Learning Carbon

Appendix C. Parameter Names and Typesfor Common Event Kinds

If you want to retrieve the value of a parameter associated with a Carbon event, you need to call GetEventParameter (discussed in Chapter 6). However, while calling the function is fairly straightforward, the tricky part is figuring out the parameter names and types associated with the event; you can’t retrieve the proper parameter unless you know how to specify it properly in your function call. This appendix provides a solution by listing the parameter names and types for most common events and for many of the uncommon ones as well. The parameter names and types are grouped by event class (command, menu, window, and so on) and then by event kind within each class (mouse up, mouse down, window closed, and so on).

Apple Events

The Apple Event Manager sends Apple events between applications on the same computer or between applications on remote computers. Applications typically use Apple events to request services and information from other applications or to provide services and information in response to such requests.

If you’re curious, an Apple event conforms to the Apple Event Interprocess Messaging Protocol (AEIMP).

Table C-1. Parameter Names and Types for Apple Event Kinds

Event kind	Parameter name	Parameter type
kEventAppleEvent	kEventParamAEEventID	typeType