(Last Updated 1/1/98)

Miscellaneous Apple Script Files

AppleScript is a scripting language that has been built into the Macintosh Operating System. It has all the standard capabilities of most normal programming languages. Many application languages (Excel, WordPerfect, PageMaker, etc.) have incorporated their own scripting languages. The difference offered by AppleScript is that it isn`t limited to to one application. Since AppleScript is part of the Macintosh operating syetem, it has the ability to work with many different applications at once and even on several Macs on a network. It can control and gather information from one application and then direct other applications to process that information.

The power of AppleScript does not, however, lie in its ability to automate repititious tasks. Its power is in its completeness. It not only can control the flow of information between applications, it has to the ability to test and operate on the data itself. To my knowledge, there is no comparable PC language. Its main limitations may be grouped into two categories; hardware, and application program limitations.

The hardware limitations present as speed problems. Although, AppleScript programs are compiled, they are not optimized and additionally make extensive use what is normally the slowest computer operation, I/O. This limitation should be less significant with faster Macintoshes.

The application program limitations are a little more vague in their presentation. Although most of the newer application programs subscribe to the "required suite" of commands, they pick and choose as to which of the other commands they will allow, which bits of data they will provide access to, and what may be done to the data. Additionally, each application is slightly different in the manner it implements some of the commands. Therefore, an AppleScript command which follows all the rule of AppleScript and works perfectly well in one application may not work at all in a second application. Even worse, it probably will not give any indication as to why it isnt working. This is getting better but it is a slow process.

One suggestion I would make to script users would be to search the archives for usefull OSAXs. This would include: Script Tools, Jons Commands, ACME Script Widgets, and, in particular,the OSA Menu. The OSA menu is an iconic system menu that appears on the right side of the menu bar. Its menu ites are scripts. Choose the item, and the script will run. Generally, the target of the script is the active application. In essence, the scripts act like extensions to the basic command set of the application.

(All files have been compressed using Stuffitt.)

Cache & Cookie Delete: (4.2 kB)

A script to delete the Netscape Magic Cookie file all Netscape cache files. This script eliminates the necessity of saying no to those annoying cookie requests that some sites use. Just say go ahead and accept the request and when the session is over run the script and delete it. To use you will have to change the path names and recompile the script. I would suggest placing it in the OSA menu mentioned above.

Name Stripping script: (3.1 kB)

A script I used to change the name of all files in a directory. I had compressed and bin-hexed all my wav files and then used this script to change all the file names from ***.wav.sit.hqx to ***.hqx. This was done to allow PCs to access the files (DOS chokes on multiple dots in file names). The script has the extensions and paths built in. To use, change these items to correspond to your needs and recompile the script.

Alias making script: (2.7 kB)

A very handy script written by Dr. Michael Hughes for making aliases for files. It is a drag and drop program that sits on the desktop. It will assume that the alias file is to be placed in the same location that the previous alias was placed, but will ask for verification at which time the location can be changed.