Overview
AppleScript is back in the limelight. As a core part of Apple Computer's strategy of moving forward, the once forgotten power of AppleScript was a big part of Steve Job's Seybold 1998 address. In addition, a new version of AppleScript is under development, and due to be released with Macintosh system 8.2 in June, 1998. This new version, and the subject of this book, shows a 10x speed improvement over the AppleScript of the last decade, and also incorporates a host of new features. In addition, AppleScript is to be a part of Rhapsody, and a strong power-user and developers tool for many years to come.
Why all this attention? Well, much to Apple Computer's surprise as much as anyone else's, AppleScript has undergone something of a rebirth in the last two years. For instance, according to the Georgia Institute of Technology, Applescript is the second most popular language for CGI development after PERL.
This is pretty surprising. Why is it so? Previously a language for automating your Macintosh, AppleScript is now a language for automating the Internet. Using simple third party plug-ins, including Marionette from Allegiant technologies, you can now use AppleScript to reach out onto the Internet. For example, AppleScript is used by many graphics professionals to automate their repetitive tasks with PhotoShop and Quark Express. With Marionette you can now use AppleScript to automate those tasks on the graphics files on your web site. Or use AppleScript to search newsgroups for you, or even write your own simple custom web browser in AppleScript. In addition, with other easy add-ons you can use AppleScript to control servers and computers from other vendors, including Windows and Windows NT.This sleeper technology is covered in depth in AppleScript for the Internet:Visual QuickStart Guide, which begins with the basics, shows how to use AppleScript to control the most common programs used by creative professionals and webmasters, (Quark, Word, Illusrator, Photoshop) and then dives into scripting the Internet, (email, newsgroups, web searching and automation), creating CGI applications and talking to other computers.