The improved Mac OS 8.5 Finder handles Apple Events and executes script commands noticeably faster. Improvements in inter-application messaging and within applications depend greatly on how the individual applications are written and handle Apple Events.
This new code provides noticeable speed improvements, especially within AppleScript when "repeat" or "list" iterations are performed. AppleScript 1.3 or later is native Power PC code. Native code base: Previous versions of AppleScript were written in 68K code and ran in emulation. The Choose File, Choose Folder, and New File OSAX now present the Navigation Services dialogues in a modal context. Navigation services: AppleScript now supports the new Navigation Services environment for accessing files, folders, and applications. For example, the constant for the month of the current date OSAX can now be converted to a string with a standard coercion: Convert constant to string: This feature allows you to receive Apple event data and convert it to a string for more flexible use of the information. NOTE: AppleScript 1.3.6 no longer includes dialects other than the English dialect.
It is not designed or approved for use with earlier system software releases. IMPORTANT: AppleScript 1.3.6 is designed for use with Mac OS 8.6. For more information on any of these features, see AppleScript Help. This new version corrects some problems with the previous versions in Mac OS 8.5 and 8.5.1, and also has some added enhancements. You can also find detailed AppleScript information, tutorials, scripts, and links to other resources on the AppleScript Web site. Additionally, the Mac OS 8.6 CD includes sample scripts and information about AppleScript in a folder named CD Extras.
AppleScript Help contains an overview of new AppleScript features, as well as background information and instructions on how to use AppleScript. To learn more about AppleScript and how to use it, choose Help Centre from the Finder's Help menu, then click AppleScript Help. When you send an AppleScript message, the operating system converts the script's instructions into Apple Events messages, then sends the events to the indicated applications where the instructions are executed. Apple Events transfer information, commands, and requests between applications, networks, and the Mac OS much like people use phone calls, pagers, or e-mail to communicate with each other.
When you tell your computer to do a task by choosing a menu command, for example, the operating system and applications on your computer talk to each other using a messaging tool called Apple Events. For more information, see AppleScript Help in the Finder's Help menu. Using AppleScript's English-like commands, you describe the task, then save it as a "script" file.
For example, you can write an AppleScript to automatically empty the Wastebasket, or to add an alias to the Apple menu.
This document describes the AppleScript software, tells you where to find information on using AppleScript, and lists the new features in AppleScript 1.3.6 (included in Mac OS 8.6).ĪppleScript is software that allows you to automate tasks on your computer. AppleScript 1.3.6 About AppleScript 1.3.6