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AppleScript in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference (Nutshell Handbook)
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.265
EAN: 9781565928411
Edition: 1
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 1565928415
Label: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 526
Publication Date: June 06, 2001
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Studio: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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Editorial Review:
Cocoa and Carbon may have grabbed the attention of Mac OS programmers lately, but AppleScript remains the tool of choice for programmers who prefer to interact with their operating system and applications at a relatively high level. AppleScript in a Nutshell documents AppleScript throughout its evolution, including the versions that ship with Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.1. Explanations of how to script the Mac OS X desktop and the TextEdit application that accompanies Mac OS X are particularly handy.
The lion's share of Bruce Perry's treatment of the language explains, with a minimum of frills, how each aspect of the AppleScript language works. This is classic O'Reilly, and it works well. For each statement (such as "with transaction") and reserved word (such as "anything"), you get a concise statement of syntax, examples of proper usage, an explanation of what's going on, and caveats where they're required. Classes--the one that the Finder uses to represent folders, for instance--are presented with each of their properties and methods listed alphabetically, and explained, usually with an example. The scripting techniques that are specific to applications, such as Sherlock 2 and the Speech Listener--are similar, with commands and classes presented alphabetically with all options presented explicitly. This book is a comprehensive treatment of a really useful language. Check out Learning Carbon and Learning Cocoa if you want to delve deeper into Mac OS programming. --David Wall
Topics covered: - The core of the AppleScript language
- The scriptable aspects of Mac OS versions 9, 9.1, and X
- Scripting applications
- Scripting for network configuration
- Scripting additions
AppleScript in a Nutshell is the first complete reference to AppleScript, the popular programming language that gives both power users and sophisticated enterprise customers the important ability to automate repetitive tasks and customize applications. As the Macintosh continues to expand and solidify its base in the multimedia and publishing industries, AppleScript is the tool of choice on this platform for creating sophisticated time- and money-saving workflow applications (applets). These applets automate the processing and management of digital video, imaging, print, and web-based material. AppleScript is also gaining a foothold in scientific programming, as technical organizations adopt G4 CPU-based systems for advanced computing and scientific analysis. Finally, "power users" and script novices will find that AppleScript is a great everyday Mac programming tool, similar to Perl on Windows NT or Unix. In this well-organized and concise reference, AppleScript programmers will find: - Detailed coverage of AppleScript Version 1.4 and beyond on Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.
- Complete descriptions of AppleScript language features, such as data types, flow-control statements, functions, object-oriented features (script objects and libraries), and other syntactical elements.
- Descriptions and hundreds of code samples on programming the various "scriptable" system components, such as the Finder, File Sharing, File Exchange, Network scripting, Web scripting, Apple System Profiler, the ColorSync program, and the numerous powerful language extensions called "osax" or scripting additions. Most other AppleScript books are hopelessly out of date. AppleScript in a Nutshell covers the latest updates and improvements with practical, easy to understand tips, including:
- Using AppleScript as a tool for distributed computing, an exciting development that Apple Computer calls "program linking over IP." Programmers can now do distributed computing with Macs over TCP/IP networks, including controlling remote applications with AppleScript and calling AppleScript methods on code libraries that are located on other machines.
- Using the Sherlock find application to automate web and network searching.
- Insights on scripting new Apple technologies such as Apple Data Detectors, Folder Actions, Keychain Access, and Apple Verifier. AppleScript in a Nutshell is a high-end handbook at a low-end price--an essential desktop reference that puts the full power of this user-friendly programming language into every AppleScript user's hands.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Disappointed
As an experienced applescripter, I was really disappointed with this book. It's just a boring, uninformative rundown of the scripting dictionaries of some OS 9 applications, with a very weak introduction to scripting in OS 10. I learned nothing from this book, and if I were a beginner, I still would have learned nothing from it. Usually I love O'Reilly books, but this one is an exception.
Rating:  - A difficult subject that's not made any easier
First, be warned that the book largely covers OS 9; what coverage of OS X there is, is now largely dated (pre-10.2).
As other reviews have stated, it's hard to get anything done when using this book as a reference. AppleScript is a very unique technology, and the book makes an admirable start at explaining how it works.
But any time I pick this book up, I'm goal oriented: I want to set the topmost window in Terminal to 100x50 and make the text yellow. How do I do that? I want to open a ... Read More
Rating:  - Think of it as a dictionary...
This book is more like an expansion of the Apple downloadable resources for Applescript. It covers most everything regarding Finder scripting, and has some examples. I feel that the actual script examples in the book need more of the surrounding script for better context, but overall you can get the idea. This is more of a desk reference for me, since I can't fathom trying to read it straight through unless I've had waaaaay too much caffiene. Of all of the Applescript publications, this is the closest ... Read More
Rating: - Rewrite it O'Reilly! Keep your good rep...
What happened here?
O'Reilly usually has SUCH good books - this is not one of them. Looks like the author could have used some help on this subject matter... A rewrite is in order if O'Reilly really wants to prove to Mac users that it cares about the platform. I mean AppleScript is the only truly native language to the Mac.
Rating: - Useless
A second nomination for worst O'Reilly book ever. Mistakes, confusion and just bad information are plentiful in this title by someone who knows nothing about AppleScript clearly. Why did O'Reilly pick this author to write the book when experts exist? Most all other of their titles are written by known authorities in their field - Bruce Perry is NOT an AppleScript authority.
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