Re: AppleScript and shell scripting
Re: AppleScript and shell scripting
- Subject: Re: AppleScript and shell scripting
- From: Bill Briggs <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:46:19 -0300
At 9:44 PM +0100 7/29/07, has wrote:
>However, unlike AppleScript syntax they have the significant advantage of being completely regular and unambiguous, so once you do know how interpret them it's easier to make out what they're saying.
Indeed. People bitch about C, but it executes at top speed (unless you can write better assembler) and with C you can change platforms and it'll compile.
>Traditional syntax = short-term pain, but long-term gain.
>
>AppleScript syntax = short-term gain, but long-term pain.
This has an analog in human languages. Having learned German I can say that it's harder to get started (gender and case declensions don't come easily at first), but once you have the pronunciation key, and the basic grammar, there are so few exceptions that you can go on to master the language on your own. You can pronounce words you don't know because it's a completely regular system. You can more often than not sort out the meaning of compound words. It's possible to move on after you have the basics.
In contrast, my friends in Europe tell me that it's easy to learn a few basics in English (as a second, or third, or fourth language), but to master idiomatic English, with the inconsistent pronunciation key, the plethora of irregular verbs, and the fantastic number of exceptions to every rule, is bloody near impossible. As bad as trying to learn Finnish with its 47 active cases.
- web
_______________________________________________
Do not post admin requests to the list. They will be ignored.
AppleScript-Users mailing list (email@hidden)
Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription:
Archives: http://lists.apple.com/archives/applescript-users
This email sent to email@hidden