Iphoto Applescript

AppleScript is Apple Inc.'s scripting language that is built into the Mac OS. It is a versatile and powerful programming language that allows users to control software applications, databases, Web services, networks, and the operating system itself. AppleScript is meant to operate alongside the graphical user interface (GUI).

AppleScripts: An Overview

This scripting language is intended for end-users to control applications and to create automated workflows. Since Mac programs use standard Apple Events when communicating with the operating system, an AppleScript can address several applications.

Every scriptable application has an Apple Event dictionary that contains AppleScript terminology. AppleScript uses this dictionary to verify which commands are executable within the context of a specific application. When scripts are compiled and at runtime, AppleScript evaluates the Apple Event dictionary of the application. Plug-ins supported by some applications may also be Apple Scriptable with their own Apple Event dictionary. You can view the AppleScript Dictionary of any application by using the Script Editor.

AppleScript is supported by a number of Mac OS X applications, including those from Apple and non-Apple sources. These include iPhoto, iTunes, Safari, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, TextWrangler, and Microsoft Word and Excel.

The Development Tools

AppleScript uses several tools to communicate with the operating system and to control applications.

Among them are the following:

Automator. This allows the point-and-click method of creating workflows to automate repetitive tasks. Automator works with a wide range of programs including Finder, Safari, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Photoshop.

Script Editor. It performs the function of writing and debugging AppleScripts. It also provides access to an Apple Events dictionaries' library that corresponds to your computer's scriptable applications.

Script Menu. Access to AppleScripts using the menu bar of the Mac OS X is provided by the Script Menu.

AppleScript Utility. This enables the performance of the following: setting Default Script Editor, enabling GUI Scripting, setting up of Folder Actions, and showing Script Menu in the Menu Bar.

AppleScriptObjC. This uses AppleScript along with the Cocoa framework to build graphical user interfaces.

There are also other tools from other software companies such as Script Debugger, FaceSpan, and Smile which perform similar functions as those from Apple.