Re: Default AppleScript Formatting
Re: Default AppleScript Formatting
- Subject: Re: Default AppleScript Formatting
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 13:20:21 -0400
Here's what I use. (Everything is plain and black unless otherwise noted.
Colors are the "Crayon Picker" names.)
New text (uncompiled) Courier 10 pt
Operators - Geneva 10 pt
Language Keywords - Geneva 10 pt BOLD
Application keywords - Geneva 10 pt Blue-violet
Comments - Geneva 9 pt italic
Values (numbers, strings, lists) - Geneva 10 pt
Variables (and subroutine names) - Palatino 10 pt
References - Palatino 10 pt Seaweed
My basic rationale was to make make apparent from the font those things that
don't show from context.
I used the most significant attribute (font face), with the strongest contrast,
to indicate the difference between "my" terms (variable names) and the
language's terms (keywords). If I accidentially name a variable or handler with
a word that is a language or application term, I need to know that.
Bold differentiates between a language keyword and a value (which includes
constant names), and the color flags application keywords. Keeping track of who
I'm talking to is helpful.
I don't see any need to differentiate between an operator and a value. Context
is sufficient there, so I didn't make their styles different.
The colors I chose are muted, so I don't get an "angry fruit salad" appearance
to the screen. I chose Palatino and Geneva because they render well on the
screen, contrast well with each other, and are efficient. (Times would be more
efficient, but doesn't look good and renders a little too small for my taste.)
I wanted the English-like nature of the language to work for me, so I picked
font attributes that didn't get in the way of reading the script like text. Too
many different colors, styles and sizes slow down the reading process.
I didn't use underlines at all, because they interfere with reading.
I chose Courier for the uncompiled text because it symbolized not-ready,
typed-but-not-typeset text. Like the "flash forms" magazines use for
late-breaking news.
--
Scott Norton Phone: +1-703-299-1656
DTI Associates, Inc. Fax: +1-703-706-0476
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