[AppleScript] Duplicate files with timestamp

[Mikuro]

Here's a script I just wrote today. It duplicates the currently selected files in the Finder, and then puts a timestamp in the name of the duplicates (instead of the generic "copy"). The timestamp uses a long date format that is properly sortable as plain text in any program: YYYY-MM-DD hh-mm-ss

For example, if you load the script with "MyFile.txt" selected at 2:15 PM, the duplicate will be named something like "MyFile 2008-03-16 14-15-01.txt".

It works with any number of files and folders selected at once.

[iaeon]

Hi Mikuro

Could be just what I am looking for, but as a script newbie before I do something horribly wrong can you describe how:
a) to install / use it (applescript editor compile. Run each time one wants to rename a file?) and
b) it works from a user point of view.

Ideally I would love to be able to right-click a file (ctrl-click) and have a 'timestamp duplicate' option.

[Mikuro]

Hi iaeon.

There are different ways you could install it. I like to use the Script menu. I decided to write a how-to on enabling and using the Script menu, and I just posted it here: Use the AppleScript menu

In short, I have it set up so that I select the file I want to duplicate in the Finder, then choose my script from the Script menu.

[iaeon]

Thanks Mikuro - tried it out and works fine. Your script duplicates files and timestamps just as you say.

Only thing - it opens in the script editor and has to be manually run. I don't seem to be able to compile it to an .app so that it just runs when selected fom the scripts menu. I tried opening the .applescript file and doing a compile but that does not work, and I tried opening it in Textmate first and then pasting to the script editor. This approach generates an error on a compile. "Syntax Error - Expected expression but found unknown token". The character it is unhappy with is Â

[Mikuro]

I see. I didn't realize the script menu wouldn't work with plain-text scripts (.applescript files). Do this to convert it:

- Open the file in Script editor.
- Choose File > Save As
- Select "Script" as the File Format and save it.

That will give you a .scpt file that should work.

The reason I posted a .applescript file instead of a .scpt is that .scpts don't seem to work on different computers sometimes.

Or try downloading this .scpt I made. Maybe it'll work.

[iaeon]

Thanks Mikuro, works fine now, and as I said above just what I have been looking for! - I should probably have figured that one out myself! Funny how when 'somebody available knows better' ones own thinking abilities don't wish to be stretched.

[ejang]

Hi, I downloaded a copy of your duplicator script today. It works very well with highlighted files.

As a new user to script editor (I am very asinine with computers), I have not been able to understand very much of the jargon presented in the tutorials. How do I create a script that duplicates itself a number of times? I want to prank a friend of mine- I'm not trying to create a virus.

[Mikuro]

You can get the location of the script file with "the path to me". Then you just need to tell the Finder to duplicate it.

tell application "Finder"
	repeat with i from 1 to 100
		duplicate (the path to me)
		delay 1
	end repeat
end tell

That'll make 100 copies, pausing for 1 second between each copy.

(Note: If you run this in Script Editor, it might duplicate the Script Editor application. Save your file as an application and run it from the Finder for best results.)