Could not save changes to this script because of a program error. -2706

Question

OK, this is very odd! Please try the following and let me know your results:
1) Create a new script with the following example code:
set testList to {}
repeat with i from 1 to 8145
copy i to end of testList
end repeat
2) Save the script as an Application (name it whatever you like).
3) Launch the newly created Application and see if you get the same error message I am getting...
    *Could not save changes to this script because of a program error.*
    -2706
If you replace the number 8145 with 8144 (or any number less than 8145) the script runs without error. Any number greater than 8144 returns the error message shown above. Maybe there's a reason for this that I'm overlooking or is this another bug?
I looked up error code -2706 ([HERE|http://developer.apple.com/Mac/library/documentation/AppleScript/Concept ual/AppleScriptLangGuide/reference/ASLRerrorcodes.html]) which says it is a "*Stack overflow.*"
Thanx in advance for any insight on this!!
NOTE:
The only workaround I've found for this is to make sure the script resets the variable before it quits. Like this:
set testList to {}
repeat with i from 1 to 8145
copy i to end of testList
end repeat
set testList to ""

Answer 1

Hey Pierre, thanx for taking the time to scratch your head with me!
Very odd indeed.
Glad it's not just me that thinks this!
I've also noticed that the problem occurs even when you try to save the script as a compiled script. That's possible as long as you haven't run the script. Once you have run it, trying to save it seems impossible. You get the message: *“The document “Document title” could not be saved.”*
I've noticed the same thing as you and have experienced this extra error several times while trouble shooting this problem!
On the other hand, is there any good reason for which you would want to save such a big list? Are there any drawbacks to the workaround you've found?
I don't want to save ANY variable EVER unless I explicitly tell my script to do so! This variable is not a property, so why would my script want to save it? I haven't noticed any drawbacks to the workaround. Setting the list variable to "" or {} (or ANYthing with under 8145 items) seems to work fine. I just find it weird that my script can't "*save changes to itself*"?! What is there to save? It's just a variable that should release after my script has run ...unless I'm completely misunderstanding how variables work after ALL these years of scripting.
Btw, the following version of the script (as you probably already know) is much faster, although it doesn't change anything to the result:
*set testList to {}*
*set testListRef to a reference to testList*
*repeat with i from 1 to 8144*
*copy i to end of testListRef*
*end repeat*
Yeah, it definitely runs much faster this way! I just posted a quick example that would illustrate the 8144 list count limit. My script sets a variable to a list of numbers contained in a text file. This list is almost always rather large! Right now there are over 20,000 items in this list of numbers.
Again, thanx for your time my friend!!