{"identifier":9950,"topic":"HyperTalk basics","name":"Writing message handlers","text":"When you write a handler for a message, you specify a sequence of statements for HyperCard to run. Each message handler has the following form, with the italicized words as placeholders:

\n\n 
on messageName<\/i>\n   statements<\/i>\nend messageName<\/i>\n<\/pre><\/code> When it runs the message handler, HyperCard sends each line of the handler as a message itself (so handlers can call other handlers). 
\n
\nImportant<\/b>: The message name does not<\/i> have to be one of HyperCard\u2019s built-in system messages or commands. 

\n\n For example, if you wanted a new command called doubleBeep <\/code>that would beep twice, you would write a handler for it as follows: 

\n\n 
on doubleBeep\n  beep\n  beep\nend doubleBeep<\/pre><\/code> 
\n","related":{"20813":null,"6658":"Handling messages","26982":"on","8578":"The message-passing order","10721":"Using parameter variables","5306":"What are messages?"},"examples":"","demo":"

\n\n ","debug":{"9":["When you write a han"],"10":["Important: The messa"]}}