A newer version of Max is available. Click here to access the latest version of the documentation

gestalt Reference

Retrieve system information

gestalt

Examples

gestalt can give you info about the system in use and info about hardware features

Discussion

gestalt uses the Macintosh function "Gestalt" to return information about the current hardware and software. For a list of Gestalt selectors and responses consult Apple developer documentation. On Windows, this function is emulated, and may consequently report slightly different, though meaningful, information.

Arguments

None.

Attributes

outputmode [int] (default: 0)

When set to 1, output from the left output is prepended with the chosen selector.

selector [symbol] (default: )

Default Info Selector

Common Box Attributes

annotation [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in the Clue window when the user moves the mouse over the object.

background [int] (default: 0)

Adds or removes the object from the patcher's background layer. background 1 adds the object to the background layer, background 0 removes it. Objects in the background layer are shown behind all objects in the default foreground layer.

color [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object box outline.

fontface [int]

Sets the type style used by the object. The options are:

plain
bold
italic
bold italic Possible values:

0 = 'regular'
1 = 'bold'
2 = 'italic'
3 = 'bold italic'

fontname [symbol]

Sets the object's font.

fontsize [float]

Sets the object's font size (in points). Possible values:

'8'
'9'
'10'
'11'
'12'
'13'
'14'
'16'
'18'
'20'
'24'
'30'
'36'
'48'
'64'
'72'

hidden [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object is hidden when the patcher is locked.

hint [symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in as a pop-up hint when the user moves the mouse over the object in a locked patcher.

ignoreclick [int] (default: 0)

Toggles whether an object ignores mouse clicks in a locked patcher.

jspainterfile [symbol]

JS Painter File

patching_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 100. 0.)

Sets the position and size of the object in the patcher window.

position [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's x and y position in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its size unchanged.

presentation [int] (default: 0)

Sets whether an object belongs to the patcher's presentation.

presentation_rect [4 floats] (default: 0. 0. 0. 0.)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in the patcher's presentation, leaving its patching position unchanged.

rect [4 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation).

size [2 floats]

g/s(set)

Sets the object's width and height in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its position unchanged.

textcolor [4 floats]

Sets the color for the object's text in RGBA format.

textjustification [int]

Sets the justification for the object's text. Possible values:

0 = 'left'
1 = 'center'
2 = 'right'

varname [symbol]

Sets the patcher's scripting name, which can be used to address the object by name in pattr, scripting messages to thispatcher, and the js object.

Messages

bang

bang message causes gestalt to repeat its previous output.

anything

Arguments

selector [symbol]
Performs the same function as symbol.

keys

Returns a dictionary containing short key and long-form descriptive names (also functional) for available info.

symbol

Arguments

selector [symbol]
The symbol message containing a Gestalt selector will return the appropriate system specific information. Some sample selectors are "sysv" to return the system version and "qtim" to return the quicktime version.

Output

int

Out left outlet If there was no error in obtaining the response to a selector to the object, the response is sent out the left outlet. Binary or hex display and/or the use of the bitwise and operator & may aid in interpreting the response.

Out right outlet: If there was an error in obtaining the response to a selector, an error code is sent out the right outlet. Refer to Apple developer documentation for a complete list of error codes. If the input selector was undefined, -1 is sent out. If there was no error, 0 is sent out.

See Also

Name Description
Sharing Max Patchers Sharing Max Patchers
screensize Output the monitor size