Close Stack Cleanup

[Curry Kenworthy]

Bob:

 > I am trying to clean up my stack (i.e. clear the fields),
 > then save it when I close it

This is a good topic for LiveCode learners; I'm chiming in....

I often do something similar - but with an important difference:
I perform cleanup when I save. I do NOT force an auto save.
(More on that later.)

 > BY ANY MEANS. That means by script, by menu OR by clicking the red dot
 > (of for WIN users the red X) in the title bar.
 > I need this to work in the IDE as well as in standalone.

So, let's halt at this point and take inventory of your desires!
You want to trap at least 3 methods of initiating a close action.
(Tally: 3)

Furthermore, IDE versus Standalone is an extra complexity.
I don't like that, but it is the unfortunate reality.
So I'm accounting for that extra complexity via a "+" designation!
(Tally: "3+")

Now jumping ahead a bit to make a connection:

 > If I use “CloseStack” instead

Remember our tally of "3+" Actions?
The word "instead" suggests you're assuming a SINGLE trap.

Everyone here should know my KISS philosophy: less is better.
3 birds with one stone is superior; I'm always harping on that.
But then again, in this case you have 3+ birds! :)

I'd hazard a guess on 2 traps - that's my experience for similar cases.
(But if one will work, use one.)

 > You would think closeStackRequest gets sent when I
 > click the red dot or X. You would be mistaken.

Actually I would NOT be mistaken, as long as we're talking about the X,
and the stack has been named/saved at least once. Just tested it!

But among the "extra complexity" I mentioned, if the stack is dirty,
the IDE will trap the close action at the front, BEFORE you get it.
It can still fire, but AFTER you dance around a bit with the IDE.
(Important to note that's the IDE; closeStackRequest does respond.)

To succeed in the IDE, you may indeed need to use closeStack.
But that's probably "with" not "instead" of closeStackRequest!

We can still follow KISS and avoid duplicating code,
via modularity - the 2 traps can call a common set of code.
Using params or other means to handle the differences in the 2/3 cases.

 > I just want it to be saved. I can force quit if I mess something up.

I DISCOURAGE using a custom auto-save and resorting to force quit.
If you implement an auto-save, do it very well.
(And done well, a force-quit would not likely be Plan A for reverting.)

But I encourage cleanup when saving or when closing. I do it constantly.
It just requires a set of trap(s) that does spring for the 3 actions.
You're half way there, just think "AND" not "instead" to finish it!

Best wishes,

Curry Kenworthy

Custom Software Development
"Better Methods, Better Results"
LiveCode Training and Consulting
http://livecodeconsulting.com/