Scripting & Automation Guides

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Scripting & Automation

AppleScript, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Ruby, Python, various shell script dialects, and other popular scripting languages are available in Mac OS X. Developers can make their applications scriptable, enabling automation of repetitive tasks through AppleScript scripts. To make automation even easier, the Automator application offers a simple drag-and-drop interface for users to create sophisticated workflows involving Mac OS X system services and Apple applications. Developers and script writers can also create their own Automator actions, allowing applications, shell scripts, and AppleScript scripts to be called from within Automator workflows.


Getting Started Learning paths for scripters, system administrators, and application developers.	Fundamentals Essential information about using and supporting scripts and automation.	Frameworks C and Objective-C API references, organized by framework.



Scripting & Automation Topics View the complete Scripting & Automation Guides List.
AppleScript The English-like scripting language native to Mac OS X.	Automator An application for automating repetitive tasks, including shell script execution.	Carbon C APIs for creating and calling scriptable applications.



Cocoa Object-oriented APIs for creating scriptable applications and Automator actions.	Internet & Web Scripting resources for web content and applications, and website administration.	JavaScript A language for scripting static pages and dynamic environments for the web.



Other Scripting Languages Languages such as PHP, Perl, Python, and shell scripts.	QuickTime Use of scripting languages to interact with QuickTime.	Scripting Bridges Mechanisms for accessing script-driven applications.



System Administration Scripting tools and automation support for Mac OS X Server administration.	Tools Tools for developing scripts, Automator actions, and script-driven applications.