OS 10.11.5
Script Editor Version 2.8.1 (183.1)
AppleScript 2.5
Hi All: (This may get lengthy, but I always like to supply as much pertinent info as I can.)
So, here’s the scoop.
I have one folder containing about 61 episodes of a particular “old time” radio (OTR) program. Each program file’s name starts with the date it aired as opposed to episode number, in case I am missing some they still are in order. So, for example, one name is “1942-06-08 Washington Woman Spy”.
In applescript I have written a little script to put all the file names into an array/list.
Here’s the goal: I want to put the names into a plain text file named “Programs”. However, I’ want a blank line each time the year changes. in other words.
Other than creating a CSV(sp?) file to import into a spreadsheet and then do a sorting script to accomplish my goal, I do not know how to check only the first 4 characters of the items using only Applescript. I tried a lot of the parsing advise in the forums, Applescript sites, and other methods but to no avail.
Would anybody care to start me on the right track please?
assuming var_Episodes contains a list of file names like
property var_Episodes : {"1942-09-14 Spy Submarine Logansport", "1942-12-14 German Spies", "1945-02-14 The Nazi Radio Station"}
try this, I used descriptive variable names so the script is supposed to be self-explanatory
set programsFile to (path to desktop as text) & "Programs.txt"
-- set latest year to the year of the first item
set latestYear to text 1 thru 4 of item 1 of var_Episodes
try
set fileDescriptor to open for access file programsFile with write permission
repeat with anEpisode in var_Episodes
set currentEpisode to contents of anEpisode
set currentYear to text 1 thru 4 of currentEpisode
if currentYear is not latestYear then
-- if there is a new year insert a new line
set currentEpisode to return & currentEpisode
set lastestYear to currentYear
end if
write currentEpisode & return to fileDescriptor
end repeat
close access fileDescriptor
on error
try
close access file programsFile
end try
end try
Thank you StefanK, i’ll give it a shot. If any problems I cannot handle I’ll post into this thread.
My process in creating variables and such come from my programming mainframe 'puters from about 1975 to 2001. For instance I am placing 'var_" in front of a variable name, ‘path_’ for path variables, etc. for simplicity (in my eyes.)
Anyway, your answer will help with another script I started working on.in iTunes I would assign track numbers to the tracks in playlist or album ‘Counterspy’ and then move that date at the beginning of each track name to the comment field as “Aired: 1942-09-14” or whatever the date is, and of course, remove the initial first space in the track name.