Why is copying a file so hard?
Why is copying a file so hard?
- Subject: Why is copying a file so hard?
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Sat, 18 Jun 2005 09:18:10 +1000
I'm with Sparky (well at least philosophically).
I want to copy a few files from mounted volumes on my desktop to a
specified folder on my local HD.
I thought just open Script Editor and set it to record, drag the
files where I want them and it will create the necessary Applescript
(I'm fairlycertain this worked in OS 9).
Wrong! - nothing happens!
So I go through this list archives (I've subscribed for years and
find it helpful to search historic emails when I can't find the right
Applescript code - unfortunately more often than not) and find a note
from January where some one suggests using Do script and the cp
command in the shell.
I copy the line of code and try it in Script Editor which promptly
complains because the filename contains a space which I believe I've
correctly escaped with a \
So I go to Terminal put in the cp, drag the source and destination
files to the command line so Terminal now builds a syntactically
correct string. I test it by hitting return and the file copies
correctly.
So I copy this string back to Script Editor (put the " in at each
end) and once again it complains. 'Expected """ but found unknown
token' with a highlight on the first \.
Grrr.
If it's any help the line is
do shell script "cp /Volumes/1GIG/\ SPELEAN/\ Spelean\ data
/Volumes/Lt\ Data/v3.9\ DF/\ Spelean\ data.AP"
The folder SPELEAN has a leading space, as does the file, as does the
destination volume, folder and file.
OK I mutter to myself about why Apple can't make basic functions in
the Finder recordable and I open the Dictionary for Finder.app and
find there isn't a copy command - it isn't available yet says the
note (for goodness sake this is OS X 10.4.1 the fifth version of OS X
and we can't copy to the clipboard using Applescript!), but there is
a duplicate command.
so I try
duplicate "/Volumes/1GIG/ SPELEAN/ Spelean data" to "/Volumes/Lt
Data/v3.9 DF/ Spelean data.AP" replacing Yes
This time I get 'An identifier can't go after this """ '.
Yet the syntax in the dictionary says I can have "Replacing boolean"
as part of the command. AAAArrrgghh.
This is a simple task and it should be simple in Applescript but it
isn't and the syntax checking is perhaps accurate, but ultimately
unhelpful.
And why is the Finder still not fully recordable?
and finally can anyone suggest a line which will work?
Cheers, Andrew Pavey
--
Spelean is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand Distributor
for many fine camping, climbing, caving and rescue products
Web pages: http://www.spelean.com.au email: email@hidden
Phone: (+61) 2 9966 9800, Fax: (+61) 2 9966 9811
PO Box 645, ARTARMON, NSW, 1570, Australia.
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