calling a handler with "my"

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
#1

Hi Folks-

I recently cribbed some code which used the term “my” to call a subroutine, as in:

my subroutine_name

The Applescript Definitive Guide (which finally arrived!) refers to “my” as a synonym for “me”, and to be used as a reference to the current script, and shows calling a handler by merely stating the subroutine name:

subroutine_name

Could someone explain the use of “my”? Thanks!

Ralph

#2

Hi Ralph,

it’s very simple:
my in front of a subroutine is only neccesary, if the subroutine call is within a tell block e.g.

tell app "myApp"
-- do something
my subroutine()
end tell

PS: In Matt Neuburg’s book it’s described on p. 193

#3

On the other hand, my does no harm elsewhere. Whenever you get a message that so-and-so does not understand the “blah()” message, you probably need a “my”.

#4

That makes sense… thanks!

-ralph

#5

When you don’t specify my or of me in a tell block, then that application will try to interpret subroutine_name as one of its own commands (which won’t exist).