![]() ![]() HOWEVER, there are a couple of serious limitations to doing this. In FileMaker Pro 3.0, the engineers made the program attachable, which simply means that you don't HAVE to have a separate Applet to perform an AppleScript, you can write the AppleScript directly in FileMaker. In this series of articles we'll explore examples of both kinds, including how to send your own custom AppleEvent(s) to your Applet. You can also have the Applet stay open and wait to receive more commands. Typically, you'll create an Applet, send the Open Application event from your database, the Applet will open, perform its operation(s), then quit itself. With it, you can open an AppleScript application (called an ∺pplet), pass it some data, pass it your own custom Apple Event, have it act upon your database, pass information to other applications, and tons more! This command has been around since FileMaker Pro 2.0, and is the one you'll probably wind up using the most. Well, if everything is ready to go, let's DIVE IN! If you have system 7.5, then AppleScript 1.1 came with your system and is already installed (unless you've removed it). If you're not sure, open your ∾xtensions folder, click once on the ∺ppleScript extension, and choose Get Info from the ∿ile menu. The current version of AppleScript is version 1.1, and all examples will assume you have this version. To use AppleScript you MUST have system 7.1 or later (if you use system 7.0 or 7.01 you also need QuickTime 1.5 ). We'll talk more about scripting additions in future articles, so don't worry too much about them right now, just be aware that they exist. There's another addition called ∼hoose File that contains the resources and special code required so that you can have your Applet choose a file, just like the Open command in many applications. There is also a folder called Scripting Additions (inside your ∾xtensions folder) that tells AppleScript how to perform system-level functions that aren't supported directly by the AppleScript language.įor example, there's a scripting addition called beep that works with the System's Sound Manager to make the Mac perform the beep sound. There are some extensions (AppleEvent Manager, and AppleScript, AppleScriptLib) that load when your computer starts up, and an application called Script Editor where you actually write and save your scripts. ![]() Note: Teaching you how to program is beyond the scope of these articles, but there are a couple of excellent books on AppleScript noted at the end of this article.ĪppleScript can do all of this because it is a system resource. ![]() For example, you can get data from your FileMaker database, tell AppleScript to process it, then tell PageMaker to format and save it, then send the file via Claris Emailer all automatically. AppleScript is different because it can CONTROL MULTIPLE applications. There are many different scripting programs out there HyperCard, SuperCard, Microphone, Excel, PageMaker, Quark Express and others that all allow you to control every aspect of their interface. If you're already using AppleScript, please feel free to jump to the next section! If you're new to AppleScript, or have heard of it, but don't quite know what it does - read on. In this first article we'll talk about the differences in FileMaker's two new scripting steps Send Apple Event and Perform AppleScript.īefore we dive in and examine the commands and examples, I'll talk a little bit about what AppleScript is and how it basically works. You can duplicate, move, rename or create files, automate time-consuming (or boring, repetitive tasks), set time-intensive tasks to run overnight, or extend the functionality of different applications. There are tons of cool things you can with it. AppleScript is a great tool for extending the functionality of FileMaker and can help you get (or set) data from a database and have it act on data in other programs. The purpose of this series of articles is to explore different techniques, tips, and tricks for using AppleScript with FileMaker. ![]()
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