Just what is Apple Script?
- Thread starter nmm88
- Start date
...an extreemely powerfull scripting addition to the MacOS. It has been around for several OS generations (Started in OS 7).
With it you can automate virtually all Finder tasks, and control many applications. Depending on the level of Applescript support within an app, you can do most of the things the application does automatically.
Applescript is a programming language, that is very 'high level' - ie it looks and sounds close to normal english. (As opposed to 'low level' languages that look and sound like computer code).
If you just want to get started, check out: http://www.apple.com/applescript/
Good luck.
With it you can automate virtually all Finder tasks, and control many applications. Depending on the level of Applescript support within an app, you can do most of the things the application does automatically.
Applescript is a programming language, that is very 'high level' - ie it looks and sounds close to normal english. (As opposed to 'low level' languages that look and sound like computer code).
If you just want to get started, check out: http://www.apple.com/applescript/
Good luck.
There are a lot of online resources. Applescript is very powerful, currently i made a few that... Run cron scripts (daily, weekly and monthly maintenance on my G4), sometimes i turn on my iTunes to AIM that i wrote about 2 years ago... this takes the current song and places it in my AIM away message, along with a nice formating to make it seem like a "Now playing...." I have folder actions to backup files to different partitions (still working out bugs), a custom AIM away message, dependent on who the person is, i can leave specific messages. Scripts to put my system to sleep from my cell phone (phone sends a email that triggers a script from Entourage, that does this or that)... and a few other mini scripts that I was curious about.
Just read up on it, and try to make something, the more you play around with them, the better scripting them you will get. Almost forgot, I made a Bot for AIM. Although it was triggered by keywords, that didn't work to well, because if that word came up in a chat session, it would automatically prompt the user with "Welcome to Urbansory, Please enter your inquiry.... " It kinda freaked a few buddies out, so i turned that one off.
Just read up on it, and try to make something, the more you play around with them, the better scripting them you will get. Almost forgot, I made a Bot for AIM. Although it was triggered by keywords, that didn't work to well, because if that word came up in a chat session, it would automatically prompt the user with "Welcome to Urbansory, Please enter your inquiry.... " It kinda freaked a few buddies out, so i turned that one off.
michaelsanford
Translator, Web Developer
Another side-note about AppleScript + voice commands: you can write an AppleScript called, say, "shut down please" with the code (tell application "Finder" to shut down) and place it in the speakable commands folder. Then speak to your computer something like "Victoria, shut down please." {bing} and your computer will shut down, or perform whatever code you put into the AppleScript...
You can do anything with AppleScript.
My personal favourite is its use in XCode, since there's no way I'm going to learn Obj-C in this lifetime
You can do anything with AppleScript.
My personal favourite is its use in XCode, since there's no way I'm going to learn Obj-C in this lifetime
If i had a remote control home, i would seriously try to Applescript it, considering the software could run on X to talk to the home. A X home, that would be tight, use those voice commands that michaelsanford mentioned. I can definitely see myself working on that on the weekends, driving my family crazy.
I guess the first thing i need to complete would be iTunes in my car. I'm going to make a custom interface, use some applescripts, and somehow build or use a old G3 ibook to bring MacOSX into the car. I want a in dash display, touch screen will be so nice, but a majority of this projects budget goes to the new Chevy engine, big rims, killer paint job, and replacing the power hole.
i really want to get into XCode, I've been wanting to make a menu extra for the longest, just so i can learn how. Because me learning another language, such ac C, is just not going to happen.
I guess the first thing i need to complete would be iTunes in my car. I'm going to make a custom interface, use some applescripts, and somehow build or use a old G3 ibook to bring MacOSX into the car. I want a in dash display, touch screen will be so nice, but a majority of this projects budget goes to the new Chevy engine, big rims, killer paint job, and replacing the power hole.
i really want to get into XCode, I've been wanting to make a menu extra for the longest, just so i can learn how. Because me learning another language, such ac C, is just not going to happen.
symphonix
Scratch & Sniff Committee
Another nice bit of AppleScript is Folder Actions, which reappeared in Mac OS 10.2 after being absent since 9.2.2. Basically, these trigger a script when you do something to a folder. For instance, I've got one that uses GraphicConverter to create a preview icon for any picture that gets saved to my "Scans incoming" folder.