Created by Apple in 1993, AppleScript is a scripting language that allows for automation of scriptable Mac applications.
AppleScript is used to refer to the language, to an individual script written in the language, or to the macOS Open Scripting Architecture that powers the language.
AppleScript was primarily developed to perform inter-application communications between Apple events, but it has processing capabilities of its own, such as basic calculations and text processing. It may also be extended to allow for the use of scripting additions, adding new functions to the language.
AppleScript includes elements of natural language programming, object-oriented programming, and procedural programming, but it does not strictly conform to any of these paradigms.
The origins of AppleScript go back to the late 1980s, when Apple was considering adopting the HyperCard HyperTalk scripting language as the standard language for end-user development across the company, and within its class Mac OS, as well as for interprocess communications between Apple products and third-party products used in Macs. Apple developers decided, instead, that a similar, but more object-oriented scripting language could be designed to be used with any Mac application. Thus, AppleScript was created as a spinoff of research designed to modernize the Macintosh as a whole, and it became part of System 7.1.1, also known as System 7 Pro.
There was a question of its continuance in the next generation of Apple operating systems, Mac OS X, around 2002. Cocoa applications allowed developers to implement scriptability for their apps with less effort. However, the shift to Unix underpinnings in Mac OS X, and AppleScript's ability to directly run Unix commands, allowed to have greater control over the operating system itself. AppleScript Studio, released with Mac OS X 10.2, allowed users to build Cocoa applications using AppleScript.
It is currently included in all versions of macOS. AppleScript Editor, often known simply as Script Editor, allows for the recording of user actions, for recordable apps. Recorded actions are then converted to the equivalent AppleScript commands and output to the Script Editor window, where it can be saved and re-run to duplicate the original actions. Script Editor can write in both AppleScript and JavaScript.
A third-party tool, known as Script Debugger, is a commercial IDE for AppleScript, providing for a more advanced AppleScript environment that allows the script writer to debug AppleScripts.
Smile and SmileLab are another third-party IDE for AppleScript, Smile being free, while SmileLab is a commercial product.
AppleScript is the focal point of topics found in this category. Appropriate resources include the Apple product itself, any third-party IDEs, editors, or other tools, as well as user groups, forums, tutorials, or guides.
Recommended Resources
Focused on scripting solutions for the home and business, AppleHelpWriter offers several informational articles on various aspects of using AppleScript, reviewing third-party or other tools designed to assist with AppleScripting, and offers solutions to problems using the language. Other issues or features related to the Apple Macintosh are also covered, but with a general focus on scripting. Going back as far as 2011, each of the Mac operating systems are reviewed.
https://applehelpwriter.com/
Created by Cameron Hayne, the AppleScript Shell requires a Mac. With AppleScript alone, an AppleScript is written and then compiled, at which point it can be run like any other Mac program. Written in Perl, the Shell allows for the immediate execution of AppleScript commands. It is available for downloading. After uncompressing it, it should be saved in a folder, made executable, and run in the Terminal. Directions for installing and using it are given, along with details of its features.
http://hayne.net/MacDev/Ash/
AppleScript: The Language of Automation
AppleScript is an English-like language used to create scripts that automate the actions of the computer and the applications that run on it. More than a macro-language, which simply repeats recorded actions, AppleScript comes closer to being able to think, making decisions based on user interaction or by parsing and analyzing data, documents, or situations. The language and benefits of AppleScript are highlighted here.
http://macosxautomation.com/applescript/
AppleScript is a Mac-only programming language that is used to control and automate actions on the Mac. Scripts written iTunes can manage files and track information, create playlists, interact with other applications, and perform other tasks that would otherwise be repetitive. The Doug's AppleScripts site offers nearly five hundred AppleScripts for iTunes that are available for downloading. Arranged by topic, there is no charge, although a contribution is appreciated.
https://dougscripts.com/
Established in 1995, the company's flagship product has always been the Script Debugger for Macintosh, an integrated development environment (IDE) focused on AppleScript, and offering a suite of tools that make AppleScript development productive for writing and editing code, analyzing target applications, and debugging scripts. Its features are highlighted, with illustrations. The product may be licensed and downloaded from the site, which includes documentation and a support forum.
https://latenightsw.com/
Satimage offers Smile and SmileLab, one free, the other commercial. Smile is a free programming and working environment based on AppleScript, which allows for the editing of AppleScript, the creation of HTML and Aqua user interfaces, PDF graphics, and handling of XML documents, and other features. SmileLab adds data visualization features to Smile, along with other features. A demo movie is available, and it may be purchased online, while Smile may be downloaded.
http://www.satimage.fr/software/en/
Apple offers a guide to the use of Script Editor. Included is viewing an app's scripting commands, saving a script as an app, creating and editing scripts, controlling applications with scripts, keyboard shortcuts, tracking events, viewing an app's scripting dictionary in Script Editor, identifying script file types, changing Script Editor settings, setting line wrapping, and general information about the use of its Script Editor feature.
https://support.apple.com/guide/script-editor/
VTC offers online and CD computer software training. For preview purposes, some of its tutorials on AppleScript are freely available. The online university offers 24/7 access to all of its training content for a fixed monthly price. Purchased CDs offer higher sound and video quality. Each of the AppleScript courses are listed here, with links to the first five, which are available for free. Client testimonials are presented.
https://www.vtc.com/cd/AppleScript-tutorials.htm
