Re: copy & set statments
Re: copy & set statments
- Subject: Re: copy & set statments
- From: Paul Skinner <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 12:21:21 -0400
on 10/22/01 7:25 AM, Doug McNutt wrote:
>
At 01:27 -0700 10/22/01, Ted Wood wrote:
>
> Sorry, did my best. =) I've been away from AppleScript for awhile and
>
> now I'm studying C++. Thanks for straightening me out.
>
>
You are not alone. How anyone can believe that "natural English" is easier
>
than
>
x = a;
>
x = *a;
>
x = &a;
Natural English at least gives a clue as to meaning. x = *a; might mean
set x to x + a or set x to a as a positive value. x = &a; might mean set x
to x & a or set x to x and concatenate an a on the end.
Obviously learning the language is a prerequisite for using it. Natural
English language is no exception. It's valued because it gives one a head
start. Anyone who knows English and understands the idea of variables knows
what 'set x to a' means. It is confusing because it is NOT English but only
English-like.
That's a limitation that's necessary until compilers can parse something
like 'Take the email that I got this morning from Bob Smith and get all of
the Names and email addresses of people he mentioned in it and add them to
my contact information for employees of our company.'. That's the kind of
nonsense that a secretary can parse and act on but not a compiler; yet.
>
is absolutely beyond my ken. Do other AppleScripters always feel that
>
they are guessing? I don't think I have ever guessed correctly the
>
first time.
Have you ever guessed correctly at a Perl construction? If so you should
speak with the Psychic hotline, they have a job for you. I suspect that you
are even trying to guess at AppleScript because it's possible that you might
get it right. RTFM and you'll have a better experience.
--
Paul Skinner