HyperCard can launch other applications. When you type "open MacWrite" in the message box or when a button tries to run an application, HyperCard searches for the application according to the paths in this card. Each line of this card describes a "path". A "path" describes the location of a folder. A folder containing an application may itself be contained in another folder on a disk. Paths helps HyperCard find applications quickly.
• Examples:
:Applications:
Tells HyperCard that there are applications in the "Applications" folder on the disk. The colon right before the "A" of "Applications" tells HyperCard to look for the folder in the same place as the HyperCard application on the disk.
Demo Disk: tells HyperCard that there is an application in a disk called "Demo Disk" (e.g. a floppy). Notice that there is no colon preceding the disk name.
Tom:Software:Text: tells HyperCard to look for applications in a folder called "Text". This folder is in another one called
"Software" which is on a disk called Tom (e.g. name of your hard disk)
If an application is found, it is launched taking the place of HyperCard. When you quit this application, you return automatically to HyperCard. If you are in MultiFinder, HyperCard will launch the application at the same time so that both applications will be available on the screen.
If the application is not found, a dialog box appears, asking you where it is. You can locate the stack with this dialog box. The path card is automatically updated so that the next time HyperCard will know where to find the application.