Read metadata for a file without Photoshop or Bridge

Question

Hi
Suppose I have a file in desktop called "test.jpg". So I create this variable:
var myFile = new File ("~/Desktop/test.jpg");
This file has some keywords and instructions I need to read. And if the reading process finds the correct keyword, then it copies the file to the appropriated folder. Well, in resume, I could do everything directlly using #target estoolkit. I´d not like to involve (opening) Photoshop or Bridge.
Is it possible to read the metadata of a file without targetting Bridge or Photoshop? Reading the reference I did not find any method or property for this, expect for the metadata library. BUT
If I try to load the metadata library using:
if (ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript == undefined) {
        ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript = new ExternalObject('lib:AdobeXMPScript');
then it sure will returns an error file or folder does not exists..
Any idea how I could proceed to load this library and read the metadata of a file directlly?
Thank you very much
Best Regards
Gustavo.

Answer 1

Hi friends
Thank you very much for your inputs. Muppet....what do you mean when you write The modified date gets bumped and can be a PITA? What means "PITA"?
So, if it´s impossible to invoke [directly] the default library without targetting Bridge or Photoshop...I´ll simplify the things and use Bridge to house the script. No problem.
So, look at what I´m doing:
#target bridge
if (ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript == undefined) {
        ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript = new ExternalObject('lib:AdobeXMPScript');
var test = new File ("~/Desktop/Test.jpg");
var xmp = test.metadata;
alert(xmp);
...But, the alert in Adobe Bridge is returning nothing (""). And I know this image exists and it has metadata.
I remember to use metadata for reading the currently selected image in Content panel of Bridge (and it worked), but never tried direrctly declaring a file and reading this way.
Am I missing anything obvious?
Thank you very much
Gustavo.
Message was edited by: Gustavo Del Vechio