Language Guide

G L O S S A R Y
366
explicit Run handler A handler at the top
level of a script or a script object that begins
with on run and ends with end. A single
script or script object can include an explicit
Run handler or an implicit Run handler, but
not both.
expression In AppleScript, any series of
words that has a value.
filter A phrase, added to a reference to a
system or application object, that specifies
elements in a container that match one or
more conditions.
Filter reference form A reference form
that specifies all objects in a container that
match one or more conditions specified
in a Boolean expression.
formal parameter See parameter variable.
global variable A variable that is available
anywhere in the script in which it is defined.
handler A collection of statements that are
executed in response to a command or an
error message.
identifier A series of characters that
identifies a value or handler in AppleScript.
Identifiers are used to name variables,
subroutines, parameters, properties, and
commands.
ID reference form A reference form
that specifies an object by the value of its
ID property.
If statement A control statement that
contains one or more Boolean expressions
whose results determine whether to execute
other statements within the If statement.
Ignoring statement A control statement
that lists a specific set of attributes to be
ignored when AppleScript performs
operations on strings or sends commands to
applications.
implicit Run handler All the statements
at the top level of a script except for
property declarations, script object
definitions, and other command handlers.
A single script or script object can include
an explicit Run handler or an implicit Run
handler, but not both.
Index reference form A reference form
that specifies an object or location by
describing its position with respect to the
beginning or end of the container.
infinite loop A Repeat statement that
does not specify when repetition stops.
inheritance The process by which a child
script object receives the properties and
handlers of a parent script object.
initializing a script object The process of
creating a script object from the properties
and handlers listed in a script object
definition. AppleScript creates a script
object when it runs a script or handler that
contains a script object definition.
insertion point An object class, supported
by many applications, that specifies a
place where another object or objects can
be added.
integer A positive or negative number
without a fractional part. In AppleScript,
Integer is a value class.