Mac Bash Script To App

About Mac Scripting

Scripting allows you to automate complex, repetitive, and time-consuming tasks by writing scripts that interact with apps, processes, and the operating system. A script consists of a series of statements, each of which performs a specific operation. These statements work together to automate tasks. Through scripting, you can create powerful workflow solutions that enhance productivity, reduce errors, save time, and save money.

There are many different scripting languages. On the Mac, the primary ones used for automation are AppleScript and JavaScript.

Your actual shell script to make it as an application: Now have your script file with.sh extension ready and run the below command to make you shell script as a Mac application. Appify your-shell-script.sh 'Your App Name' Add an icon to your application: This one is very simple. Just copy any image you want as the app. Hi guys, I'm new here and new to shell scripting so don't be hard on me I'm trying to create a bash script to restart a process by name in Mac OSX. I have no problem killing the application, the problem comes when launching it again. I managed to store the path in a variable lets say.

Note

OS X also includes Automator, an app for building workflows that run prebuilt, configurable actions to perform tasks in apps and throughout the operating system. Automator doesn’t require you to write any code, but can be extended through scripting. Because Automator uses preconceived actions and operates in a linear manner, it’s more limited in functionality than scripting. Automator is great for performing simple tasks involving a small number of sequential steps or apps. Scripting is a better choice for performing advanced, branching, or complex tasks.

Python and Perl are other examples of scripting languages.

AppleScript

AppleScript is a mature scripting language developed by Apple. It’s relatively easy to learn in relation to other scripting and programming languages, has been around since System 7.1, and has been widely adopted in both enterprise and personal workflows. While the AppleScript scripting language uses an English-like terminology which may appear simple, it is a rich, object-oriented language, capable of performing complicated programming tasks.

The core fundamentals of AppleScript are described in AppleScript Language Guide, as well as in numerous third-party books.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a popular cross-platform scripting language. Historically, it’s been most commonly used to implement features on websites and in web-based apps that are accessed through browsers. However, some apps implement JavaScript-based scripting models for the purpose of automation. In OS X 10.10, JavaScript became a peer to AppleScript in OS X. There are many third-party websites and books that document the JavaScript language.

For fundamentals on JavaScript as a scripting language for automation in OS X, see JavaScript for Automation Release Notes. For information about the JavaScript language, see Mozilla’s official JavaScript documentation.

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Getting to Know Script Editor

Script Editor, found in /Applications/Utilities/, is an app for writing AppleScripts and JavaScripts. It provides the ability to edit, compile, and run scripts, browse scripting terminology, and save scripts in a variety of formats including compiled scripts, apps, and plain text.

Note

Xcode can also be used to write AppleScriptObjC and JavaScriptObjC apps.

Navigating Script Editor Documents

A Script Editor document window includes the following main areas, as shown in Figure 5-1:

Bash
  • Toolbar—Use this to compile, run, and stop your script. Buttons are also available for showing and hiding the accessory view pane and the bundle contents pane. Select View > Customize Toolbar, or Control-click on the toolbar and choose Customize Toolbar, to choose what buttons displayed in the toolbar.

    The toolbar also includes a Record button, which converts manual mouse clicks and keystrokes into script code. However, recording is not supported in JavaScript and few apps support AppleScript recording.

  • Navigation bar—Use this bar to select a scripting language, target an app, or navigate through the handlers in your script.

    The navigation bar currently only supports navigation of AppleScript handlers.

  • Editor pane—Write your script code here.

  • Accessory View pane—View and edit your script’s description here, or browse the result and events produced when your script runs.

  • Bundle Contents pane— Edit the identifier, version, and copyright info for your script here. You can also use this pane to add, remove, or manage resources contained within the bundle. This pane is accessible only when your script is saved in script bundle or app format.

Script

Targeting a Scripting Language

When you create a Script Editor document, select a scripting language in the navigation bar. See Figure 5-2.

If you always use the same language, set it as the default in the General pane of Script Editor preferences. See Figure 5-3.

Viewing Script Events and Results

Script Editor can display the result of executing a script, as well as a log of events sent and received during execution.

Note

A result is a value generated when a script statement executes. For example, executing the make command to create a folder in the Finder produces the newly created folder object as its result. The result of a script is the result of the script’s last statement. If the script’s last statement doesn’t produce a result, then the script has no result.

Viewing the Script Result

The result of executing your script—if a result was produced—is found in the Accessory View pane. See Figure 5-4.

Do one of the following:

  • Choose View > Show Result.

  • Click the Show Result () button at the bottom of the Accessory View pane.

Viewing the Script Log

The Accessory View pane also contains a script log. See Figure 5-5.

The script log displays the following information.

  • Result—The result of executing your script.

  • Messages—Includes log messages generated as your script runs, as well as the script’s result.

  • Events—Includes log messages, the script’s result, and events—commands—sent to applications.

  • Replies—Includes log messages, the script’s result, events sent to applications, and event replies.

Do one of the following:

  • Choose View > Show Log.

  • Click the Show Log () button at the bottom of the Accessory View pane.

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In AppleScript, log messages are generated using the log command. See Listing 5-1.

APPLESCRIPT

Bash Script Example

Listing 5-1AppleScript: Example of a log message at the root level of a script

Since the log command targets the script itself, you must explicitly use the me keyword to direct it to the script when calling it within a tell statement. See Listing 5-2.

APPLESCRIPT

Listing 5-2AppleScript: Example of a log message within an application tell statement
  1. tell app 'Finder'
  2. tell me to log 'My log entry.'
  3. end tell

In JavaScript, log messages are generated by calling the console.log() method anywhere in your script. See Listing 5-3.

JAVASCRIPT

Run Script Mac

Listing 5-3JavaScript: Example of a log message

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Viewing the Log History

Mac Bash Script Example

The result and script log areas in the Accessory View pane reset each time you run your script. However, you can view historical logs for an opened script in the Log History window. See Figure 5-6. Hootoo tripmate mac app download.

Mac Bash Scripting

To view the Log History window

Run Bash Script Mac

  • Press Option-Command-L.

  • Click the Log History button () in the top right of the Accessory View pane.

Copyright © 2018 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Updated: 2016-06-13