Program-to-Program Communications
About the PPC Toolbox
This topic describes how you can use the Program-to-Program
Communications (PPC) Toolbox to send and receive low-level message blocks
between applications.
The PPC Toolbox can be used by different applications located on the same computer or across a network of Macintosh computers. The PPC Toolbox is available only in System 7.0.or above. To test for the existence of the
Read this topic if you want your application to transmit and receive data from
Applications that utilize the PPC Toolbox must be open and connected to each other to exchange data. The PPC Toolbox allows you to send large amounts of data to other applications; it is typically useful for code that is not
event-based. The PPC Toolbox is called by the Macintosh Operating System and can also be called by applications, device drivers, desk accessories, or
other programs.
The PPC Toolbox provides a method of communication that is particularly useful for applications that are specifically designed to work together and are
dependent on each other for information. For example, suppose one user
organizes large amounts of data using a database application and another user
filters and plots the same data using a plotting application. If both applications
use the PPC Toolbox, these two applications can directly transmit data to each other when both applications are open and connected to each other.
You can also use the PPC Toolbox if your application communicates with other applications using high-level events or Apple events, and your
application allows the user to choose another application to communicate with.
You can use a PPC Toolbox routine that provides a standard user interface to display a dialog box on the user's screen that lists other applications that are
available to exchange information.
Name-Binding Protocol (NBP). For detailed information on ADSP or NBP, see
Note: The sample applications "store data," "display data," "send and
receive," "make memo," and "spell quick" used in this discussion are not actual
Apple products. They are used for illustrative purposes only.
• exchange data with other open applications on the same computer or
across a network of Macintosh computers
• browse through a listing of applications that are available to exchange
data
• verify user identities for communication across a network
To utilize the PPC Toolbox to exchange data between open applications, each • set up your application for communication
• use security features prior to establishing communication
• locate other applications that can exchange data
• initiate communication between applications
• accept or reject incoming communications requests
• transmit and receive data between applications
• terminate communication between applications