Compiling Scripts With the Script Editor
When you create or modify a script and then attempt to run or save it as a compiled script or script application, the Script Editor asks AppleScript to compile the script first. To compile a script, AppleScript converts the script from the form typed into a Script Editor window (or any script-editing window) to a form that AppleScript can execute. AppleScript also attempts to compile the script when you click the Script Editor's Check Syntax button.If AppleScript compiles the script successfully, the Check Syntax button is dimmed and the Script Editor reformats the text of the script according to the preferences set with the AppleScript Formatting command (in the Edit menu). This may cause indentation and spacing to change, but it doesn't affect the meaning of the script. If AppleScript can't compile the script because of syntax errors or other problems, the Script Editor displays a dialog box describing the error or, if you are trying to save the script, allowing you to save the script as a text file only.