i.m.klif

I'm doing my first javascript attempt in max.

I wonder if it's possible to make an array ina javascript, and connect it to coll (or some other data storage object), so that I can write, read and change data in both in max world and javascript?

coll-and-javascript

as far as I can tell (I'd love to be wrong!!), you can't access coll contents directly in javascript. It would be cool if you had a coll named "mycoll" and then in javascript treat the coll like an array:

However, you can create a Global object to substitute for named coll. In someways, it's a bit more convenient.

Here's an kinda odd example that demonstrates creating a couple of different Arrays from incoming lists, then recalling that data elsewhere.

creates 2 different arrays from an incoming list. one is recalled by name, the other by symbol

//initializes a couple of arrays in this Global object.

function anything(){ //add items to arrays using a list input

    var a = arrayfromargs(arguments);

    myglobal.array1[messagename] = a;

    myglobal.array2[index] = messagename;

    post("list:",myglobal.array1[messagename],"n")

    post("list header:",myglobal.array2[index],"n")

------------end makearrays1.js------------

recall array items that are made in makearrays1.js

    outlet(0,myglobal.array1[messagename]);

as far as I can tell (I'd love to be wrong!!), you can't access coll contents directly in javascript.  It would be cool if you had a coll named "mycoll" and then in javascript treat the coll like an array:
var myvar = mycoll[0];
to get the coll contents at index 0.

However, you can create a Global object to substitute for named coll.  In someways, it's a bit more convenient.
Here's an kinda odd example that demonstrates creating a couple of different Arrays from incoming lists, then recalling that data elsewhere.

/*
creates 2 different arrays from an incoming list. one is recalled by name, the other by symbol
*/

myglobal = new Global("data");
myglobal.array1 = new Array();
myglobal.array2 = new Array();
//initializes a couple of arrays in this Global object.
var index = 0;

	var a = arrayfromargs(arguments);
	myglobal.array1[messagename] = a;
	myglobal.array2[index] = messagename;
	post("list:",myglobal.array1[messagename],"n")
	post("list header:",myglobal.array2[index],"n")
	index++;	
}

/*
recall array items that are made in makearrays1.js
*/

function anything(){ 
	outlet(0,myglobal.array1[messagename]);
}

function msg_int(v){	
	outlet(0,myglobal.array2[v]);
}

So basically I can build my own coll in javascript. It seems it will not be so difficult.

My head is still 100% in max, and I have to get used to different style now.

So basically I can build my own coll in javascript. It seems it will not be so difficult. 

My head is still 100% in max, and I have to get used to different style now. 

yeah, you can kind of make a coll. the one disadvantage that I've come across is that coll is nicer when you store data using a symbol, such as:

with coll, it's easy to query all the contents at once with the "dump" message. with a js Array, i'm not sure it's so easy! Normally, to get all the contents you could do something like:

That's sort of the point in the example in my pvs. message. You can create an array referenced by literal strings, but to dump it, you need a parallel array that has the names indexed by integers, so you can use a for loop:

. Also, it takes an extra step of cognition to realize that you will need arrays of arrays to store lists of data!

yeah, you can kind of make a coll.  the one disadvantage that I've come across is that coll is nicer when you store data using a symbol, such as:

mammal,hair livebirth warmblood;
reptile,scale egg coldblood;
bird,feather egg warmblood

with coll, it's easy to query all the contents at once with the "dump" message.  with a js Array, i'm not sure it's so easy!  Normally, to get all the contents you could do something like:

for (var i=0;i
     outlet(0,myarray[i]);
}

That's sort of the point in the example in my pvs. message.  You can create an array referenced by literal strings, but to dump it, you need a parallel array that has the names indexed by integers, so you can use a for loop:

for (var i=0;i
     outlet(0,myarray[myarraynames[i]]);
}

.  Also, it takes an extra step of cognition to realize that you will need arrays of arrays to store lists of data!

On Feb 3, 2007, at 9:11 AM, pnyboer wrote:

> That's sort of the point in the example in my pvs. message. You 

> can create an array referenced by literal strings, but to dump it, 

> you need a parallel array that has the names indexed by integers, 

Don't forget the for...in statement in JS.

Core_JavaScript_1.5_Reference:Statements:for...in

Here's a great article I'd recommend to anyone building Coll 

workalikes in JS ("asociative arrays" or "hash tables"):

http://www.quirksmode.org/js/associative.html

Btw, as the above article mentions, it's recommended to use Object in 

place of Array for this sort of associative array.

>
> That's sort of the point in the example in my pvs. message.  You  
> can create an array referenced by literal strings, but to dump it,  
> you need a parallel array that has the names indexed by integers,  
> so you can use a for loop:
>
> for (var i=0;i
>      outlet(0,myarray[myarraynames[i]]);
> }

http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/ 
Core_JavaScript_1.5_Reference:Statements:for...in

for (var name in myarray) {
      outlet(0,myarray[name);
}

Here's a great article I'd recommend to anyone building Coll  
workalikes in JS ("asociative arrays" or "hash tables"):

Btw, as the above article mentions, it's recommended to use Object in  
place of Array for this sort of associative array.

>Don't forget the for...in statement in JS.

hmm...I can't forget things I don't know! Thanks for the tip. Yes, using Object DOES make more sense than arrays. That link is a good explanation, as it is written by a hack like me :)

hmm...I can't forget things I don't know!  Thanks for the tip.  Yes, using Object DOES make more sense than arrays.  That link is a good explanation, as it is written by a hack like me :)


coll and javascript?