How do I script the Application Switcher?

Question

I would like to write a script that brings up the application switcher, to allow its use without having to use the actual "command-tab" keyboard shortcut. This seems like a very simple thing, but I haven't been able to find any solution.
I initially thought that I might be able to access the application switcher directly through the Finder or System Events libraries, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Then I turned to just having applescript execute the keyboard shortcut directly. While I can do a "keystroke tab using command down", what I want is to bring the app switcher menu up and leave it. Using a keyboard, I would hit control-tab, then continue to hold command (during which time I can do things like use the arrow keys). So I thought I would have my script simulate this behavior. Unfortunately I gather that modifier keys can only be modifiers for other keys, not held alone (with a "key down command" line). Is this correct?
Any other ideas? Ideally I want one script to bring up the app switcher (or do command-tab, with command left held) and another script to dismiss the switcher, choosing the app selected (or releasing the command key).

Answer 1

While the System Events script presented here, which you've tried, and a variation of which I've used in the past, might seem worthwhile, it is actually fraught with at least two potentially dangerous gotchas.
Problem one: Your Command key will be tied up for the duration of the script, as determined by the specified delay time, even if you dismiss the Application Switcher palette early by clicking off it. That means no use of your keyboard or mouse for the full 10 seconds (or however many seconds you specify) without the Command key acting as a modifier for whatever action you might want to take, in whatever application you're in. For example, clicking on a docked application icon during this 10-second delay will not switch to that application as you might expect, but will instead reveal its location in the Finder -- normal behavior when a docked icon is otherwise intentionally Command-clicked. Attempting to kill the script early by pressing ⌘. will only make things worse.
Problem two: Attempting to kill the script early by pressing ⌘. might not allow the script to reach the *key up* command, which is critical. If you don't allow the script to reach the *key up* command, your Mac will remain in a state where your Command key is virtually kept held down, rendering your keyboard useless, and producing the kind of mouse weirdness described above, +even after exiting the script.+ Logging out and back in to your account does cure this condition, however. Fortunately, should this unpleasant situation arise, you can avoid the need to log out by keeping a ready-made script +saved as an application+ available in your Script menu and running it if needed:
*tell application "System Events"*
*key up command*
*end tell*
Just my 2¢... Good luck.