'... but if there is something better ...' - ask numerous persons 'what programming language is better', and most will have different opinions.
AppleScript is a scripting language; but, its individual scripts can be self contained, self fulfilling, and saved as a double-click able 'AppleScript applet'.
The code can remain in script form - and accessed (for instant execution) via the 'Script Menu' (available via '/Applications/AppleScript/AppleScript Utility') or '
FastScripts' (or 'FastScripts Lite').
While limited in user interface (a dialog box with static text, a text entry field, up to three buttons, ... - with the ability to accept password text and / or closing after a set number of seconds), AppleScript can be expanded (in its user interface and access to MacOS X functionality) via 'AppleScript Studio'. One programs in 'AppleScript Studio' via 'Xcode' ('/Developer/').
'Xcode' allows one to create numerous formats of code - command line, AppleScript Studio, Cocoa (objective-C), C / C++, Java, etc.
Plus, via the command line (using 'Terminal' - in the '/Applications/Utilities/' folder) - one can program in Perl, Python, and other languages.
There is also available - freeware ('
Chipmunk Basic, '
Pascal'), commercial, and shareware ('
REALbasic') programming language development software.