AppleScript In A Nutshell

Review by Rick Stringer

AppleScript has always been Apple's best kept secret. Most Mac users are aware of it, but they have no idea how to use it. AppleScript In A Nutshell by Bruce W. Perry is not for the beginner. This book is a great reference for the intermediate to advanced scripter.

Mr. Perry is very thorough in his discussion of this powerful and useful language. What he doesn't do is walk the reader through writing scripts. Most beginners are going to feel overwhelmed by this book. He obviously knows AppleScript, however his book can be a bit tedious to read. Don't get me wrong, I believe this is a very valuable book, I just think a beginner is better off getting this book after purchasing a more basic AppleScript Book.

This book is the first in print to talk about AppleScript on Mac OS X. There are some differences between using AppleScript in OS X and previous version the Mac OS. If you are an intermediate user and want to know how OS X has changed the rules, this book will help you.

As a reference book it is fantastic. I'm certain I will keep this book near my Mac at all times. The explanations of AppleScript parts is the best I've seen. He goes into great detail.

The book has six parts:

• Part I: Introduction to AppleScript
  • Chapter 1—AppleScript: An Introduction
  • Chapter 2—Using Script Editor with OS 9 and OS X
• Part II: AppleScript Language Reference
  • Chapter 3—Data Types
  • Chapter 4—Operators
  • Chapter 5—Reference Forms
  • Chapter 6—Variables and Constants
  • Chapter 7—Flow-Control Statements
  • Chapter 8—Subroutines
  • Chapter 9—Script Objects and Libraries
• Part III: Scripting Mac OS 9 Applications
  • Chapter 10—Apple Guide and Help Viewer
  • Chapter 11—Apple System Profiler
  • Chapter 12—Keychain Scripting and Apple Verifier
  • Chapter 13—Desktop Printer Manager
  • Chapter 14—Mac OS 9 Finder Commands
  • Chapter 15—Mac OS 9 Finder Classes
  • Chapter 16—Network Setup Scripting
  • Chapter 17—Scripting Sherlock 2
  • Chapter 18—URL Access Scripting
• Part IV: Scripting Mac OS 9 Control Panels and Extensions
  • Chapter 19—Appearance Control Panel
  • Chapter 20—Apple Data Detectors Extension
  • Chapter 21—Apple Menu Options Control Panel
  • Chapter 22—Application Switcher Extension
  • Chapter 23—ColorSync Extension
  • Chapter 24—File Exchange Control Panel
  • Chapter 25—File Sharing Control Panel
  • Chapter 26—Folder Actions Extension
  • Chapter 27—FontSync Control Panel and Extension
  • Chapter 28—Location Manager Control Panel
  • Chapter 29—Memory and Mouse Control Panels
  • Chapter 30—Speech Listener and Speakable Items Extension
  • Chapter 31—Web Sharing Control Panel
• Part V: Scripting the Mac OS X System
  • Chapter 32—Scripting the OS X Desktop
  • Chapter 33—Scripting Mail
  • Chapter 34—Executing Scripts with the Terminal App
  • Chapter 35—Scripting TextEdit
• Part VI: Appendixes
  • Appendix A—Standard Scripting Additions
  • Appendix B—AppleScript Resources

As a resource to keep handy, you can't beat this book, just don't expect it to teach you how to create AppleScripts.

Rating 4 out of 5 cherrymugs

AppleScript In A Nutshell
By Bruce W. Perry
June 2001
O’Reilly
1-56592-841-5, Order Number: 8415
526 pages, $29.95