

References For Learning & Using Applescriptįor examples of AppleScript code check out the pre-installed scripts provided by Apple at: /Library/Scripts.You can also use the heredoc syntax or turn into a pure applescript executable script with the shebang line #!/usr/bin/osascript (for AppleScript) or #!/usr/bin/osascript -l JavaScript for Javascript JXA correspondingly. Make sure you include the single quote on the last line.

Set avd to (choose from list avds with prompt "Please select an AVD to start" default items "None" OK button name )ĭo shell script "~/Library/Android/sdk/emulator/emulator -avd " & avd & " -no-boot-anim > /dev/null 2>&1 &"
Pashua mac tutorial android#
Then again, every use case is different.Not a drop-in replacement and not directly compatible with bash/zenity, but if you are ok with a non-portable native Mac OOTB solution with no extra dependencies then consider AppleScript (or, as of Yosemite, Javascript JXA).īelow is a typical scenario of an AppleScript that builds a dialog from the output of a shell command ( emulator -list-avds which lists android emulator images), and then executes another command based on the selected item ( emulator -avd which launches the selected emulator image): set avds to paragraphs of (do shell script "~/Library/Android/sdk/emulator/emulator -list-avds") While I used to use AppleScript fairly extensively myself, I found it was difficult to debug, error-prone and difficult to integrate into Jamf SelfService. While all of the above solutions require some degree of shell scripting knowledge, much of what you need to know can easily be googled or found here on communities like Jamf Nation or the Macadmins Slack channel. Of course for more basic dialog boxes, you can also check out Jamf's built-in JamfHelper tool or even the extremely simple one-line command jamf displayMessage -message. Many of us used to utilize the infamous cocoadialog tool () which was fairly extensive as an easier to use replacement for AppleScript UI, however newer versions of macOS are not supported (due to the 32-bit runtime), and while we wait for the new version to be stable/released, a similar open source solution (that I've began using to replace cocoadialog) is something called Pashua (). there are some great alternatives out there. If you're primarily using AppleScript to invoke UI elements such as dialog boxes or more complex interfaces with menus, checkboxes, etc.
Pashua mac tutorial how to#


Granted, I'd rather know that a script can't just do stuff on my machine without my knowledge/permission, but it makes my automation a little harder.īut I was just looking at the "Open Dictionary" menu item to get a piece of documentation and surprised at the number of modern/recent apps I had that provided AppleScript support. And for that reason, other developers aren't putting in the hooks like they used to. The problem is that Apple's walking the security/usability line well on the security side and apps and Applescripts need to be approved to get things done. The only reason I resort to AppleScript is for interprocess automation/communication or to provide a user interface.Īpple isn't writing it off, in fact AppleScript is still being baked into all the modern apps. My preference (whenever possible) is to use shell or python instead. I am a big fan of all things automation including AppleScript and Automator.
