Learn AppleScript: The Comprehensive Guide to Scripting and Automation on Mac OS X (Learn Series) [Paperback]

Hamish Sanderson (Author), Hanaan Rosenthal (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1430223618 | ISBN-13: 978-1430223610 | Publication Date: March 11, 2010 | Edition: 3rd ed.

This third edition is updated to welcome a whole new generation of Mac users to AppleScript and how they can take control of their Mac. With more and more people choosing Macs, new demand and interest in Applescript is inevitable as people realize its power and usefulness. This new edition takes the new Apress Mac audience to Applescript.

AppleScript is easy to understand, it’s built into every Mac, and with this book you will learn how to unleash the full power of Applescript so that you can automate anything you do on your Mac!

This is the third edition of our critically-acclaimed AppleScript book, and it has been completely updated to include all of the new features of Leopard and Snow Leopard, the latest releases of Mac OS X. It begins by giving you a concise introduction to "The World of AppleScript so that you can get your bearings, and then moves directly to "How to AppleScript." You’ll learn how to handle variable, loops, and commands.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hamish Sanderson is an experienced United Kingdom–based AppleScripter who first discovered the joys of desktop automation while working as a book illustrator late last century. Since then he has contributed a range of useful libraries and utilities to the AppleScript community and pops up with some regularity on the various AppleScript mailing lists. He is also the author of the highly regarded appscript library, which brings AppleScript-like application scripting support to the popular Python language on OS X.

The founder of Custom Flow Solutions, Hanaan Rosenthal developed his first drawing program and published a programming newsletter at the age of 11. He became a digital media and prepress consultant in 1991, specializing in Mac publishing. In 1996 he took on his first full-blown AppleScript automation project and never looked back. Since then he has helped reshape the workflow of numerous publishing companies and departments creating systems that save their owners millions of dollars and thousands of man-hours annually. His clients include Fidelity Investments, Wellington Management, The Boston Globe, and Showtime Networks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 750 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 3rd ed. edition (March 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430223618
• ISBN-13: 978-1430223610
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Macs
  • #40 in Books > Computers & Technology > Operating Systems > MacOS
  • #74 in Books > Computers & Technology > Apple

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No exercises?, September 7, 2010

By 

BakariC (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Learn AppleScript: The Comprehensive Guide to Scripting and Automation on Mac OS X (Learn Series) (Paperback)

On only about the 5th chapter, and I just thought I'd report that so far this book has only had one complete exercise in I think chapter 3.

Most of the book seems descriptive. He explains all aspects of AppleScript, but you read for pages and pages and he never really seems to connect what he's describing to creating actual practical scripts. He could have put exercises at the end of chapters so that readers could merge theory with practice. It's clear the author knows his subject, but I think the First Head writers would do a better job at making a book like this one of practical use. I really find it annoying when authors explain complex definitions and then sum by saying, "now that you understand so and so." It's like why do you think that just because you have explained something, your readers are supposed to understand it? That's not how learning works. Learning comes through practice, and trail and error. When for example he defines and talks about class and properties, he should have readers do an exercise that helps them understand what he just spent five pages talking about.

Anyway, I'm going to keep reading; if it gets any better, I'll come back and update my review.

If you don't have an prior experience with AppleScript and you're ready to jump into actually doing so, this book is not the best one to begin with. If you do have experience, this might make good reference book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing comprehensive book on AppleScript, June 23, 2010

By 

M. Steiner (Desert Southwest, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learn AppleScript: The Comprehensive Guide to Scripting and Automation on Mac OS X (Learn Series) (Paperback)

Wow! Leonard Rosenthal and Hamish Sanderson have written what has to be the definitive book on AppleScript. I almost do not where to begin with this review; The book covers literally everything about AppleScript in an easy to understand manner, with a plethora of examples. It does not get bogged down in theory, although it covers theory more than adequately.

I've been writing applescripts since the language first came out, and if I could have only one reference and tutorial for the language, this would be it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wish i'd read this 3 years ago;-), August 9, 2010

By 

airdrummer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learn AppleScript: The Comprehensive Guide to Scripting and Automation on Mac OS X (Learn Series) (Paperback)

would've saved me a lot of trial&error;-) exactly the kind of example-laden text i was looking for, excellently written.