AppleScript syntax

Question

I know this is sloppy code, but here it is:

display dialog ("Start Screensaver. Please type: matrix, coffee, waffles, star, water, or
fireworks.", default answer "")
if text returned of result = "matrix" then
set user_choice to "MatrixSaver"
else
if text returned of result = "coffee" then
    set user_choice to "Coffee"
else
    if text returned of result = "waffles" then
        set user_choice to "Waffles"
    else
        if text returned of result = "star" then
            set user_choice to "Hyperspace"
        else
            if text returned of result = "water" then
                set user_choice to "LotsaWater"
            else
                if text returned of result = "fireworks" then
                    set user_choice to "Skyrocket"
                else
                    (*do nothing*)
                end if
            end if
        end if
    end if
end if
end if

if (user_choice = null) then (*do nothing*)
else
tell application "System Events"
    set ss to screen saver user_choice
    start ss
end tell
end if

When I'm trying to compile my code, the 'default answer' Is highlighted, and it says: "Expected “)”, etc. but found identifier."

Any Ideas? Thanks.

jtbandes · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-25 03:37:12Z

2

I believe the correct syntax is just

display dialog "Start Screensaver. Please ..." default answer ""

answered Aug 25, 2011 at 3:37

jtbandes

119k38 gold badges244 silver badges282 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

fireshadow52 · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-25 11:49:03Z

2

The , between the ("Start Screensaver") and the default answer parameter is causing the syntax error. Remove the ,.

This isn't a syntax error, but the variable user_choice doesn't exist outside of the big if block. If you ran it as written, you would get this message at the last if block:

The variable user_choice is not defined.

You could fix this by declaring the variable before the display dialog statement...

set the user_choice to ""

Now you can use the variable anywhere in the code. :)

answered Aug 25, 2011 at 11:49

fireshadow52

6,5562 gold badges34 silver badges48 bronze badges

3 Comments

Nicholas Riley Over a year ago

The second half of your answer is incorrect—AppleScript only has local (function) and global scopes.

CodeKid Over a year ago

@fireshadow25 When I did what you said, 'default' of 'default answer' was highlighted, and the program say that it expected a "," Any Thoughts?

fireshadow52 Over a year ago

@CodeKid Yeah. The parenthases aren't really needed unless you are evaluating an expression. I'd suggest removing both parentheses from the display dialog statement.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

AppleScript syntax

2 Answers 2

Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related