Scripting Addition Files

Inside Macintosh: AppleScript Scripting Additions Guide /: Chapter 2 - Scripting Addition Commands

Scripting Addition Files
The standard scripting addition files are copied into the Scripting Additions folder (located in the Extensions folder in the System Folder) when you install AppleScript according to the instructions in Getting Started With AppleScript. Each file provides one or more commands. Table 2-1 summarizes the commands provided by the standard scripting additions.
Each scripting addition that provides commands includes its own dictionary of the commands and object classes it defines. You can open a scripting addition's dictionary in much the same way you open an application's dictionary--
by selecting the scripting addition's icon in the Scripting Additions folder, dragging the icon over the Script Editor's icon, and releasing the mouse button.
For information about commands provided by scripting additions other than those described in this manual, see the documentation for those scripting additions. For information about using command definitions and for definitions of AppleScript commands and standard application commands, see the AppleScript Language Guide.
Table 2-1 Scripting addition commands described in this guide
Name of
scripting addition file Name of command Description of command
Not a separate file; part of AppleScript extension Activate Activates an application.
Log Places a string between comment characters in the Script Editor's
Event Log Window.
Start Log Turns logging on in the Script Editor's Event Log window.
Stop Log Turns logging off in the Script Editor's Event Log window.
Beep Beep Plays the alert sound.
Choose Application Choose Application Allows the user to choose a running application from a dialog box.
Choose File Choose File Allows the user to choose a file from
a dialog box.
Choose Folder Allows the user to choose a folder
or volume from a dialog box.
Current Date Current Date Returns a date value that represents
the current time and date.
Display Dialog Display Dialog Displays a dialog box.
File Commands Info For Gets information for a file or folder.
List Disks Returns a list of currently
mounted disks.
List Folder Lists the contents of a specified folder.
Path To Returns full pathname to specified folder or application.

Load Script Load Script Loads a compiled script into the current script as a script object.
New File New File Allows a user to create a new file.
Numerics Random Number Generates a random number.
Round Rounds a number to the nearest integer.
Read/Write Commands Close Access Closes a file opened with Open
for Access.
Get EOF Returns the offset, in bytes, of the end
of a specified file from the beginning
of the file.
Open for Access Opens a file for reading or writing using Read or Write commands.
Read Reads data from file previously opened with Open for Access command, or opens file for access, reads data, and closes file.
Set EOF Sets the end of a specified file.
Write Writes data to file previously opened with Open for Access command, or opens file for access, writes data, and closes file.
Run Script Run Script Runs a specified script.
Scripting Components Scripting Components Returns a list of the scripting components currently available.
Store Script Store Script Stores a specified script object in a specified file.

String Commands ASCII Character Converts a number to its
ASCII equivalent.
ASCII Number Returns the ASCII number
of a character.
Offset Determines the offset of a string
within another string.
Time to GMT Time to GMT Returns the difference, in seconds, between the current time and Greenwich mean time.

Name of scripting addition file	Name of command	Description of command
Not a separate file; part of AppleScript extension	Activate	Activates an application.
	Log	Places a string between comment characters in the Script Editor's Event Log Window.
	Start Log	Turns logging on in the Script Editor's Event Log window.
	Stop Log	Turns logging off in the Script Editor's Event Log window.
Beep	Beep	Plays the alert sound.
Choose Application	Choose Application	Allows the user to choose a running application from a dialog box.
Choose File	Choose File	Allows the user to choose a file from a dialog box.
	Choose Folder	Allows the user to choose a folder or volume from a dialog box.
Current Date	Current Date	Returns a date value that represents the current time and date.
Display Dialog	Display Dialog	Displays a dialog box.
File Commands	Info For	Gets information for a file or folder.
	List Disks	Returns a list of currently mounted disks.
	List Folder	Lists the contents of a specified folder.
	Path To	Returns full pathname to specified folder or application.

Load Script	Load Script	Loads a compiled script into the current script as a script object.
New File	New File	Allows a user to create a new file.
Numerics	Random Number	Generates a random number.
	Round	Rounds a number to the nearest integer.
Read/Write Commands	Close Access	Closes a file opened with Open for Access.
	Get EOF	Returns the offset, in bytes, of the end of a specified file from the beginning of the file.
	Open for Access	Opens a file for reading or writing using Read or Write commands.
	Read	Reads data from file previously opened with Open for Access command, or opens file for access, reads data, and closes file.
	Set EOF	Sets the end of a specified file.
	Write	Writes data to file previously opened with Open for Access command, or opens file for access, writes data, and closes file.
Run Script	Run Script	Runs a specified script.
Scripting Components	Scripting Components	Returns a list of the scripting components currently available.
Store Script	Store Script	Stores a specified script object in a specified file.

String Commands	ASCII Character	Converts a number to its ASCII equivalent.
	ASCII Number	Returns the ASCII number of a character.
	Offset	Determines the offset of a string within another string.
Time to GMT	Time to GMT	Returns the difference, in seconds, between the current time and Greenwich mean time.