AppleScript in a Nutshell is the first complete reference to AppleScript, the popular programming language that gives both power users and sophisticated enterprise customers the important ability to automate repetitive tasks and customize applications. As the Macintosh continues to expand and solidify its base in the multimedia and publishing industries, AppleScript is the tool of choice on this platform for creating sophisticated time- and money-saving workflow applications (applets). These applets automate the processing and management of digital video, imaging, print, and web-based material. AppleScript is also gaining a foothold in scientific programming, as technical organizations adopt G4 CPU-based systems for advanced computing and scientific analysis. Finally, "power users" and script novices will find that AppleScript is a great everyday Mac programming tool, similar to Perl on Windows NT or Unix. In this well-organized and concise reference, AppleScript programmers will find:

• Detailed coverage of AppleScript Version 1.4 and beyond on Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

• Complete descriptions of AppleScript language features, such as data types, flow-control statements, functions, object-oriented features (script objects and libraries), and other syntactical elements.

• Descriptions and hundreds of code samples on programming the various "scriptable" system components, such as the Finder, File Sharing, File Exchange, Network scripting, Web scripting, Apple System Profiler, the ColorSync program, and the numerous powerful language extensions called "osax" or scripting additions. Most other AppleScript books are hopelessly out of date. AppleScript in a Nutshell covers the latest updates and improvements with practical, easy to understand tips, including:

• Using AppleScript as a tool for distributed computing, an exciting development that Apple Computer calls "program linking over IP." Programmers can now do distributed computing with Macs over TCP/IP networks, including controlling remote applications with AppleScript and calling AppleScript methods on code libraries that are located on other machines.

• Using the Sherlock find application to automate web and network searching.

• Insights on scripting new Apple technologies such as Apple Data Detectors, Folder Actions, Keychain Access, and Apple Verifier. AppleScript in a Nutshell is a high-end handbook at a low-end price--an essential desktop reference that puts the full power of this user-friendly programming language into every AppleScript user's hands.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 14 Ratings

Think of it as a dictionary... - 2003-04-15
Reviewer Rating:
This book is more like an expansion of the Apple downloadable resources for Applescript. It covers most everything regarding Finder scripting, and has some examples. I feel that the actual script examples in the book need more of the surrounding script for better context, but overall you can get the idea. This is more of a desk reference for me, since I can't fathom trying to read it straight through unless I've had waaaaay too much caffiene. Of all of the Applescript publications, this is the closest there is to a reference book, but it will not teach you to program in Applescript per se.

A difficult subject that's not made any easier - 2003-06-30
Reviewer Rating:
First, be warned that the book largely covers OS 9; what coverage of OS X there is, is now largely dated (pre-10.2).

As other reviews have stated, it's hard to get anything done when using this book as a reference. AppleScript is a very unique technology, and the book makes an admirable start at explaining how it works.

But any time I pick this book up, I'm goal oriented: I want to set the topmost window in Terminal to 100x50 and make the text yellow. How do I do that? I want to open a URL in Mozilla and execute some JavaScript via AppleScript. How do I do that? I want to show the Desktop by hiding all applications and making Finder minimize its windows. How do I do that?

Again, as others have pointed out, finding scripts on the Net has been my best resource. This book has helped marginally at best. One good thing the book could have done: when I open an application's dictionary, how can I write loops and subroutines to manipulate the objects I see? How can I write code to discover what they do?

The problem with any book on AppleScript is that every application has a different interface (sort of... they all have the standard suite (and the book doesn't seem to tell you how to even manipulate the standard suite, very frustrating)) but then any decent application will have lots of custom commands and objects you can manipulate.

I'll give a tepid "yes" to buying this book, but it's certainly not the genre-breaker we are all still looking for.

Useless - 2002-10-30
Reviewer Rating:
A second nomination for worst O'Reilly book ever. Mistakes, confusion and just bad information are plentiful in this title by someone who knows nothing about AppleScript clearly. Why did O'Reilly pick this author to write the book when experts exist? Most all other of their titles are written by known authorities in their field - Bruce Perry is NOT an AppleScript authority.

Rewrite it O'Reilly! Keep your good rep... - 2003-02-01
Reviewer Rating:
What happened here?

O'Reilly usually has SUCH good books - this is not one of them. Looks like the author could have used some help on this subject matter... A rewrite is in order if O'Reilly really wants to prove to Mac users that it cares about the platform. I mean AppleScript is the only truly native language to the Mac.

Disappointed - 2006-05-25
Reviewer Rating:
As an experienced applescripter, I was really disappointed with this book. It's just a boring, uninformative rundown of the scripting dictionaries of some OS 9 applications, with a very weak introduction to scripting in OS 10. I learned nothing from this book, and if I were a beginner, I still would have learned nothing from it. Usually I love O'Reilly books, but this one is an exception.

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