AppleScript for Applications: Visual QuickStart Guide

AppleScript is one of the reasons I switched platforms ten years ago, but trying to find decent books that teach this terrific tool is an exercise in frustration, especially if you are a beginner. If you are, this is not the first book you should buy. However, if you have written a couple of scripts on your own and want to see how to really use it with various applications, then this book is a find. It covers OS 9 and 10.1, and of course, cries out for an update, but until a new version comes out you can read this and learn a lot. Mr. Wilde explains each section of the script, letting you know what specific commands or sentences (AppleScript, is, after all, very close to plain english) do, which is a very good way to learn the subject. He's also written several other books on scripting, including one on scripting Adobe Illustrator; and it is clear he knows his stuff.

I need to correct my original review of this book. My initial impression was that it was too OS 9 specific, and that it would be better to wait for an OS X version. I've since spent more time with it and my first impression was wrong.The book was printed in 2002, so I don't think we'll see the next edition until 2004. That's too long to go without this book. Even if you live in the OS X world, there's more than enough OS X or global AppleScript content to justify the purchase.I've found the examples to be quite clear and very helpful. If it had more OS X coverage I'd give it five stars, but it well deserves a four star rating. Recommended.

3 recommendations for AppleScript users:1) get Script Debugger - a great script editing environment2) BUY THIS BOOK3) download the sample scripts and head to the chapters that cover your favorite applications.This is the best AppleScript book in print, hands down. And the author even answers AppleScript help emails - I know 'cause I've written to him!

I just started learning AppleScript - I already know some other programming languages.This book starts with a great 3-4 chapters that cover all of the basics of the AppleScript language in clear and concise explanations, ALWAYS with examples and screenshots. It was very easy for me to follow and I was ready to write my own scripts by the end of these starting chapters.THEN THIS BOOK REALLY SHINES. Chapter after chapter of detailed scripting tips, examples and explanations for ALL THE APPS I REALLY USE. (Oh yeah, all the sample scripts can be downloaded from Peachpit's site - too cool!)

In my opinion, this book is the best thing ever for someone who really wants to use AppleScript. It is the ONLY book available that actually provides detailed scripts with step-by-step explanations for scripting tons of things on your Mac: many control panels, the Finder, FileMaker, Quark, and over 20 other apps...Real users of AppleScript will find many things that alone make the book worthwhile. New scripters who actually follow the introductory scripting chapters will get a great bootstrap into the following chapters filled with real-world scripts and explanations of unique scripting tips for different applications.