I have not programming background, but I do like automating as many tasks on my computer as possibly can. So for the last year or so I've been playing around with AppleScript, mainly copying the scripts I found from different sources, but along the way I'm slowly beginning to understand how to put together scripts almost from scratch. This book has been very resourceful because it has the familiar Missing Manual style of breaking the essential features of a program so that almost anyone can understand. Some of the examples in this book are not very practical, but for those who want to learn AppleScript, you won't waste your money and time getting and reading this book.

Once again, the Missing Manual series comes to the rescue. Anyone wanting a comprehendible primer on Applescript should look no further. This book is well organized, advancing logically chapter by chapter. Like all Missing Manual books, it explains technical concepts in plain english.

"AppleScript: The missing manual" is complete and will teach you the basic of AppleScript to the point where you can write your own script to accomplish all kinds of tasks.
The book is pleasently only 325 pages and can be assimilated rather quickly.
The book provides automation examples for a lot of standard Mac fonctionalities and also some third party applications.

I only gave it 3 stars for two reasons.

First I am not a big fan of the style of the author. When I want to learn something I favor an academic style, I find it easier to assimilate things that way. "AppleScript: The missing manual" is written like if it was an everyday conversation however with opinion and jokes.

Second and this is my main complaint, this is a book written mainly by example. There is no real description of syntax of the language at all not even the basic basics. So in order to get a feel for the language you need to read plenty of samples and try to undestand what the author is doing.

I would not recommend this book for any professional or advanced developper who are looking to learn what AppleScript is or how to use AppleScript. This book could however be a good addition for those that want to see example of how AppleScript can be use.

This book is loaded with information from A-Z in AppleScript. I am a programmer. I read the other reviews by programmers who said the book "wasn't enough". This book is the best on the market for AppleScript and if you are starting out writing applications in AppleScript Studio. I couldn't hail it enough.

This book is very basic and doesn't really get into any depth. Rather than teaching the fundamentals of AppleScript, it's more of a guided tour to what you can accomplish with AppleScript in various common applications. For the average computer user, this may be helpful, but if you're a programmer and want to learn how to write your own scripts, other resources would be a better bet.

I also wasn't impressed with the writing style or organization - while I *am* impressed that a high school student could write a book like this, for most technically inclined people, I'd look elsewhere.

"Applescript - the missing manual" is OK as an introduction to the basics of Applescript - it explains how to edit & run a script, gives a feel for what applescript looks like and what its capable of, and describes some useful tools - but I was disappointed by its coverage of the heart of the subject: the syntax of the language. To learn how to do anything even slightly beyond the examples given in the book (which are mostly rather trite) I had to go to the Applescript Language Guide, on the Apple developers site. This actually explains the language, though its way out of date and pretty heavy going.

Overall, an OK book to get started but you'll need something more detailed to really use applescript. If you already know how to program, I'd recommend looking for something a bit more technical.

"Applescript - the missing manual" is OK as an introduction to the basics of Applescript - it explains how to edit & run a script, gives a feel for what applescript looks like and what its capable of, and describes some useful tools - but I was disappointed by its coverage of the heart of the subject: the syntax of the language. To learn how to do anything even slightly beyond the examples given in the book (which are mostly rather trite) I had to go to the Applescript Language Guide, on the Apple developers site. This actually explains the language, though its way out of date and pretty heavy going.

Overall, an OK book to get started but you'll need something more detailed to really use applescript. If you already know how to program, I'd recommend looking for something a bit more technical.

This title doesn't get down to the fine details or into more advanced AppleScript, yet it does have the ability to get one started on the right track. It's a book for beginners with little understanding of AppleScript. It's well written and easy to follow. It might be all you need...but for those of you who have experience and need to get deeper into the language, I'd suggest another book. It's also based on Panther AppleScript so there are a few pieces of script that need a little fixing in order for it to work in Tiger, but I found it rare. I feel pretty comfortable with AppleScript after reading this book and I'm able to build upon the basics much faster.

This title doesn't get down to the fine details or into more advanced AppleScript, yet it does have the ability to get one started on the right track. It's a book for beginners with little understanding of AppleScript. It's well written and easy to follow. It might be all you need...but for those of you who have experience and need to get deeper into the language, I'd suggest another book. It's also based on Panther AppleScript so there are a few pieces of script that need a little fixing in order for it to work in Tiger, but I found it rare. I feel pretty comfortable with AppleScript after reading this book and I'm able to build upon the basics much faster.

As have other reviewers, I found this book gives enough information to get me in trouble or to get me frustrated but doesn't give enough details or explanations or even examples to get me out of them. You could do several things using the book but if you tried to do something very different from what he illustrated you'd probably get mysterious error messages and little or no help understanding what the problem is.

I have used the Missing Manual for going from Windows to Mac and found it far more helpful than this book.

I'd urge you to spend a bit more and get something much more complete. I just bought "Applescript The Definitive Guide (2'nd. ed.)" by M. Neuburg and I'm hopeful it will meet my needs. I notice there are several other books available here for beginners and I'd consider some of them before getting this one.

As have other reviewers, I found this book gives enough information to get me in trouble or to get me frustrated but doesn't give enough details or explanations or even examples to get me out of them. You could do several things using the book but if you tried to do something very different from what he illustrated you'd probably get mysterious error messages and little or no help understanding what the problem is.

I have used the Missing Manual for going from Windows to Mac and found it far more helpful than this book.

I'd urge you to spend a bit more and get something much more complete. I just bought "Applescript The Definitive Guide (2'nd. ed.)" by M. Neuburg and I'm hopeful it will meet my needs. I notice there are several other books available here for beginners and I'd consider some of them before getting this one.

this is just a great book im not sure where to begin this review. i am new to programming and i wanted to start off small and applescript seemed like just the thing. after reading tiger missing manual i decided to get this book on the recomendation of david pogue. i was not disapointed. applescript is really easy to use and this book shows you excatly how to use it(just like an missing manual book does). i highly reccomnd this and any other missing manual title to any beginner or power user. being a power user myself i definetly got my moneys worth from all these books. im currently reading iphoto 6 from david pogue and im allittle disapointed on that one its more of a "how to take pictures" than how to use iphoto. but iphoto being such an intuitive program you really don't need much to learn to use it.

This is not a "manual" in any sense of the word. A manual tells you how, where, and when. This is more like a tour guide of Applescript. Sure there are scripts, but few of them make the Mac easier to use than its own OSX interface. The information is presented in such a scattered form, that it is hard to follow for very long, and therefore hard to learn. It's like trying to learn to be a chef by watching the Cooking Channel.

This is not a "manual" in any sense of the word. A manual tells you how, where, and when. This is more like a tour guide of Applescript. Sure there are scripts, but few of them make the Mac easier to use than its own OSX interface. The information is presented in such a scattered form, that it is hard to follow for very long, and therefore hard to learn. It's like trying to learn to be a chef by watching the Cooking Channel.

Pros: Humorous, Easy To Read, Numerous Good Examples
Cons: Teaches primarily by example, Little rigorous treatment of the language itself
Recommended for: People with no programming experience who want to automate their Mac and beginning programmers who want to learn the basic principles of programming in an easy-to-learn language

The author, a high school student, gives us a good introductory book about AppleScript. It stays true to the "Missing Manual" philosophy in that if the average Mac user found it in the box with their new Mac, they wouldn't be turned off by it.

However, given the lackluster reception that Automator received with the release of Tiger, it seems to me that the potential audience of people with limited programming experience who want to automate their mac is quite limited. Therefore, I think that the ideal audience for this book is beginning programmers who want to learn the fundamental, and universal, concepts of programming using an easy-to-understand language that is already available on their computer.

Chapter 1 shows how to enable the Script Menu and walks us through each script therein. Chapter 2 shows how to launch and use the Script Editor to open, modify and save scripts. These 2 chapters provide an introduction to what is already installed on each new Mac.

Chapter 3 is the first chapter that begins to introduce the language itself. This chapter introduces dialog boxes and the "tell" statement for controlling other applications. This chapter also introduces the concept of "dictionaries." Dictionaries are the essence of AppleScript in that they outline every command and variable of each program that is AppleScriptable. Much of the book is essentially an overview of key selected items out of the dictionaries of common programs such as the Finder and TextEdit. In fact, a large portion of the most commonly used commands in AppleScript are found in the Finder and Standard Additions dictionaries.

Chapters 4, 5 and 6 introduce key programming concepts such as looping, subroutines, string manipulation and lists. These concepts are introduced as needed to complete particular example scripts. Each of these programming concepts in introduced in a very easy-to-understand method with some concepts, like inheritance, explained using analogies even your mother could understand.

Chapters 7 through 10 focus primarily on scripting specific programs based upon the commands found in each program's dictionary (e.g., iTunes, Safari, iPhoto). However, some interesting concepts specific to AppleScript are discussed as needed. For instance, these chapters introduce the "say" command to invoke Text-to-Speech and the "record" datatype which works much like a hashtable does in PERL.

Chapter 11 introduces folder actions and how to link scripts to them. Chapter 12 discusses the System Events dictionary and how it can be used to script programs that would not otherwise be AppleScriptable. Chapter 13 introduces some basic UNIX commands and how they can be executed from within an AppleScript.

Chapter 14 discusses debugging and introduces AppleScripts's version of try-catch statements. This is a very important chapter for beggining programmers, especially since these concepts are well presented and directly applicable to programming in any language.

Finally, chapter 15 introduces the use of XCode and Interface Builder to create more sophistocated AppleScripts. This chapter is not only a good introduction to building complex AppleScript applications, but it is an easy-to-follow introduction to the concepts in XCode and Interface Builder that are common to all types of projects -- be they in AppleScript, C++ or Objective-C.

My major complaint with this book is that it does not have a list of all of the language's keywords with the syntax for the use of each (similar to what you might see in a "Nutshell" book). Without this, the book is not as effective of a reference tool as simply going to the dictionaries directly. Also, I feel that the book glosses over the fact that although AppleScript is a very "English-like" language, it does require precise syntax.

Overall, it is a good introduction to programming and true to the "missing manual" series. However, a slightly more rigorous examination of the language syntax would take it from "good" to "great."

As a long time hobbyist, im not really impressed. This book doesn't really touch on too many of the 'hard' issues one would face when first getting started with applescript. The languages syntax, for example, is not as intuitive as its description suggests. Its english like, but its not english, and english takes a decade or so to master.

The book says little about the language, and a disproportionately large part of it is just a series of example scripts categorized by the programs being scripted.

This book is more like the answers to the test than the course that would prepare you for the test. I learned close to nothing from it.

Im sure it has its place, but as someone pretty familiar with programming, I find that practical examples _aswell as_ some deeper, language directed discussion is nessesary to get anything other than a weak grasp on any language. Especially a language as slippery as applescript. But I guess I got what I paid for... its a pretty cheap book.

Ok, I confess it. I am a programmer. My desire was pretty simple. I wanted a book that would show me all of the parts of Applescript and how to use them.

This is NOT that book. You can see the sample scripts but very little explains how to take that information to make scripts of your own.

This book has lots of sample scripts, but since I am not interested in scripting those applications, it isn't helpful to me.

Perhpas I just wanted too much, but I sent this book back.

Title: AppleScript, The Missing Manual
Author: Adam Goldstein
Publisher: Pogue Press/O'Reilly & Associates, February, 2005
ISBN: 0-596-00850-3

Reviewed by: Curt Blanchard, Tucson Macintosh Users Group

Apple introduced AppleScript in 1993 as a way of automating repetitive Mac chores. Over the years, it has evolved to the point where nearly everything the Mac does can be scripted. Instead of arcane programming code, AppleScripts are written in English partly because its roots are in HyperCard. However, getting the terminology and syntax right requires a good, clear understanding of the AppleScript language. Once again, O'Reilly Press rides to the rescue with another in their excellent Missing Manual series. This at-your-own-pace book begins with the basics of everyday scripting tasks and takes the reader through lists, network scripting, databases and ends with a very detailed power-user section.

This approachable book is written in an enthusiastic, good-humored style (funny, even); important with a subject as intimidating as this. The examples and thoughtful tutorials are exceptionally clear. The author, Adam Goldstein deserves special mention - he's only 17 years old! In his foreword, David Pogue tells about meeting Goldstein when he was only 14 and how impressed he was. He has already been involved in several O'Reilly books even though he's still a high school student in New Jersey. There can be no questions about his bright future. If you are new to AppleScript or an old hand, this well written book is highly recommended.

--Curt Blanchard
Tucson Macintosh Users Group

AppleScript: The Missing Manual provides hands-on experiences to learn scripting. This is truly the "Missing Manual" for those wanting to automate their Macintosh. As with other Missing Manuals on-line scripts are available with the author providing step-by-step guidance.

The Overview explains Script Menu, how to use the Script Editor, and guides readers into the world of Scripting. Readers modify existing scripts and write their first AppleScript.

This Missing Manual enables readers build proficiency by modifying existing scripts in preparation to enter each new chapter. The author helps novices gain confidence as their skill level matures. With this publication readers are empowered to advance their skill level at their own pace.

For those wanting to maximize benefits of a Macintosh, AppleScript: The Missing Manual is a must have.

Book Review: AppleScript: The Missing Manual
By Frank Petrie

Author: Adam Goldstein
Publisher: Pogue Press/O'Reilly
Price: $24.95 USD
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Power-User
Rating: Five out of Five stars


Do you work for your computer or does your computer work for you? I should hope its the later. If not, you might want to pick up a copy of AppleScript: The Missing Manual and show your Mac who's the boss.

Another entry in the ever popular 'Missing Manual' series , Mr. Goldstein, the teenage founder of GoldfishSoft, manages to take you from an overview of AS's underpinnings in Panther (OS X.3) to as far as you care to get involved with the Script Editor.

There's examples of some of the most common repetitive functions accompanied with scripts, thorough explanations, graphics and sidebars. You are also instructed how to download the "Missing CD," which contain all of the examples and exercises from the book.

The book is broken down into four major sections:

*ýAppleScript Overview - where the glaze is wiped from your eyes and all your fears dissipated
* Everyday Scripting Tasks - actual hands-on scripting with applications that you probably use on a daily basis
* Power-user Features - learn how to get the most out of your scripts so your computer does the work while you sit out side on the porch experiencing daylight
* Appendixes - Part One, lists OS X friendly scriptable programs; Part Two, how to move your old HyperCard scripts into AppleScript; Part Three - references to more books and websites

The author writes in such a calming voice that actually makes this manual a page turner! You'll be amazed at how easily you learn AS as he builds upon each successive lesson. And if you've never delved into scripting functions for your Mac, you'll be amazed at just how powerful this unheralded application can be. And how much you'll want to roll up your sleeves are get immediately to work.

This may be the push that you need to start getting under the hood and fine tuning your machine to be the Mac of your dreams.

Pros: Easy to read and follow; be the envy of your friends by knowing the meaning of boolean

Cons: This could be the start of a major addiction; I'm old enough to be the author's father

=============================================

ý2005 Frank Petrie - Freelance writer, Macsimum News contributing editor, Curmudgeon

AppleScript used to be for fairly mundane operations. It rose partly in response to DOS and unix machines having their scripting languages for automating various tasks. Well, as the Mac OS grew, so too did the scope of AppleScript. Now Goldstein shows how you can easily use it for automating many manual tasks in OS X. Unsurprisingly, since this is Apple we are talking about, the Script Editor and Script Menu facilities are very cleanly designed.

As for the language itself - it is far more readable than a unix shell script or the latest Microsoft batch files. This is both good and bad, depending on your point of view. It is good in that a new user of AppleScript, who perhaps is not from a technical background, can understand it more easily. So AppleScript can outreach to a broader audience. However, if you do end up learning it, the verbosity can be a little tiresome. Experienced programmers tend to prefer brevity.

But there is a countervailing point. The nice thing is that OS X is a full unix variant. Complete with various unix scripting languages. So you have several choices of languages besides AppleScript.

I saw Adam do a presentation on AppleScript at the O'Reilly booth during MacWorld SF '05 and was so impressed that I bought the book. As webmaster of "Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes", I'm frequently asked to recommend a good AppleScript book for beginners and this is it. It covers everything you need to know to get started AppleScripting right away, and will even teach some old hands new tricks. I highly recommend it.

Despite the fact I've been using a Mac for years, I've never spent any time with AppleScript. I never really gave it much thought - until I started looking at various AppleScript I pulled from the web. I picked up this book to educate myself a little better on AppleScript.

There are plenty of scripts ready to tweak and also plenty information to get building AppleScript on your own. I appreciated the pictures and figures on every couple pages break it up - which is good because it gets a little verbose at times. =) I also liked the "Power User Clinic" sections that give a little extra info.

Well done - I'll be an AppleScript expert in no time. =)