AppleScript in a Nutshell

Conventions Used in This Book

The followi typographical conventions are used in this book:

Constant width

Is used to indicate command-line computer output and code examples, as well as AppleScript class names, objects, parameters, data types, properties, methods, constants, variables, and flow-control statements like repeat.

Constant width bold

Is used to indicate user input in examples.

Italic

Is used to introduce new terms and to indicate URLs, user-defined files and directories, commands, file extensions, filenames, directory or folder names, and UNC pathnames.

Italic is also used to highlight chapter titles and, in some instances, to visually separate the topic of a list.

Tip

This is an example of a note, which signifies valuable and timesaving information.

Warning

This is an example of a warning, which alerts to a potential pitfall in the program. Warnings can also refer to a procedure that might be dangerous if not carried out in a specific way.

Keyboard Shortcuts

When keyboard shortcuts are shown (Command-N), a hyphen means that the keys must be held down simultaneously, while a plus means that the keys should be pressed sequentially.

Path Notation

We use a shorthand path notation to show you how to reach a given user interface element or option. The path notation is relative to a well-known location. For example, the following path:

Script Editor’s File → Open Dictionary

means “Open the Script Editor’s File menu, then choose Open Dictionary.”

File path delimiters

AppleScript uses ...