os x scripting

[mac_shinobi]

Not sure if there are any good websites but saw one or two threads relating to scripting on os x and was just wondering if anyone knew of any good tutorial type sites for scripting in os x ?

[HodgeHi]

what sort? Apple scripting or unix shell scripting?

 

I am looking into this as well. If you find any information, let me know. There is a link to applescript on the apple site, although there isn't much info there. If you know the syntax or how to build an applescript there is a dictionary available. This allows you to see just what type of options are available. For example if you open the dictionary and then choose Finder from the list, you can then see what options there are available, such as copy duplicate contents etc. There is also the record option which i was looking at yesterday which seemed to work quite well. It allows you to record what you do and then enters the appropriate code into the applescript window building it up bit by bit. A good way to see just how it works.

 

Unix scripts. There is a section for shell scripting for beginners on the developers site. I have it in PDF format. I have attached it here for you to download.

 

Remember both applescript and shell scripts can be leveraged using Automator which also has the advantage of variables as well now.

ShellScripting.pdf

[mac_shinobi]

all of the above really - I got quite into vbscripting when I was using windows and would be nice to get a taste of what both of the above are like. I did do some very simplistic apple scripts but wanted a bit more then just that.

[CyberNerd]

This is quite good unix shell intro that was written for osx in mind:

http://nemorathwald.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/unixforthebeginningmage.pdf

The concepts are equally applicable to linux/bsd

 

I'd be inclined to learn a cross platform scripting language so that you don't limit yourself to a particular system. Python, perl, Ruby have plenty of sites dedicated to them - The advantage of true cross platform is that you shouldn't need to re-wite your scripts for windows.

[mac_shinobi]

That is true about the cross platform scripting - however out of the ones you mentioned and possibly some other ones you may not of mentioned ( which one would be the better one to learn with a reasonable learning curve and will be of most use ) ?

[CyberNerd]

That is true about the cross platform scripting - however out of the ones you mentioned and possibly some other ones you may not of mentioned ( which one would be the better one to learn with a reasonable learning curve and will be of most use ) ?

 

IMHO python is well suited as a scripting language for *nix, and it's a lot easier to learn than perl - but (as always) there are things that you'll be able to achieve easier using bash shell scripts (or vbs!).

So probably, learn some shell commands/scripts - then use python for the more complicated things.

Edited August 22, 2008 by CyberNerd