New! 'AppleScriptObjC Explored', Third Edition

Extensively revised for Xcode 4.x and Lion

Beginning with Mac OS X v10.6, AppleScript gained new powers through direct access to the abilities of Apple's Cocoa frameworks. For the first time, AppleScript-based applications could take advantage of the full suite of Cocoa application interface elements and tap directly into the power of Objective-C to call Cocoa methods, including those for manipulating text, images, windows, video, address and calendar databases, and much more.

AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley is the definitive guide to building AppleScript Objective-C applications. It guides you step-by-step through the process of integrating the power of Cocoa into your AppleScript applets and applications, demonstrating each concept and technique in fully editable and annotated example projects.

The third edition expands its coverage, with an annotated pictorial guide to using Xcode 4.x, and a chapter on writing AppleScriptObjC applications outside Xcode. Learn how to build document-based applications, to use WebKit to build your own simple browser, and techniques for keeping your interface responsive during time-consuming processes. Learn how to make project snapshots, how to perform shell scripts as separate tasks, how to swap views, and how to use images in tables. And brush up on trouble-shooting techniques.

“Shane did a magnificent job of packing information and tutorials
in a well-written book that is actually interesting to read. If you have
any interest in AppleScriptObjC at all, then spend the $30 and get it.”
—John C. Welch

What other readers have said:

Great book!

Just bought my copy. Wow.

I suspect your book will soon become the AppleScriptObjC bible!

Your book is great. I was a former FaceSpan and AppleScript Studio user, but now I'm hooked.

The style this is written in is just perfect!

Now I'm excited about programming for the Mac again. Thank you!

A huge thanks for your time and effort on the book. Already helped a heap.

This book is the must-have guide for developing ultra-powerful AppleScript apps — ORDER TODAY!

Screen Captures

A sampling of pages from the book: (click to enlarge)

ABOUT THE BOOK

XCODE 4.X VERSION OUT NOW!

AppleScriptObjC Explored by Shane Stanley is the definitive resource on building Cocoa-based applications using AppleScript.

In addition to documenting how to use AppleScriptObjC, this PDF book comes with fully-editable and annotated example projects for you to explore in detail.

The best documentation about AppleScript Objective-C
Written from an AppleScript scripter's perspective
Learn by building a range of projects
More than 20 sample projects
Learn the gotchas and how to work-around them
New Edition covers Xcode 4.x and Lion

OUT NOW! EXPLORER 2.2

Version 2.2 Now Available

AppleScriptObjC Explorer 2 makes it much easier to develop and learn AppleScriptObjC, and to produce Cocoa-based AppleScript applications.

Test your code easily, transfer existing AppleScript scripts.

AppleScriptObjC Explorer is now the ideal external editor for Xcode 4, and includes smart code-completion.

Find out more here.

ASObjC RUNNER

ASObjC Runner is a free application that lets you run scripts that include AppleScriptObjC code from script menus/panels/launchers. Read more and download it here: ASObjC Runner.

MYRIAD HELPERS

These helper files can greatly simplify using some Cocoa classes. Read more and download them here: Myriad Helpers.

ERRATA AND ADDENDA

Up-to-date errata for the third edition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shane Stanley (center, in white) is a long-time AppleScript user and trainer from Melbourne, Australia. He has co-presented the AppleScript Pro Sessions training events in the US for the past 10 years, and specializes in automating workflows in the publishing industry. (photo by Björn Zitting)

VIDEO: ACTIONS AND OULETS

A video demonstrating the connection of application interface elements to their corresponding AppleScript function code using Interface Builder outlets and actions. More here.