Language Guide

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Glossary
Apple event A high-level message that
adheres to the interprocess messaging
protocol on which AppleScript is based.
AppleScript A scripting language defined
by Apple Computer, Inc., that allows you to
control Macintosh computers without using
the keyboard or mouse.
AppleScript command A command
handled by AppleScript. AppleScript
commands do not have to be included
in Tell statements.
application command A command
handled by an application or its objects.
An application command must either
be included in a Tell statement or include
the name of the application in its direct
parameter.
application object An object stored in an
application or its documents and managed
by the application.
Arbitrary Element reference form A
reference form that specifies an arbitrary
object in a container. If the container is a
value, AppleScript uses a random-number
generator to choose the object. If the
container is an application object, the
application chooses the object.
assignment statement A statement that
assigns a value to a variable. Assignment
statements begin with Set or Copy.
attachable application An application
that can be customized by attaching scripts
to specific objects in the application, such as
buttons and menu items.
attaching a script to an application
object The process of associating a script
with a specific application object. Each
application determines which, if any, of its
objects can have scripts attached.
attribute A characteristic that can be
considered or ignored in a Considering or
Ignoring statement.
binary operator An operator that derives
a new value from a pair of values.
Boolean A logical truth value. The two
possible Boolean values are true and
false. Boolean is an AppleScript
value class.
Boolean expression An expression whose
value can be either true or false.
child script object A script object that
inherits properties and handlers from
another script object, called the parent.
Class The name of the AppleScript value
class for a class identifier, a reserved word
that specifies the class to which an object
or value belongs. See also object class,
value class.
coercion The process of converting a
value from one class to another.