Starting MCL

If you followed the installation instructions in the previous chapter, you now have a full version of Macintosh Common Lisp in a folder on your hard disk. When you open this folder, inside you will see a set of other folders and the MCL application. The application will be called either "MCL 4.0" or "MCL 3.1," depending on which version you are using.

To start MCL, double-click on the MCL application. When MCL starts up, it loads the Lisp kernel and initializes the object system.

If a Lisp source-code file named "init.lisp" is present in the same folder as MCL, it is loaded. If a compiled init file is present ("init.pfsl" in MCL 4.0 or "init.fasl" in MCL 3.1), it will also be loaded. If both a source code file and a compiled file are present the newer one is loaded. You can use the init file to load customizations, preferences, additional libraries, and so on.

After MCL is finished starting up, you will see the MCL menubar at the top of the screen. In the middle of the screen you see a Listener window containing a welcome message.

Figure 2-1 The MCL Menubar

Note: Starting up MCL 4.0 under virtual memory may take from several seconds to several minutes. The length of time depends on the model of machine and Macintosh OS version. Long delays are due to an interaction between the CFM subsystem and virtual memory subsystem of the Macintosh OS. Since this interaction occurs before any MCL code is run, we are unable to display a progress indicator or splash screen until it is complete.

Gettmg Started with MCL - 19 OCT 1996

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