Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Exploring OS X: AppleScript
AppleScript is the Mac's own programming language. Like everything else Mac, it's
designed to be intuitive and very easy to use. Making a dialog box appear is simply
a matter of using the built-in AppleScript Editor (within the UTILITIES folder of Applica-
tions) to create an ApppleScript that reads DISPLAY DIALOG . If you'd like to create an
AppleScript that, when run, causes TextEdit to quit, you could type TELL APPLICATION
"TEXTEDIT"TOQUIT . AppleScripts can be saved as actual applications that will run just like
any other.
Although AppleScript quickly gets more complex than simple noun and verb combi-
nations, the intention is that people without any programming experience can at least
read an AppleScript and understand what's happening, if not construct their own.
AppleScript is designed to pass information to and from applications, particularly
those that are built into OS X, such as Finder (some third-party applications include
AppleScript extensions but not many). As such, AppleScript has strictly limited
potential when it comes to creating apps from scratch and isn't comparable to other
user-friendly languages such as BASIC. However, it can't be beat if you want to add
functionality to apps or provide the functionality one app within another.
The AppleScript Editor can be found in the UTILITIES folder of Applications within Finder.
Apple hosts a beginner's guide to AppleScript at HTTP://DEVELOPER.APPLE.COM/LIBRARY/MAC/DOCU-
MENTATION/APPLESCRIPT/CONCEPTUAL/APPLESCRIPTX/APPLESCRIPTX.HTML , and several topics have been
written on the subject.
Tip 314
Get Better Trackpad Right-Clicking
Most Mac trackpads allow you to right-click by placing two fingers on the
trackpad and clicking. However, it takes a little practice to get it right, and it
can be very frustrating to right-click a web link to try to bring up the context
menu only to find it didn't work and you've actually clicked the link!
After a lot of experimentation, I have discovered that two-finger clicking at
the bottom of the trackpad rarely works well. Two-finger clicking in the middle
or top tends to work better. Now that I've trained myself to do this, I rarely
have any issues.
Or try this instead: bunch two fingers together, and then use your thumb to
click the trackpad at the bottom.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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