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Apple to ship Automator scripting in Mac OS X Tiger

updated 07:05 pm EDT, Fri July 9, 2004

Automator in Tiger


Automator, expected to Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger next year, offers a simple, graphical environment for building complex scripts. It combines AppleScript and other Mac OS X technology to interface with AppleScript Studio, Apple's Xcode, and Apple's object-oriented Cocoa framework, according to eWEEK: "However, Automator is not simply a new front end to AppleScript. Although it's capable of running AppleScripts as well as Unix shell scripts, Automator Actions are compiled C++ code. Third-party developers wanting to let customers use their applications in the Automator environment will need to write their own set of Actions, in addition to opening them up to AppleScript." The article notes that lack of conditionals and the inability to link together two items that don't match may be potential pitfalls for the new technology.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. Glasspusher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2000

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    07/09, 09:38pm | report spam | Reply |

    C++?

    Automator uses compiled C++ code? That doesn't sound right to me...I might have missed something at WWDC, but more likely, the eWeek guy got something wrong. Could I get a judge's decision here?

  1. Glasspusher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2000

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    07/09, 09:41pm | report spam | Reply |

    compiled code

    Since when is something "compiled C++"? After it's compiled, it's no longer C++, IMHO. Something seems fishy. Compiled code is machine code.

  1. RydDragyn

    Junior Member

    Joined: Sep 2003

    0
    07/09, 10:49pm | report spam | Reply |

    Possible security risks?

    Will automating tasks pose a security threat at all? I hope Automator won't have any kind of admin privileges at all.

  1. Jablabla

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2000

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    07/09, 11:43pm | report spam | Reply |

    c++ fine with me

    I like c++ its faster. No sneaky peak into the product either.

    Check this out. Cool article on wired about video conferencing. A new idea that I have not seen before. Cool and on OS X!

    http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,64129,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_4

  1. macslut

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2004

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    07/10, 01:30am | report spam | Reply |

    Developers, Developers...

    The key is to evangelize developers and lead by example. AppleScript could've been so much better had all been on board. Now in this second coming, it's vital that users don't feel frustrated by trying to do, or wanting to do something that it can't because developers didn't include proper support.

    Hopefully this will get more people on board.

  1. cc_foo

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0
    07/10, 08:07am | report spam | Reply |

    Lots of choice

    I have little experience in programming. I dunno whether to be happy, or wary that there are so many free programming options within OS X install: Applescript Studio, XCode, and now Automator. Then there are still other commercial options: Realbasic, Metrowerks, and so on. And don't forget macro programs like iKey, Keyboard Maestro (RIP) and Quickeys. I suppose choice is a good thing. And I am actually excited by being able to create Automator scripts/macros/actions, and emailing them to my relatives. Sounds kick a** and exciting. Hope it turns out that way. Too early to say.

  1. Glasspusher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2000

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    07/10, 10:55am | report spam | Reply |

    be happy

    As long as all the programming options work, be happy. Find which ones work for you and enjoy! I'm a Cocoa nut myself, but that doesn't mean you can't be a Carbon or Applescript fan. I implement Applescript with both my Carbon and Cocoa stuff...

  1. Jablabla

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2000

    0
    07/10, 11:00am | report spam | Reply |

    cocoa

    Ya, I've been warming to Cocoa. A little reluctance because of objective C but once you get past that its a really awesome thing. Much better than Carbon.

    As far as scripting, I'll take perl.

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