AppleScript is a high-level scripting language that comes free on the Mac platform. This handy scripting language adds functionality to the Mac operating system by automating tasks and adding functions to your Mac. If you are new to programming with AppleScript and are looking for a solid introduction, this is the book for you. Developed by computer science professors, books in the for the absolute beginner series teach the principles of programming through simple game creation. AppleScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner provides you with the programming skills that you need and shows you how to put these skills to use in real-world scenarios. Best of all, by the time you finish the book, you will be able to apply the basic principles you've learned to the next programming language you tackle.
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About the Author
Jerry Lee Ford, Jr. is an author, educator, and an IT professional with more than 18 years of experience in information technology, including roles as an automation analyst, technical manager, technical support analyst, automation engineer, and security analyst. Jerry has a master's degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He is the author of 22 other books and co-author of 2 additional books. His published works include AppleScript Studio Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Microsoft Windows Shell Scripting for the Absolute Beginner, Perl Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Beginning REALbasic, Microsoft Windows Shell Scripting and WSH Administrator's Guide, VBScript Professional Projects, and Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition Programming for the Absolute Beginner. He has more than five years of experience as an adjunct instructor teaching networking courses in information technology. Jerry lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Mary, and their children, William, Alexander,and Molly.
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3.4 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Website for AppleScript Programming Book
Dec 16 2008
By R. Eckweiler
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I picked up this book on a whim, and found it quite well organized. Yes there are typos, but usually they are easy to workthrough with a little thought. Most of the program examples worked as published, and if you question whether the problem is yours or the books, you can look on the book's website.
Yes, the website is not easy to locate. Start at www.courseptr.com and click on 'Programming' in the left menu. Next, under 'Programming Subcategories' again select 'Programming'. The AppleScript book is listed down the page a bit. Click on the title of the book and you are taken to the page for the book. There, near the bottom is a link to download the Scripts.zip file. This file opens on the Mac desktop, when clicked on, into a folder with a name that is a bunch of numbers. Inside you will find ten folders, one for each chapter in the book. The folders are titled with the chapter number and each contains the programs for that chapter. One thing that is missing is an errata page or list for the book. Why can't authors do that? - it shouldn't be expensive or difficult and would show the author has some respect for his/her work.
One other thing. The publish date is shown to be July 2007 but my book says copyright 2008 on page ii. Also the book info on the website says 368 pages but my book is only 348 pages and seems to be missing nothing!
Yes, the website is not easy to locate. Start at www.courseptr.com and click on 'Programming' in the left menu. Next, under 'Programming Subcategories' again select 'Programming'. The AppleScript book is listed down the page a bit. Click on the title of the book and you are taken to the page for the book. There, near the bottom is a link to download the Scripts.zip file. This file opens on the Mac desktop, when clicked on, into a folder with a name that is a bunch of numbers. Inside you will find ten folders, one for each chapter in the book. The folders are titled with the chapter number and each contains the programs for that chapter. One thing that is missing is an errata page or list for the book. Why can't authors do that? - it shouldn't be expensive or difficult and would show the author has some respect for his/her work.
One other thing. The publish date is shown to be July 2007 but my book says copyright 2008 on page ii. Also the book info on the website says 368 pages but my book is only 348 pages and seems to be missing nothing!
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't bother with this one
July 3 2008
By scammed
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Book advertises a "companion" web site, but there is no such site available. No source code available for projects given. Instructions for various projects contain errors. Code examples that are given will not build. You'll spend a lot of money for a lot of frustration if you buy this book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not really a great approach to applescript
Oct 16 2009
By D. Clark
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I will preface by saying I have only read two books from the "for the Absolute Beginner" books; the Applescript and Python editions. Please evaluate comments accordingly.
The Absolute Beginner books attempt to make learning scripts less than tedious by involving the reader in writing games using the code. I found this very engaging with Python. However Applescript does not come across as a language that lends itself well to games. Sure you can do nice tricks and quizzes with the scripting, but that does not take truly give you an in depth look at the strength of Applescript. I believe this is because as a scripting language, Applescript relies on the scriptable functions built into other applications which can't be covered in one book. The best way to manage that is to actually start deconstructing and sampling existing scripts, and applying them to your own ends.
Overall, the book has simply not kept me interested in the material. I give this book a 2 of 5, instead of a 1, because if one were to slog through the exercises, one would gain at least a basic understanding, through sheer exposure, of the high level syntax that applescript employs. I haven't really found that worth the $29.99USD list price. Instead I would spend the extra money for the O'Reilly book as a deeper resource, and learn by sampling.
The Absolute Beginner books attempt to make learning scripts less than tedious by involving the reader in writing games using the code. I found this very engaging with Python. However Applescript does not come across as a language that lends itself well to games. Sure you can do nice tricks and quizzes with the scripting, but that does not take truly give you an in depth look at the strength of Applescript. I believe this is because as a scripting language, Applescript relies on the scriptable functions built into other applications which can't be covered in one book. The best way to manage that is to actually start deconstructing and sampling existing scripts, and applying them to your own ends.
Overall, the book has simply not kept me interested in the material. I give this book a 2 of 5, instead of a 1, because if one were to slog through the exercises, one would gain at least a basic understanding, through sheer exposure, of the high level syntax that applescript employs. I haven't really found that worth the $29.99USD list price. Instead I would spend the extra money for the O'Reilly book as a deeper resource, and learn by sampling.
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3.4 out of 5 stars
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