Scripting Additions Guide

xi
P R E F A C E
describes the terms defined by the standard scripting additions that come
with the AppleScript English dialect. Scripting additions intended for use with
other dialects work the same way but define terms and syntax appropriate for
those dialects.
Information for Programmers 0
If you are an experienced programmer and you want to write your own
scripting additions, you should be thoroughly familiar with the Apple Event
Manager, Apple event terminology resources, and the standard suites of Apple
events. For information about the Apple Event Manager and Apple event
terminology resources, see
Inside Macintosh: Interapplication Communication. For
definitions of the standard suites, see the Apple Event Registry: Standard Suites.
Conventions Used in This Guide 0
Words and sample scripts in monospaced font are AppleScript language
elements that must be typed exactly as shown.
Here are some additional conventions used in syntax descriptions:
language element
Plain computer font indicates an element that you must
type exactly as shown. If there are special symbols (for
example, + or &), you must also type them exactly as
shown.
placeholder Italic text indicates a placeholder that you must replace
with an appropriate value. (In some programming
languages, placeholders are called nonterminals.)
[ optional ] Brackets indicate that the enclosed language element or
elements are optional.
( a group ) Parentheses group together elements. If parentheses are
part of the syntax, they are shown in bold.
[ optional ]... Three ellipsis points (. . .) after a group defined by
brackets indicate that you can repeat the group of
elements within brackets 0 or more times.