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message Reference

Send any message

message

Description

message displays and sends any given message with the capability to handle specified arguments.

Examples

Send a simple message, or construct a message of any degree of complexity

Arguments

message [list]

The initial contents of the message box are typed in when the patcher window is unlocked. Any message can be contained in a message box. Certain characters have special meaning.

changeable-arg [symbol]

A dollar sign ($), followed immediately by a number in the range 1-9, is a changeable argument. This argument's value can be replaced by the corresponding item in a list received in the inlet. (Example: $2 stores the second item in a list as its value before sending out the contents of the message box .) The value of a changeable argument is initially 0.

comma [symbol]

A comma (,) divides a message into separate messages which will be sent out in order. (Example: 3, 4, 5 sends out 3, then 4, then 5.)

backslash [symbol]

A backslash (\) is used to negate (escape) the traits of a special character. When a backslash immediately precedes a dollar sign, comma, or semicolon, the character is treated as a normal character. (Example: Notes played were C\, E\, and G.)

Attributes

bgfillcolor [4 floats]7.0.0

Sets the background color of the message box in RGBA format. The message box can be configured to display a gradient using the format palette.

dontreplace [int] (default: 0)7.0.4

Don't restore the contents of the message box when loading from a patcher, pasting from the clipboard, etc.

style [symbol] (default: )7.0.0

Sets the style to be applied to the object. Styles can be set using the Format palette.

Common Box Attributes

Messages

bang

In left inlet: Sends out the contents of the message box. A mouse click on the message box has the same effect.

In right inlet: Sets the contents of the message box to 'bang' without triggering output.

int

Arguments

input [int]
In left inlet: The number replaces the value stored in the argument $1, if such an argument exists, then sends out the contents of the message box.

In right inlet: Sets the contents of the message box without triggering output.

float

Arguments

input [float]
In left inlet: The number replaces the value stored in the argument $1, if such an argument exists, then sends out the contents of the message box.

In right inlet: Sets the contents of the message box without triggering output.

list

Arguments

input [list]
Each item in the list replaces the value of its corresponding $ argument, if such an argument exists, then sends out the contents of the message box.

In right inlet: Sets the contents of the message box without triggering output.

anything

Arguments

message [list]
See the list listing

append

Arguments

message [list]
The word append followed by any message will set the message box to display that message after any text which it already contains without triggering output.

(mouse)

A mouse click on a message box sends its contents out the object's outlet.

prepend

Arguments

message [list]
The word prepend followed by any message will set the message box to display that message before any text which it already contains without triggering output.

set

Arguments

message [list]
The word set, followed by a message, sets the contents of the message box to that new message, without triggering output. The word set by itself clears the contents of the message box .

setargs

Arguments

message [list]
The word setargs, followed by a message, sets the changeable argument(s) (e.g. $1) of the receiving message box, without triggering output.

symbol

Arguments

input [symbol]
In left inlet: The symbol replaces the value stored in the argument $1, if such an argument exists, then sends out the contents of the message box.

In right inlet: Sets the contents of the message box without triggering output.

Choosing the Color... menu item from the Object menu when the object is selected opens a color picker, permitting adjustment to the appearance of the message box.

Output

anything

The contents of the message box are sent out the outlet. If a semicolon is present, the rest of the message (or up to the next semicolon) is sent to the specified receive object, rather than out the outlet.

See Also

Name Description
append
atoi
comment
itoa
jit.cellblock
prepend
receive
Max Basic Tutorial 1: Hello Max Basic Tutorial 1: Hello
Max Basic Tutorial 2: Bang! Max Basic Tutorial 2: Bang!