# AppleScript

> scripting language by Apple

**Wikidata**: [Q129137](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129137)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AppleScript)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/applescript

## Summary
AppleScript is a scripting language developed by Apple Inc. for automating tasks and configuring applications on macOS and earlier Mac operating systems. It allows users to control applications and system functions through written scripts using a natural-language-like syntax.

## Key Facts
- Developed by Apple Inc., founded on April 1, 1976
- First released in 1993
- Latest stable version is 2.8 (released October 7, 2019)
- Runs on System 7, Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9, and macOS
- Influenced by HyperTalk and natural-language programming concepts
- Uses Apple events for inter-application communication
- Licensed under proprietary license and Apple Public Source License
- File extensions include .scpt, .scptd, and .applescript
- Has 29 Wikipedia sitelinks across multiple languages
- Used by AppleScript Editor for script development

## FAQs
### Q: What is AppleScript used for?
A: AppleScript is used for automating repetitive tasks, configuring applications, and controlling system functions on Apple computers. It allows users to write scripts that can manipulate files, launch applications, and perform complex workflows without manual intervention.

### Q: What programming paradigm does AppleScript follow?
A: AppleScript follows the natural-language programming paradigm, using an English-like syntax that aims to be more readable and accessible than traditional programming languages. It also incorporates weak and dynamic typing disciplines.

### Q: What applications can AppleScript control?
A: AppleScript can control any application that supports Apple events, which includes most native macOS applications and many third-party applications. This allows scripts to interact with and manipulate data across different applications.

## Why It Matters
AppleScript revolutionized automation on the Mac platform by making scripting accessible to non-programmers through its natural-language syntax. Before AppleScript, automation typically required knowledge of complex programming languages or relied on limited macro capabilities. AppleScript democratized automation by allowing users to write scripts that could control applications and system functions using syntax that resembled plain English. This made it possible for power users, content creators, and office workers to automate repetitive tasks without formal programming training. The language's integration with Apple events created a powerful ecosystem where applications could communicate and work together seamlessly, enabling complex workflows that would be impossible through manual operation. AppleScript has been instrumental in content creation workflows, system administration, and software testing on the Mac platform for decades, establishing Apple as a leader in user-friendly automation tools.

## Notable For
- First mainstream scripting language to use natural-language syntax
- Pioneered Apple events-based inter-application communication
- Long-standing integration with macOS since System 7
- Influenced by HyperTalk, sharing similar accessibility goals
- Maintained continuous development from 1993 to present

## Body
### Development and History
AppleScript was developed by Apple Inc. and first released in 1993 as part of System 7. The language was created to provide a user-friendly way to automate tasks on Macintosh computers, drawing inspiration from HyperTalk, the scripting language used in Apple's HyperCard application. AppleScript's development was driven by the need for a more accessible automation tool that could bridge the gap between technical users and those without formal programming backgrounds.

### Technical Architecture
AppleScript operates through Apple events, a messaging protocol that allows applications to communicate with each other and with the operating system. This architecture enables scripts to send commands to applications, retrieve data, and manipulate system resources. The language supports both weak and dynamic typing, making it flexible but also requiring careful script design to avoid runtime errors.

### Versions and Evolution
The language has evolved through multiple versions, with stable releases including 2.5 (2014), 2.6 (2017), 2.7, and 2.8 (2019). Each version has added new features, improved compatibility, and enhanced performance. The development timeline shows Apple's continued commitment to maintaining and improving the language over nearly three decades.

### Applications and Use Cases
AppleScript is used for a wide variety of automation tasks, including file management, application launching, data processing, and system configuration. Common use cases include batch processing of documents, automated backup routines, content creation workflows, and integration between different applications. The language is particularly valuable in creative industries where users need to automate complex, multi-step processes.

### Development Environment
AppleScript Editor serves as the primary development environment for writing and testing scripts. The language supports various file extensions (.scpt, .scptd, .applescript) and includes features like syntax highlighting, debugging tools, and script recording capabilities. The development environment is integrated into macOS, making it readily available to all users.

### Licensing and Distribution
AppleScript is distributed under a proprietary license, with some components available under the Apple Public Source License. This licensing model allows Apple to maintain control over the language's development while providing access to the source code for certain components. The language is included as a standard feature of macOS, ensuring wide availability.

### Integration and Ecosystem
AppleScript integrates deeply with the macOS ecosystem, working seamlessly with system services, applications, and command-line tools. The language supports uniform type identifiers and can handle various media types, including application/octet-stream and text/plain. This integration makes it a powerful tool for system administration and automation tasks.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "AppleScript",
  "description": "Scripting language by Apple for automating tasks and configuring applications on macOS",
  "url": "https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AppleScript",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328"
  ],
  "additionalType": "ScriptingLanguage"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. [10.12 Changes - AppleScript Release Notes. 2014](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/releasenotes/AppleScript/RN-AppleScript/RN-10_12/RN-10_12.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40000982-CH112-DontLinkElementID_15)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Mac Automation Scripting Guide. Apple Developer](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/MacAutomationScriptingGuide/)
5. Quora
6. [UriSchemes/applescript - W3C Wiki. 2003](https://www.w3.org/wiki/UriSchemes/applescript)
7. National Library of Israel
8. KBpedia