Applescript to read data from text file

Hello all, I am writing an Applescript to read a file and put that file's contents into a variable. However, when I use the applescript command "read", I get the error:

The text file reads "4.65". I need to extract that number to show up in a dialog box. This is the code I have so far.

set milefile to ("Macintosh HD:Users:RyanSiebecker:Documents:Scripts:Source-Files:Running-Files:milefile.tx t")

set theFileContents to (readfilemilefile)

I am stuck and I cannot find any other way to do this.

As always, any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Ryan

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Mar 30, 2014 11:04 AM

4 replies

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,400 points

Mar 30, 2014 11:13 AM in response to RyanSiebecker

Syntax notwithstanding, take the whitespace out of your file .txt extension.

Mar 30, 2014 11:37 AM in response to RyanSiebecker

Have you noticed that your file name's extension (".tx t") has a space in it? Though that mismatch would get a -43 Not Found error, not EOF.

Your code ( with and without the gapped extension) works here.

Maybe the path isn't perfect?

To make a perfect path easily, start with this:

set milefile to POSIX file ("") -- note the null string ("")

Then arrange your windows so that you can drag the icon representing your file from wherever it is in the Finder's world into your AppleScript Editor's window, and carefully drop it right between the ""s.

If you miss, don't worry. It'll be selected, so just Cut and then Paste it between the ""s. You'll get a perfect path, only with slashes instead of colons. The "POSIX file" specifier converts it to "colon notation", still perfectly.

--Gil

Mar 30, 2014 11:41 AM in response to Gil Dawson

Thanks so much... It works perfectly now.

Thanks again,

Ryan

Mar 30, 2014 4:06 PM in response to RyanSiebecker

Hi, Ryan--

Glad to be able to help. And thanks for the check.

If you want to get serious about coding in AppleScript, you ahould consider joining the ApplScript-Users mailing list. There there are a lot of helpful people.

--Gil

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Applescript to read data from text file