The following components make up the package Scriptable Apps Searcher version 1.0:
• AppleScript Apps Searcher 1.0
• GTQScriptingLibrary1.1
A set of osax, or scripting extensions, which provide the scriptor with greater options. This library was written by Gregory T. Quinn and is included in this package with the consent of the latter because Scriptable Apps Searcher depends on it. See below for additional details.
• Finder Liaison 1.1 and Progress Bar 1.0.1
These scripting utilities are required by Scriptable Apps Searcher. They were written by Gregory H. Dow, and are included in this package with his consent.
• this “Read Me” file.
Although this application depends on the other parts of this package, this extra overhead has proven to be a necessity in order to produce powerful and useful scripts, and I’m certain other developers will be using these additions in the future. For your convenience, they have been bundled with this first version of Scriptable Apps Searcher.
INSTALLATION
It is assumed here that the AppleScript® scripting language system has been entirely installed. Scriptable Apps Searcher requires the use of the scripting additions originally installed.
Scriptable Apps Searcher also depends only on the following osax scripting extensions contained in the GTQScriptingLibrary:
- Choose Files & Folders
- File IO
- List Resource Types in
- Make Alias
Although you may decide to install only the above, I suggest that all the additions contained in the GTQScriptingLibrary be placed in the folder Scripting Additions, in the Extensions folder of the startup System Folder. They could come in handy in the future.
Finally, place Finder Liaison and Progress Bar in the same folder as Scriptable Apps Searcher, at least at first, so that the latter will locate them easily on the first run. You may thereafter move them to a more convenient location.
WHAT IS THIS UTILITY?
This utility, for one, is the first serious result of my thrive to learn AppleScript®, the scripting language developed by Apple™. I originally noticed that one of the weaknesses of this scripting language as a tool to control applications is that few of the latter can actually be scripted. Most of them do not understand AppleScript invocations.
To figure out exactly which ones I could use AppleScript with, I designed this utility, which will browse through a directory and its sub-directories looking for “scriptable” applications.
As is the case with any programming project, bells and whistles soon became a necessity. This original version packs those which I found indispensable (to make this product a serious one...).
WHAT DOES IT DO?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, this application will inspect a directory and its minions in search of scriptable apps.
You can use this droplet in either of two ways. By simply opening it, you can select a folder to peruse. The less banal (and more practical!) way, though, is to drop the folder you wish to be searched onto it.
You are given the option to display a progress bar. The catch behind this feature is that, in order to work, the items in the folder and its sub-folders must first be counted up. AppleScript 1.0 does not offer the scriptor any neat way of counting these items. Both the scriptable Finder and AppleScript 1.1 make this task much easier, but I do not possess either of them yet.
I thought it would be a good idea to create aliases of any scriptable apps encountered in a new or designated folder instead of merely keeping a list, since thereafter Script Editor can be used to easily access the dictionaries (a list of AppleScript commands accepted by the app) of these apps.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Surprisingly (or perhaps not so!), most of the code that runs this utility amounts to traps in the event an error occurs. I’ve dealt with the problem of possible conflicts in naming, both of the new folder for the aliases to be placed in, if the user so chooses, and of aliases for scriptable applications that have been found.
I believe I have addressed any possible pitfalls with respect to every eventuality possible under “normal” circumstances. By “normal”, I do not include the following:
- an unsuccessful installation of AppleScript and/or this package.
- any error arising from a corrupted system or faulty media.
- any error arising from a corrupted file, folder, desktop file.
DISTRIBUTION/DISCLAIMER
AppleScript Apps Searcher is freeware. You may therefore copy and distribute this package under the following conditions:
- this package, and notably Scriptable Apps Searcher, must only be distributed complete (as described above in the intro) and intact, in the way you received it.
- I retain all rights over the intellectual contents of the application Scriptable Apps Searcher.
- this package may not be uploaded to any site which receives monetary compensation for its services as a function of time spent. Examples of such sites include CompuServe, AOL. You may upload this product to sites operating under a fixed membership fee, such as the BMUG BBS. Anonymous ftp sites, such as mac.archive.umich.edu, are fine.
- the authors of the other components of this package have secured rights of their own. You must abide by them. Inspect their “Read Me” or documentation files for more details. These rights in no way (I hope not!) interfere with the rights I have claimed above.
I reject any responsibility incurred from any form of damage caused by this product. Although I believe this product to be innocuous, and have removed any possible bugs to the best of my ability and knowledge, this package comes as is, without warranty of any kind.
In the event you do not agree with any aspect of the above legal disclaimer, you must destroy any copies you have made of this software package.
POSSIBLE INNOVATIONS
- In order to circumvent the delay behind using a progress bar, I could offer the user the option of entering the total number of items- information readily available through the Get Info window in the Finder, in himself via a dialog box. This would drastically cut overall time spent.
- Play a sound when done. It could possibly be stored as a resource in this application...
Anything you feel is worthwhile (within limits)! If you find any bugs, please let know. Send comments/suggestions to my US address, or E-Mail me.
I would like to thank Derrick Schneider for the advice he gave me regarding technicalities associated with the development of this product. Kudos also go to Rich Martin for his original implementation of leafName, a subroutine that returns the name of a Finder object given its path.
As I’ve said, this product is freeware. Nevertheless, if you are so inclined as to help me out with a donation, I’d be more than glad to include you on the mailing list for future versions of this package. Hey, as a college student, I have to find a way to make ends meet when the time comes to pay the bills! Thanks for any possible support.
Martin Bowen
Again, here are the ways to contact me.
Martin Bowen (permanent address, not local to campus)
3009 Windsor Drive
Alameda, CA 94501
USA
E-Mail: mbowen@uclink.berkeley.edu
AppleScript®, Apple™ are registered trademarks are Apple Computer, Inc.
