Re: How can I start an application by dragging a file to an app

FROM : Jerry LeVan
DATE : Fri Nov 01 11:35:01 2002

Earlier I requested assistance for launching an App by dragging a file onto
its icon ( and capturing the filename of the dragged file)

I have made a tiny bit of progress... If I paste:
    <key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundleTypeExtensions</key>
            <array>
                <string>*</string>
            </array>
            <key>CFBundleTypeName</key>
            <string>NSStringPboardType</string>
            <key>CFBundleTypeOSTypes</key>
            <array>
                <string>****</string>
            </array>
            <key>CFBundleTypeRole</key>
            <string>Editor</string>
        </dict>
    </array>

Into the info.list, the application *will* launch when a file is dropped on
the app's icon!

I don't seem to be able to make the modified info.list permanent. Every time
I rebuild the app, the info.list looses the CFBundleDocumentTypes entry :)

Anyway it was suggested that I could capture the filename of the file
dropped on the app icon by implementing the application:openfile method,
here is what I added to the app:
- (BOOL) application: (NSApplication*) anApplication
        openFile: (NSString*    ) aFileName
{
// NSLog(@"Delegate invoked");
  NSBeep();
  theFile = [[[NSString alloc] initWithString:aFileName ] retain];
  return YES;
}

Regretably, as far as I can tell (no beep) the method is not invoked by
dragging a file onto the app icon. It is not clear to me when the rascal
would be invoked ( before awakeFromNib ?)

What does everyone else know that I don't... (with respect to this problem).

Thanks...

Jerry