Re: set variable to a command?
Re: set variable to a command?
- Subject: Re: set variable to a command?
- From: Paul Berkowitz <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 10:32:08 -0800
On 11/19/03 9:06 AM, "David A. Cox" <email@hidden> wrote:
>
I am stuck on something simple, and I don't know why I can't get my head
>
around what is wrong.
>
>
I want to set a variable to a command name in a script for itunes, and I
>
can't seem to get the command to execute.
>
>
This works:
>
>
tell application "iTunes"
>
play
>
end tell
>
>
This does not:
>
>
set command to "play"
>
tell application "iTunes"
>
command
>
end tell
>
>
I have fiddled around with different syntax ways of saying the same thing,
>
but I seem to fail each time. I am using the latest OS and iTunes. I am
>
sure I am just missing something super basic, but I can't seem to see
>
it....
1) In the first script, 'play' is not a string - it's not in quotes, it's an
application keyword defined by the application iTunes, and only definable in
its own tell block. In the second script, you're trying to use a variable
which is a string - "play" - not the same thing at all. Why do you want to
do this anyway?
2) You can't set a variable to an event (command) which doesn't have a
result ('play' does not have result - check the dictionary). You can only
set variables to values, not to commands (events). When you set a variable
to an event which does have a result, the event will be executed and the
variable set to the resulting value. In the iTunes Suite only 'add' and
'convert' have a result (a track).
3) It is possible to compile raw codes* outside the tell block, and set a
variable to that, but it still won't work for events.
Suppose you tell us what you're really trying to do, and why. Substituting a
variable for an event name is pointless in itself - what is it you're trying
to get around by doing this? There's probably a way to do what you really
want.
* You can find all application raw codes using either Script Debugger or
Smile. play is
<<event hookPlay>>
I'm using << and >> as placeholders because this mailing list has been
stupidly configured to defeat the proper communication of AppleScript
issues. The actual characters are the "double-angle quotations" made on US
keyboard by typing option-\ and shift-option-\ .
That will compile outside an iTunes tell block, but still won't execute if
you set a variable to it, because it's an event, not a value.
However
--
Paul Berkowitz
_______________________________________________
applescript-users mailing list | email@hidden
Help/Unsubscribe/Archives:
http://www.lists.apple.com/mailman/listinfo/applescript-users
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.