Re: newbie asks: Where do I begin?
Re: newbie asks: Where do I begin?
- Subject: Re: newbie asks: Where do I begin?
- From: "Stockly, Ed" <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:49:28 -0800
>>>> I've been on the list for a week or 2, and now would like to dive in and start learning to become a developer. Any suggestions - How did you start?
Welcome to AppleScript, Katherine.
I would also recommend Matt's AppleScript book. When I started with AppleScript there were two books that I found useful, Danny Goodman's "The Complete AppleScript Handbook" and "The Tao of AppleScript." AFAIK both are long out of print.
I found that learning to script from a book by itself wasn't enough for me. The MacScript digest and this list were both very valuable resources.
These days it seems that sometimes a few of the more experienced scripters get a little snarky when someone asks basic questions, but if you ignore those and keep with it, you can get whatever guidance you need.
> I have a little javascript, and am also interested in PHP. What other languages and scripts are worth checking out?
>>HAS>>>Depends what you're wanting to do.
>>HAS>>>If you want to become a good general programmer then I don't recommend AppleScript as a good starting point
IMHO, AppleScript is a good starting point for a few reasons. First, not everyone is well suited to the particular form of abstract thinking and symbolic logic that scripting and programming involves. If you find appleScript's variables, repeat loops, if thens, etc. extremely difficult to master, then scripting and programming may not be for you.
Another reason it's a good starting point is that the AppleScript language and supporting technology are very powerful tools by their own right. If you master AppleScript and go no further, you've picked up something pretty valuable and powerful.
>>HAS>>> an eccentric, underpowered and heavily obfuscated beast, and while the English-like
syntax is easy for non-programmers to read, it's frequently much harder to write.
>>HAS>>It's also one of those languages where you tend to pick up more bad habits than others.
If your not so concerned about AppleScript and its intrinsic value, but are more interested in learning more advanced programming, than the concerns Has raises have more merit.
But, if you want to learn AppleScript in order to master interapplication scripting on the Mac, then those concerns are not as valid.
>>>> What projects are good for starters? Other resources besides this list?
I've taught three beginning appleScript classes, and what I've found is students pick it up much faster and stick with it longer if we do the following:
Every appleScripting assignment meets the following criteria:
-- Works with the Finder and at least two other applications
-- Transfers data between the applications
-- Uses at least one of appleScript's user interface tools (display dialog, choose files, etc.)
-- Involves working with files and directories
-- Involves reading and writing files
-- Traps for errors
-- Student scripts are written following "AppleScript's Style's Elements"
-- Student scripts employ handlers, and at least one handler in every script is written to be applicable in other contexts (generalized)
It seems to work much better if the students pick tasks for their own projects, scripting applications they are most familiar with. We start with very simple projects and work towards projects with more complexity and utility.
HTH, and good luck to you!
ES
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