[ktolis]

I am looking for a script/code/script language/excerpt/anything that would allow me to read the contents of application windows. I want to read some strings/values from an application I don't have the source code. The application is using Cocoa windows and I need to read only generic data (strings or object positions at most).

Has anyone got some pointers I could follow. The ideal solution I guess would be the ability with some sort of script to be able to traverse a hierarchy in the form of

system.application[1].window[2].title
system.application[1].window[2].string[5].text
system.myappname.window[0].textbox[1].height

or so. I'd appreciate if you point me to some code or example.

thnx!

[Mithras]

Two options:
If the app has an Applescript API, you can use that directly. Find out by opening Script Editor, and then drag-and-dropping the application onto Script Editor's icon in the Dock.

If not, Applescript GUI scripting may be able to do what you want.

[Chuckit]

AppleScript is the intended way to do this.

[ktolis]

I agree with using AppleScript but not all applications use it ( sigh ) and the one I need to access doesn't either.

Mithras you mentioned AS GUI Scripting. Any links to some useful tutorials/guides?

[ktolis]

I found

http://www.apple.com/applescript/uiscripting/index.html

I tried PrefabUI too but neither this nor Apple's utility provide nested UI items. I guess this is as good as it gets for now.