Question

file copy using AppleScript upon inserting a USB Flash Drive

Asked by: rastafaray

i'd like to see if it is possible w/sample AppleScript to initiate a HD to USB Flash Drive file copy.   e.g., as soon as the USB flash drive is inserted and mounted, the AppleScript copies a predefined file(s) or folders from HD to the USB Flash drive.

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Asked On
2007-06-05 at 16:28:50ID22615194
Tags

applescript

,

copy

,

file

,

AppleScript

Topic

Apple Programming

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
9

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Answers

 

by: eborriPosted on 2007-06-06 at 14:16:41ID: 19228644

It is possible.

Copy the following script; paste it into a ScriptEditor new script, customize it and save it as application enabling the option "Stay Open" checked.

Run the application and, any time you will insert the disk you indicated, the file/folder chosen will be copied replacing the previous versions.

IMPORTANT: I told "Replacing the previous version"! Be careful!!!
If the version in the destination drive is the most updated, quit this program before inserting the disk, OK????

Here is the script; customize it where you find these code lines (following the comments before these lines):

set SourceFile to "Macintosh HD:sample file"
set SourceFolder to "Macintosh HD:sample folder:"
set Destination to "Removable Disk:"


---------------------------------------------------------
on run
      global myError
      global TriedToCopy
      
      set myError to "" -- this variable will be empty in case there is no errors
      set TriedToCopy to "" -- this variable will be empty in case the file was not copied. It is used to avoid to continuously copy the file on the destination drive.
end run

on idle
      
      
      global myError
      global TriedToCopy
      
      
      (*Write in the next line the name of the file to be copied.
      Example, the next line will look like:
      set SourceFile to "Macintosh HD:Users:Enzo:Documents:My presentation.indd"
      *)
      set SourceFile to "Macintosh HD:sample file"
      
      (*Write in the next line the name of the folder to be copied.
      Example, the next line will look like:
      set SourceFolder to "Macintosh HD:Users:Enzo:Documents:"
      NOTE: remember to put a colon (:) after the name of the folder!!!
      *)
      set SourceFolder to "Macintosh HD:sample folder:"
      
      
      (*Write in the next line the name of the drive to copy onto.
      Example, the next line will look like:
      set Destination to "BackUp Drive:"
      NOTE: remember to put a colon (:) after the name of the drive (or the folder in case you indicate a folder)!!!
      *)
      set Destination to "Removable Disk:"
      
      
      (* MyTestFile must contain the name of the file used to test the presence of the drive to copy the file onto.
      The file will be created in the same destination of the file and folder to be copied to.
      The file's name must be written this way: Drive_Name:Test_File_name
      Example: "TestFile" or, also, "TestFile.txt". The extension is not needed.*)
      set MyTestFile to Destination & "DeleteMe"
      
      
      tell application "Finder"
            try -- I use the "Try" method to verify the drive presence. if fail, the drive is not present.
                  (*I try creating a file called "TestFile123.txt" If I can create it, the drive is present and there is no error.*)
                  open for access file MyTestFile without write permission
                  
                  (*If I created the file, it is open and I cannot remove the drive uless I close the file, so& I close the file*)
                  close access file MyTestFile
                  set myError to ""
                  
            on error theError
                  set myError to theError
                  
                  (*in case there was an error, and this mean the drive is not present, I use a variable to store the error.
                  I don't need to know wich error is; this is enough to know I cannot access this drive.*)
            end try
            
            if myError ` "" then
                  set TriedToCopy to ""
            else
                  if TriedToCopy = "" then
                        set TriedToCopy to "Tried" -- So I don't copy the files more than once
                        
                        tell application "Finder"
                              
                              (*the following six (6) lines of code are used to copy a folder;
                  if unused, disable them placing two "minus sign" at the beginning of each line*)
                              try
                                    move folder SourceFolder to Destination with replacing
                              on error CopyingError
                                    beep
                                    display dialog CopyingError with icon 0 with title "Cannot copy automatically!" giving up after 30
                              end try
                              
                              (*the following six (6) lines of code are used to copy a single file;
                  if unused, disable them placing two "minus sign" at the beginning of each line*)
                              try
                                    move file SourceFile to Destination with replacing
                              on error CopyingError
                                    beep
                                    display dialog CopyingError with icon 0 with title "Cannot copy automatically!" giving up after 30
                              end try
                        end tell
                  end if
            end if
      end tell
      
      return 1 -- this way, it check for disk presence every 1 second; change this value for different timing.
end idle
---------------------------------------------------------

 

by: eborriPosted on 2007-06-06 at 14:22:58ID: 19228681

Note: pasting the script in Script Editor you may get an error.

A "Not equal" sign (`) was changed while pasting here.

When in Script Editor you will get an error, part of the following line will be hilighted:

if myError ` "" then

It is close to the end of the program.
Well, to fix the problem, change the sign ` with a "Not equal" sign (you can get it pressing "Alt =").

Let me know if there's any problem! :-)

Best regards
Enzo Borri

 

by: rastafarayPosted on 2007-06-06 at 18:51:27ID: 19229907

thank you eborri
i'll try this

 

by: eborriPosted on 2007-06-08 at 12:19:12ID: 19244837

You're welcome! :-)))

Let me know if it works fine for you. :-)
Now, that you have the main program, you can enhance it to save a copy of the source... compressed! :-)
If I'll find the time I'll do it, but is not a promise... :-)))

Ciao
Enzo

 

by: rastafarayPosted on 2007-06-08 at 21:43:40ID: 19247299

for the time being the mac has gone bye-bye! :) as soon as it is backup and runnin, will most def do.

cheers enzo.

 

by: eborriPosted on 2007-10-17 at 10:48:27ID: 20095475

I agree, Venabili.
I think the solution posted was the correct one, as I imagine reading the answers...

Kind regards
Enzo Borri

 

by: rastafarayPosted on 2007-10-17 at 16:59:51ID: 20097917

yep

 

by: Computer101Posted on 2007-10-21 at 19:43:47ID: 20120429

Forced accept.

Computer101
EE Admin

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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