Re: New AppleScript book
Re: New AppleScript book
- Subject: Re: New AppleScript book
- From: DigitEL <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 22:53:41 -0800
On Dec 12, 2003, at 8:27 PM, Paul Berkowitz wrote:
On 12/12/03 7:55 PM, "DigitEL" <email@hidden> wrote:
On Dec 12, 2003, at 3:39 PM, Paul Berkowitz wrote:
I have a 'decent' background with PHP/MySQL and most web related
languages
(XHTML/HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) - any hope for me?
I would think so. I'm not familiar with any of them, but especially
JavaScript I'd think must deal with similar "parts of speech" as most
programming languages.
Applescript is an OSA language, as is Javascript I believe and
checking
out the International Progammers Accord of 1969 that defines OSA
languages might help also. However, unlike 'real' verbal languages
such
as Spanish and Italian, you can't get by just getting the gist of it,
though understanding the conceptual similarities might speed the
learning curve. The 'near' English of AS works quite well when you get
the hang of it but its the 'strong' differences between 'of' and 'in'
or 'with' and 'using' that make AS difficult for me because in
'English' we would tend to 'fuzzy' these meanings whereas in AS they
are more definite and specific in usage.
So? All this is gone into in depth in the book. I was merely making the
rather simple point that someone starting AppleScript, or any other
programming language, as their very first one (and a high proportion of
AppleScripters do just that) will probably want a simpler book
arranged as a
tutorial. I would imagine that Sal Soghoian's book, expected soon,
will be
just that sort of book.
Matt's "AppleScript - The Definitive Guide" is pitched at a level that
presupposes either some familiarity with the way programming languages
are
conceived - in order to understand AppleScript's similarities and
differences - or else a good familiarity with AppleScript itself, so
that
you can follow his references as he ventures into these realms. Or
both. As
it happens, Matt came to AppleScript from other languages (unlike me),
and
so he is very good at pointing out the differences of AppleScript
compared
to more traditional languages, and also at pointing out its
deficiencies on
occasion. On the other hand, he is very expert and at home in
AppleScript
and can introduce you to some basic structures of AppleScript which
are not
always made explicit when you learned AS without knowing how
programming
languages usually work. And always, Matt is an excellent explicator
who does
not hesitate to be critical when he sees fit to do so. The book is
really
well worth reading if you are past the early stages of AppleScript
itself,
and/or are a bit baffled by its nature if you know some other
programming
language.
--
Paul Berkowitz
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Sorry, Paul, I snipped and replied awkwardly... and intended to respond
to j.e.b's 'hope' for himself and offer encouragement that AS is
accessible but care should be taken as to how far to take the 'near'
English analogy. Your reply does affirm my own interest to get hold of
the book... On a different tack, isn't it great there are finally some
new books out and still coming on AS?!
--
ForNow
EL
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