Book Recommendation to Learn Applescript?
I'd like to buy the title: "Applescript Programming for the Absolute Beginner" published by the company Thomson. The title fits me perfectly and it's one of the shorter books out there (the basics are more than enough for me at this point).
It was published in July of 2007 though.
I'm wondering, is Applescript today significantly different from the Applescript of 2.5 years ago or mostly the same? Would I be foolish to purchase a title written before 2010?
I'm living in Japan at this time so unfortunately there are no English books that I can peruse at the bookstore : (. Hah.
Thanks for your input!
Tony is completely correct about there being a lot of online resources, but that being said the professionalism of a good book can't be denied. Also personally I never found that perfect tutorial on applescript online that I was looking for (though I am sure it is out there).
I'd like to add on a wholly personal note, which could easily be contested, that applescript is not the best first programming language to learn. Due to its english like syntax it is often unclear (at least to me) and any tutorial will be forced to spend a lot of time on aliases/folders/files and scripting finder and other apps which I feel should be extensions you learn after the basics. (One tutorial I remember the first thing you learn is how to make the computer speak "Hello World." using the command 'say'. Really? Does this help you learn anything about programming?)
I tried to get a handle on (pun intended) applescript a few years back but just got frustrated as I was learning how to go through the motions but not what was going on behind them. After learning C (excellent online tutorials) I can now compare every functional aspect of applescript to a lower level language and just had to add on the use of higher level scripting to get better at applescript.
Just my two cents though.
Also I've found that the title of any book or resource which contains "Absolute Beginner" is extremely tedious, no matter the subject, as it will constantly reinforce basic points and ignore anything it feels to complicated. I prefer a basics or even standards book which makes you refer to earlier parts in the book and outside subjects (at least it will tell you what they are) on your own.
In summary: if all you want is the basics of applescript to move files around on your computer then you should find all of it online and not need to buy the book; if you want to learn a programming language and be able to actually program then I'd recommend a different language first and buying a more advanced applescript book later.
Good Luck,
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>--Original Message--
>From: [email protected]
>Date: 10/06/2009 15:25
>To: "Martin Coleman"<[email protected]>
>Subj: Book Recommendation for Fathers Day?
>
>Mordy Goldings Real World Adobe Illustrator CS 4
>
>http://www.amazon.com/Real-World-Adobe-Illustrator-CS4/dp/0321573552
>
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