Issue encountered when attempting to execute a JavaScript AppleScript from another JavaScript AppleScript due to permissions error

Question

Issue encountered when attempting to execute a JavaScript AppleScript from another JavaScript AppleScript due to permissions error

I am in the process of organizing my .applescript files by separating them into different ones for better organization.

Within my JS AppleScript file named Test.applescript, I am attempting to execute another JS AppleScript file called

Group Tracks Dependency.applescript

. My goal is to pass a parameter into the dependency script and retrieve a return value from it, which creates an array of arrays of iTunes tracks.

In Test.applescript:

(function() {
    var app = Application('iTunes');
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true;

    app.doShellScript('Group Tracks Dependency.applescript');

    return "Done";
})();

// For quick logging
function log(obj) {
    this.console.log(obj);
}

In Group Tracks Dependency.applescript:

(function(selection) {

    return getGroupsOfTracks(selection);

    function getGroupsOfTracks(originalTracksArray) {
        if (originalTracksArray == null || originalTracksArray.length == 0) 
            return null;

        var tracks = originalTracksArray.slice();
        var groups = [];
        while (true) {
            var group = [];
            group.push(tracks[0]);
            tracks = tracks.slice(1);

            while (true) {
                if (!tracks[0]) break;
                if (tracks[0].album() != group[0].album())
                    break;
                if (tracks[0].artist() != group[0].artist())
                    break;
                if (tracks[0].discNumber() != group[0].discNumber())
                    break;
                group.push(tracks[0]);
                tracks = tracks.slice(1);
            }

            groups.push(group);
            if (!tracks[0]) break;
        }

        return groups;
    }
})();

Upon running the Test script, I encounter an error at line 5 (app.doShellScript):

Error on line 5: Error: A privilege violation occurred.

I am seeking a solution to bypass this issue. Additionally, I want to make these scripts easily accessible for others to download and use on their own iTunes libraries in the future (although the current setup may not be user-friendly).

If there is no workaround for this problem, would importing another JS AppleScript file serve as a viable solution?

javascript permissions applescript javascript-automation

Answer 1

Answer №1

Perhaps you're faced with a challenge that .doShellScript can't solve on its own.

One alternative recommended by Apple is to utilize a Script Library, as outlined in detail at https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/releasenotes/InterapplicationCommunication/RN-JavaScriptForAutomation/Articles/OSX10-11.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014508-CH110-SW1

Regrettably, script libraries do have limitations when it comes to passing complex variables.

Another approach worth considering is using require, which can be implemented following the instructions provided at https://github.com/dtinth/JXA-Cookbook/wiki/Importing-Scripts

Answer 2

Perhaps you're faced with a challenge that .doShellScript can't solve on its own.

One alternative recommended by Apple is to utilize a Script Library, as outlined in detail at https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/releasenotes/InterapplicationCommunication/RN-JavaScriptForAutomation/Articles/OSX10-11.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014508-CH110-SW1

Regrettably, script libraries do have limitations when it comes to passing complex variables.

Another approach worth considering is using require, which can be implemented following the instructions provided at https://github.com/dtinth/JXA-Cookbook/wiki/Importing-Scripts

Answer 3

Answer №2

I've found a solution that works well for me using Script Editor 2.8.1 (183.1) on OSX 10.11.4:

Begin by creating a main JXA Script file
Next, create a JXA Script Library file

Both of these files must be saved as compiled script files (.scpt)

It's important to note that the statement "Unfortunately a script library has constraints where you can only pass simple variables" is incorrect.

You have the flexibility to call any functions from the Script Library file in any JXA script.

In your main script file, which I'll name "Get iTunes Group Selection.scpt":

var app = Application('iTunes');
app.includeStandardAdditions = true;

var myLib = Library("My JXA Lib")

var selectionArr = app.selection()   // ### Change as needed ###
var groupArr = myLib.getGroupsOfTracks(selectionArr)
groupArr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, in a separate script file that needs to be saved as:

~/Library/Script Libraries/My JXA Lib.scpt

function getGroupsOfTracks(originalTracksArray) {
        if (originalTracksArray == null || originalTracksArray.length == 0) 
            return null;

        var tracks = originalTracksArray.slice();
        var groups = [];
        while (true) {
            var group = [];
            group.push(tracks[0]);
            tracks = tracks.slice(1);

            while (true) {
                if (!tracks[0]) break;
                if (tracks[0].album() != group[0].album())
                    break;
                if (tracks[0].artist() != group[0].artist())
                    break;
                if (tracks[0].discNumber() != group[0].discNumber())
                    break;
                group.push(tracks[0]);
                tracks = tracks.slice(1);
            }

            groups.push(group);
            if (!tracks[0]) break;
        }

        return groups;
 }

Answer 4

I've found a solution that works well for me using Script Editor 2.8.1 (183.1) on OSX 10.11.4:

Begin by creating a main JXA Script file
Next, create a JXA Script Library file

Both of these files must be saved as compiled script files (.scpt)

It's important to note that the statement "Unfortunately a script library has constraints where you can only pass simple variables" is incorrect.

You have the flexibility to call any functions from the Script Library file in any JXA script.

In your main script file, which I'll name "Get iTunes Group Selection.scpt":

var app = Application('iTunes');
app.includeStandardAdditions = true;

var myLib = Library("My JXA Lib")

var selectionArr = app.selection()   // ### Change as needed ###
var groupArr = myLib.getGroupsOfTracks(selectionArr)
groupArr

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, in a separate script file that needs to be saved as:

~/Library/Script Libraries/My JXA Lib.scpt

function getGroupsOfTracks(originalTracksArray) {
        if (originalTracksArray == null || originalTracksArray.length == 0) 
            return null;

        var tracks = originalTracksArray.slice();
        var groups = [];
        while (true) {
            var group = [];
            group.push(tracks[0]);
            tracks = tracks.slice(1);

            while (true) {
                if (!tracks[0]) break;
                if (tracks[0].album() != group[0].album())
                    break;
                if (tracks[0].artist() != group[0].artist())
                    break;
                if (tracks[0].discNumber() != group[0].discNumber())
                    break;
                group.push(tracks[0]);
                tracks = tracks.slice(1);
            }

            groups.push(group);
            if (!tracks[0]) break;
        }

        return groups;
 }

Answer 5

Answer №3

It has been a couple of years...

I encountered some issues with JXA and doShellScript when attempting to execute the script with Application("Finder"). These problems were resolved by running the script using Application.currentApplication() instead. Therefore, I utilized

const finder = Application("Finder")

for Finder-specific tasks and

const app = Application.currentApplication()

for script execution.

For instance:

//test1.scpt
function run() {    
    const app = Application.currentApplication()
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true
    app.doShellScript("osascript ~/Desktop/test2.scpt")
}

//test2.scpt
function run() {
    const app = Application.currentApplication()
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true
    
    app.displayDialog("foo")
    app.doShellScript("osascript -e 'display dialog \"bar\"'")
}

When executing test1.scpt, it generates two dialogs: foo and `bar.

Answer 6

It has been a couple of years...

I encountered some issues with JXA and doShellScript when attempting to execute the script with Application("Finder"). These problems were resolved by running the script using Application.currentApplication() instead. Therefore, I utilized

const finder = Application("Finder")

for Finder-specific tasks and

const app = Application.currentApplication()

for script execution.

For instance:

//test1.scpt
function run() {    
    const app = Application.currentApplication()
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true
    app.doShellScript("osascript ~/Desktop/test2.scpt")
}

//test2.scpt
function run() {
    const app = Application.currentApplication()
    app.includeStandardAdditions = true
    
    app.displayDialog("foo")
    app.doShellScript("osascript -e 'display dialog \"bar\"'")
}

When executing test1.scpt, it generates two dialogs: foo and `bar.

Issue encountered when attempting to execute a JavaScript AppleScript from another JavaScript AppleScript due to permissions error

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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