[Pythonmac-SIG] Python+Automator?

[Bob Savage]

On Jan 24, 2005, at 7:04 PM, has wrote:

>> The idea here is to develop Automator actions so that _end users_ can
>> automate with complete ease and simplicity, not to make the writing of
>> actions simple.
>
> False dichotomy. While I absolutely agree with the first, I see 
> absolutely no reason why writing actions should not also be made as 
> simple as possible. Otherwise you might as well argue that there's no 
> point in creating languages like Python because you can already 
> program anything in C.
>

It's a floor wax *and* a desert topping! Yes, ultimately end users will 
be assembling pre-built pieces in an easy, visually obvious, snap it 
together way. And yes, some people will be happy to pay someone else to 
build a custom piece for them, so that they can snap it into their 
existing set. And yes, there will be some clever folks in between who 
might hire someone to do C programming, or perhaps have some legacy 
code, and figure they can use Python to glue it into their or their 
customers' workflow. Etc. and Etc.

I like has' idea that instead of a VB-like systems integrator group on 
the Mac platform, these people might stumble across an article on the 
O'Reilly site or something describing how to do something interesting 
by writing Python code that is reusable as a component inside of 
Automator. I would recommend that someone interested in writing said 
article look specifically at a solution for the publishing industry. 
That industry has bought into the idea of using Macs, but more 
importantly, they have bought into the idea of assembling workflows 
(using AppleScript, traditionally) in order to automate repetitive 
actions. Perhaps processing of an XML file prior to feeding it into 
Adobe's InDesign, but really anything cool that's a good read would 
serve the purpose.

Thanks to has for starting this thread, and thanks to Bob Ippolito for 
contributing code, since at least someone checking the archive can look 
here:

http://mail.python.org/pipermail/pythonmac-sig/2005-January/012696.html