Learn AppleScript: The Comprehensive Guide to Scripting and Automation on Mac OS X, Third Edition

Chapter 5. Understanding How Application Scripting Works

While the AppleScript language can be used for many general scripting tasks, by far the most common and important use for it is automating desktop applications—which isn't surprising, as this is the main reason it was created in the first place. In fact, often when people talk about "AppleScripting," they don't just mean scripting with the AppleScript language, but application scripting as a whole! One point I make throughout the book is that the AppleScript language is pretty small on its own. It has merely five commands and a handful of objects. What makes AppleScript so powerful is the ease with which it can interact with hundreds of scriptable applications and scripting additions, getting ...