What is this book about?

Geared toward programmers with no prior development knowledge, Beginning AppleScript serves as a comprehensive guide to using AppleScript on the Mac OS X platform.  This title introduces the reader to AppleScript, and then illustrates how to efficiently start writing scripts through sample programs as each concept is introduced. Exercises at the end of each chapter allow the reader to test and demonstrate their knowledge on how to write functional scripts. The appendices include a list of other resources for additional developer information, and a summary of the language suitable for reference.

Beginning AppleScript

AppleScript is being embraced as a key technology component in Mac OS® X. This powerful scripting language is designed primarily to help coordinate the operation of other programs, and is an ideal solution to general programming problems. In this comprehensive tutorial, expert author Stephen Kochan presents you with all the information you need to understand and efficiently write programs in AppleScript.

As you progress through the book, sample programs accompany the introduction of each new concept, enabling you to write scripts, run them, and then examine the results. In addition, exercises at the end of each chapter test your knowledge. This hands-on guide will show you just how AppleScript''s unique way of doing things differs significantly from any other programming language you''ve used.

What you will learn from this book

• How to start up the Script Editor application, type a program, and run it
• Various ways to work with strings, lists, records, and files
• How AppleScript enables you to communicate easily with other applications
• How to write scripts for iLife® applications such as iTunes®, iPhoto , and iDVD
• Ways to plan for errors, and how to handle them when they do occur
• How to use AppleScript Studio, which is the bridge between AppleScript and GUI applications

Who this book is for

This book is for novice programmers who want to learn how to use AppleScript for general programming applications and to automate time-consuming tasks or experienced programmers who are interested in saving time and money by using this powerful scripting tool.

Stephen G. Kochan has been developing software and writing books for over 20 years. He is the author and coauthor of several best-selling titles on the C language, including Programming in C and Programming in ANSI C (both from Sams Publishing), Programming C for the Mac (Macmillan Computer Publishing), and Topics in C Programming (Wiley Publishing), as well as several Unix titles, including Exploring the Unix System and Unix Shell Programming (both Sams Publishing), and Unix System Security (Hayden Books). His most recent title on Mac programming is Programming in Objective-C (Sams Publishing), which is a tutorial on the primary programming language used on the Mac for application development.