JavaScript for Automation (JXA) Resources

JXA Resources.md

JXA Resources

Revised: 2019-11-28 16:16 GMT-6

This is a list of the key resources I have found useful. If you know of others, please post in a comment below, and I will add to this list.

I have tried to order this list in the order that, to me, is best for learning JXA from scratch. We all learn a bit diferently, so adjust to suit your style/needs. Please post if you have suggestions on learning JXA.

• I like starting with the videos in the Introduction.
• You won't be able to understand or remember everything the first time through, but it should help to give you the big picture, and maybe a few concepts.
• After you have read some of the other references, and played around with JXA for a while, you may find it worthwhile to view the video's again -- I picked up a lot more my second viewing.
• The same thing goes for the Apple Release Notes. These will be much more meaningful the 2nd or 3rd time you read them (at least it was for me)
• I am still learning JXA, just like you. So please feel free to post any suggestions/corrections that you may have.

Important Requirements

• You must be running at least macOS Yosemite (10.10.3) to use JXA
• It is best to be running macOS El Capitan (10.11.6) or later, since a number of JXA bug fixes and enhancements were made.

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Introduction

1. Video -- JXA Introduction by Sal Soghoian, post 2014 WWDC (~25 min), 2014-10-11
2. Video -- 2014 WWDC session video on JXA. (can view ONLY in Safari), (~53 min), 2014-06-02

Official Apple Reference

1. Mac Automation Scripting Guide -- AppleScript & JXA, 2016-06-13
2. JXA Release Notes in Yosemite 10.10, 2014-10-17
3. JXA Release Notes in El Capitan 10.11, 2015-09-16
4. AppleScript Language Guide
   • Although this guide provides examples in AppleScript, almost all of the concepts and commands also apply to JXA.
   • Use this guide as needed to obtain more insight into Mac automation via scripting
5. Scripting Reference Forms
   • This is one section of the guide that applies fully to both AppleScript and JXA, just a difference in syntax.

Debugging

1. Debugging JXA with the Safari Web Inspector, 2015-09-16, OS X 10.11 Release Notes
2. Video -- How to Debug JXA Scripts with Safari Debugger, 2016-06-20, YouTube Video by JMichaelTX.
3. Debugging JXA Scripts with Safari Debugger, 2016-06-20, by JMichaelTX

Getting Started

1. JXA: Getting Started with Javascript for Automation, 2014-12-02, by Alex Guyot at macstories.net.
2. Extensibility and Automation Changes in OS X Yosemite, 2014-10-17, by Alex Guyot at macstories.net.
3. A Beginners Guide to JXA (with Alfred examples), 2016-10-10, by Richard Guay at tutsplus.com.
4. How to Install AppleScripts or JXA Scripts, 2016-02-13, by JMichaelTX.

Third Party Reference

1. JXA Cookbook Wiki, Started 2014-10-28, by Thai Pangsakulyanont (dtinth) and others.

Using JXA with Objective-C and Cocoa

1. Objective-C Bridging with AppleScript & JXA, 2016-03-21
2. Using Objective-C with JXA (JXAObjC), 2015-09-16
3. Using Objective C (ObjC) with JXA (JXA Cookbook), 2017-06-24

User Forums with Topics on JXA

1. Keyboard Maestro Topics Tagged with JXA
2. Stackoverflow.com Questions Tagged with JXA
3. Stackoverflow.com Questions Tagged with javascript-automation

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JavaScript Resources

Although the focus here is JXA, clearly a good knowledge of the core JavaScript is essential. So here's my list:

1. JavaScript Ref Guide, Tutorials, & Documentation -- Mozilla
2. Douglas Crockford's Javascript Web Site
3. JavaScript: The Good Parts -- by Douglas Crockford (Kindle Edition)
4. A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript -- by Mark Myers (Kindle Edition)