Language Guide

CHAPTER 2
Overview of AppleScript
Other Features and Language Elements 27
Because comments are not executed, you can prevent parts of scripts from
being executed by putting them within comments. You can use this trick,
known as “commenting out,” to isolate problems when debugging scripts or
temporarily block execution of any parts of script that aren’t yet finished.
Here’s an example of “commenting out” an unfinished handler:
(*
on finish()
--under construction
end
*)
If you later remove (* and *), the handler is once again available.
Identifiers 2
An identifier is a series of characters that identifies a value or other language
element. For example, variable names are identifiers. In the following
statement, the variable name myName identifies the value "Fred".
set myName to "Fred"
Identifiers are also used as labels for properties and handlers. You’ll learn
about these uses later in this guide.
An identifier must begin with a letter and can contain uppercase letters,
lowercase letters, numerals (0–9), and the underscore character (_). Here
are some examples of valid identifiers:
Yes
Agent99
Just_Do_It
The following are not valid identifiers:
C--
Back&Forth
999
Why^Not