Jump To:
Leopard Reference Library: Scripting & Automation
Building on the power of AppleScript, AppleScript Studio in Xcode allows script writers to create Mac OS X applications that use AppleScript scripts to control complex user interfaces. Additional scripting tools for Mac OS X are available from various open source groups. For anyone wishing to automate repetitive procedures in Mac OS X, the Automator application's visual development environment offers a simple drag-and-drop process of selecting and connecting individual workflow actions, which can include shell scripts and AppleScript scripts.

View all Tools Reference Library.
Document Descriptions
On Off
Display

Sort by
Title
Sort by
Resource Type
Sorted by
Date
Shell Scripting Primer (HTML) (PDF)
A guided tour of (Bourne) shell scripting, including control structures, numerical computation, regular expressions, subroutines, and error handling.
Guides 2009-04-08
Dashcode User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Dashcode to create Dashboard widgets.
Guides 2009-03-04
Dashboard Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Dashboard and WebKit technologies used in widgets.
Guides 2009-02-04
AppleScript Studio 1.4 Release Notes (HTML)
Moving Tiger AppleScript Studio Release Notes to separate document.
Release Notes 2007-12-22
Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
Guides 2007-12-11
AppleScript Studio Release Notes (HTML)
Describes late-breaking news and highlights of new or changed features in the latest release of AppleScript Studio.
Release Notes 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Reference 2007-10-31
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Release Notes 2007-10-31
Perl, Python, and Ruby Extensions Release Notes (HTML)
Describes how to create universal binary extensions for Perl, Python, and Ruby.
Release Notes 2007-10-31
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Introducing Dashcode (HTML)
Learn how Dashcode makes widget development easier than ever.
Articles 2007-01-09
SampleCMPlugIn (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A contextual menu plugIn for Mac OS X.
Sample Code 2006-10-09
Automating Development Tasks with Automator and Xcode (HTML)
Learn to streamline daily tasks in your development projects using Automator.
Articles 2006-08-07
HelloStudio (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This is a Hello, world application built using AppleScript Studio.
Sample Code 2006-07-28
Processes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This process management application uses most of AppleScript Studio's significant features.
Sample Code 2006-07-28
TextEditPlus (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This application is a version of TextEdit enhanced with additional document properties using AppleScript Studio.
Sample Code 2006-07-28
AppleScript Studio Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create script-driven applications with complex user interfaces based on Cocoa UI classes. Includes tutorials.
Guides 2006-04-04
Using PyObjC for Developing Cocoa Applications with Python (HTML)
Learn how to build a sample Cocoa app using the Cocoa-Python bridge PyOjbC.
Articles 2005-08-15
Introduction to Open Source Scripting on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn your scripting options for automating a wide range of tasks quickly.
Articles 2005-08-01
UpdateXcodeSubprojects (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Updates all subprojects of an Xcode project to Xcode 2.1 format. Illustrates scripting techniques.
Sample Code 2005-06-06
ScriptView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build a script editor application with a built-in script database using AppleScript Studio.
Sample Code 2005-06-01
MoreAppleEvents (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides routines that assist with the creation and sending of Apple events and object descriptors.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
ODOC (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates how to send an open document ('odoc') Apple event to another application process.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
Calling AppleScript from an Application (HTML)
QA1026: Describes how to call an AppleScript from an application written in C.
Technical Q&As 2001-04-10