Apple Automator with AppleScript Bible

by Thomas Myer

Overview

If you use a Mac, you'll be amazed at what you can automate

Save time when using your Mac with Apple's powerful AppleScript and Automator automation tools, which come standard with Mac OS X. This comprehensive guide shows you how to tap both these handy features to streamline your workflows. Learn how to launch your e-mail every day at a set time, or extract data for analysis on a regular schedule, or dozens of other useful ways to automate routine computer tasks, avoid errors, and save yourself time.

• Explore the most current Automator tricks for Snow Leopard

• Learn essential Automator concepts, such as actions, workflows, plugins, and Apple events

• Create a droplet and simple scripts while mastering AppleScript's syntax, variables, objects, and properties

• Automate routines you do all the time, such as opening iTunes® to a random track or making slideshows

• Manipulate files and e-mails, convert PDFs to images, find Calendar items, and discover other functions to automate

Companion Web Site

Visit wiley.com/go/applescriptbible for the author's code samples from the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780470604311
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/29/2009
Series:	Bible , #662
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	576
File size:	24 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Thomas Myer is a consultant, technical author, and speaker. He owns Triple Dog Dare Media and specializes in many aspects of Linux- and Mac-based development, including Web content management systems, blogs, wikis, dashboard widgets, iPhone applications, UNIX systems programming, and Applescripting. He is the author of five books, including Professional CodeIgniter and Mac OS X UNIX Toolbox.

Read an Excerpt

Click to read or download

Table of Contents

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Quick Start: Dive into Automator and AppleScript.

Part I: The Fundamentals of Automation.

Chapter 1: What Is Automation?

Chapter 2: Automation from a User’s Perspective.

Chapter 3: Automator Basics.

Chapter 4: Advanced Automator Topics.

Part II: A Detailed Look at AppleScript.

Chapter 5: AppleScript Basics.

Chapter 6: AppleScript Objects and Dictionaries.

Chapter 7: Working with Variables and Properties.

Chapter 8: Operators, Expressions, and Statements.

Chapter 9: Conditionals and Loops.

Chapter 10: Handling User Input.

Chapter 11: AppleScript Subroutines.

Chapter 12: Applets and Droplets.

Chapter 13: Folder Actions.

Chapter 14: AppleScript Studio.

Part III: Automation Projects.

Chapter 15: Ten Automation Projects for Files and Folders.

Chapter 16: Ten Automation Projects for Music and Audio Files.

Chapter 17: Ten Automation Projects for Photos and Images.

Chapter 18: Ten Automation Projects for Text Files.

Chapter 19: Ten Custom Automation Projects.

Part IV: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Automator Resources.

Appendix B: AppleScript Resources.

Appendix C: AppleScript Reference.

Appendix D: Automator Actions and Variables.