperCard objects
such as buttons to launch and control other and stacks at once and quickly copy and paste
Ordering Information applications, exchange data with them, and so on— HyperTalk or AppleScript code between them.
• Debugging menu lets you set checkpoints in, and
even over a network
HyperCard 2.3 • Link HyperCard stacks with any of more than 100
step and trace through, a HyperTalk script while it’s
Order No. M2365Z/B script-able applications, such as Claris FileMaker running, for fast and easy troubleshooting.
• Background processing lets you continue working
• HyperCard version 2.3 software for Pro 2.0 and Microsoft Excel 4.0 (applications must
680x0-based Macintosh systems be running under System 7) in other applications while complex scripts are
• HyperCard version 2.3 software for Power • Use localized versions of AppleScript system exten-
running or while you compact or sort a stack.
• Variable Watcher shows how variables are used
Macintosh systems sions to script in Japanese, French, or other
• HyperCard reference manuals and languages (requires additional software) and changed and lets you edit variables while
example stacks debugging your script.
• AppleScript RunTime Edition software
Multimedia features • Message Watcher lets you view HyperTalk
• Add QuickTime movies to stacks using the messages as they’re sent, so you can see how
• AppleScript Reference and sample stacks
QuickTime Tools stack your program’s logic really works.
Product specifications are subject to change. • Include sound, animation, and graphics in • “Save as” options let you create stand-alone
Check with your authorized Apple reseller for
your stacks applications or ones that can run using HyperCard
the most current information about product
specifications and configurations. • Have HyperCard text read aloud by your computer Player (widely available on Macintosh systems).
Color drawing and painting tools Flexible formatting and reporting
• Choose from 256 colors to apply to buttons, fields, • Design multiple report layouts for each stack—and
backgrounds, and cards copy and paste report formats between stacks
• Import 24-bit color or grayscale PICT graphics • Control the content, appearance (including font,
• Resize, reposition, and edit graphics on the card size, and style), and placement of text elements in
• Create PICT images with 24-bit color painting tools report formats
• Create card sizes ranging from 1 by 1 inch to 18 by
Automated Button Tasks
18 inches
• Automatically assign tasks to buttons without writing
• Print individual fields, selected parts of a card, a
August 1994 a single script
• Go to another destination (first card, previous card,
single card, selected cards (containing a certain
word, button, or background), or an entire stack
home, or others)
• Play a QuickTime movie System requirements
• Play a sound • An Apple Macintosh, Power Macintosh, or
• Have text read aloud (using PlainTalk software) PowerBook computer; QuickTime Tools requires a
• Launch another application 68020 or later processor; text-to-speech function
• Apply visual effects for transitions between cards requires a 68040 or later processor
HyperCard 2.2 • A hard disk drive
• At least 2MB of RAM required for HyperCard 2.3;
March 21, 1994 4MB of RAM required for system software version
7.0 or later, QuickTime Tools, and AppleScript; at
least 5MB of RAM is recommended when using
Color Tools
• Macintosh system software version 6.0.5 or later;
Version 7.0 or later required for Color Paint Tools;
Version 7.1 or later required for AppleScript,
HyperCard button tasks, and the stand-alone
application builder
• QuickTime Tools requires the QuickTime system
The new Button Tasks feature lets you automatically extension; text-to-speech function requires
integrate text, graphics, and sound into your stacks PlainTalk software (included) Button Tasks requires
without writing a single script. AppleScript system extension
• Multilingual HyperCard applications may require
WorldScript software and/or international versions
of AppleScript software

Apple Computer, Inc. © 1995 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, HyperCard, HyperTalk, Macintosh, PowerBook, PlainTalk, QuickTime, and
WorldScript are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S.A. and other countries. AppleScript, Power Macintosh, and PowerTalk are
1 Infinite Loop trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Mention of non-Apple products is for informational purposes and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a
Cupertino, CA 95014 recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of these products. All understandings, agreements,
(408 ) 996-1010 or warranties, if any, take place directly between the vendors and the prospective users.
TLX 171-576 May 1995. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Printed in U.S.A.
L00574C