Memories of JavaScript OSA (original) (raw)
March 15, 2018, 3:56am #1
Those of you who were with me in the Script Debugger 3.0 days may recall my unsuccessful attempt to create a JavaScript alternative to AppleScript. This was long before Apple introduced JavaScript for Automation (JXA). Unfortunately, JavaScript OSA was ahead of its time.
I like to think that JavaScript OSA showed the way for Apple’s JavaScript for Automation effort, though they chose a very different approach to interfacing with applications.
Sadly the code no longer compiles but the documentation remains. Matt Neuburg created a great document describing JavaScript OSA:
danrod (Daniel Rodrigue)
March 15, 2018, 11:10pm #2
Yes I do remember! That was when we were young and beautiful…
… we are still beautiful but less young…
I love memories!
doekman (Doeke Zanstra)
March 21, 2018, 1:02pm #3
I’m not sure I know what the difference is between JavasScript OSA and JXA.
When opening Scripteditor.app and choosing JavaScript as language; is this JavaScript OSA or JXA?
alldritt (Mark Alldritt)
March 21, 2018, 8:31pm #4
At this stage it is impossible for both JXA and JavaScript OSA to both be active on your machine. Even if JavaScript OSA is present on your machine from an old Script Debugger installation, it will not load.
doekman (Doeke Zanstra)
May 29, 2018, 7:27am #5
It’s also mentioned as one of the OSA languages in AppleScript: The Definitive Guide.
It’s linking to a page (this link) that’s not available anymore. Maybe an idea to create some content (or to redirect to this forum page?).
alldritt (Mark Alldritt)
May 29, 2018, 6:30pm #6
done.
some extra characters to lengthen the post to satisfy Discourse