applescript_network_operations.md•3.94 kB
# AppleScript: Network Operations
This document demonstrates how to perform network operations like downloading files, fetching web content, and working with network services using AppleScript.
## Downloading Files with curl
```applescript
on downloadWithCurl(downloadUrl, savePath)
-- Ensure URL has proper prefix
if downloadUrl does not start with "http://" and downloadUrl does not start with "https://" then
set downloadUrl to "https://" & downloadUrl
end if
-- If no save path provided, use Downloads folder
if savePath is missing value or savePath is "" then
set fileName to last text item of downloadUrl delimited by "/"
if fileName is "" or fileName contains "?" then
set fileName to "downloaded_file"
end if
set downloadsFolder to POSIX path of (path to downloads folder)
set savePath to downloadsFolder & fileName
end if
-- Download the file with curl
set curlCmd to "curl -sSL -o " & quoted form of savePath & " " & quoted form of downloadUrl
try
do shell script curlCmd
-- Get file size
set fileSize to do shell script "ls -l " & quoted form of savePath & " | awk '{print $5}'"
return "Successfully downloaded to: " & savePath & " (" & fileSize & " bytes)"
on error errMsg
return "Error downloading: " & errMsg
end try
end downloadWithCurl
-- Usage example
downloadWithCurl("https://example.com/sample.pdf", "")
```
## Fetching Web Content (Text/API)
```applescript
on fetchWebContent(theUrl)
-- Ensure URL has proper prefix
if theUrl does not start with "http://" and theUrl does not start with "https://" then
set theUrl to "https://" & theUrl
end if
try
-- Use curl to fetch text content
set curlCmd to "curl -sSL " & quoted form of theUrl
set webContent to do shell script curlCmd
return webContent
on error errMsg
return "Error fetching content: " & errMsg
end try
end fetchWebContent
-- Usage example (get weather data from an API)
set weatherJSON to fetchWebContent("https://api.weather.gov/points/39.7456,-97.0892")
```
## Making POST Requests
```applescript
on postToWebService(apiUrl, jsonData)
-- Create the curl command for a POST request with JSON
set curlCmd to "curl -sSL -X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d " & ¬
quoted form of jsonData & " " & quoted form of apiUrl
try
set apiResponse to do shell script curlCmd
return apiResponse
on error errMsg
return "Error making POST request: " & errMsg
end try
end postToWebService
-- Usage example
set userData to "{\"name\":\"John Doe\",\"email\":\"john@example.com\"}"
postToWebService("https://api.example.com/users", userData)
```
## Checking Network Connection
```applescript
on checkNetworkConnection()
try
-- Ping Google's DNS to check connection (with 2 second timeout)
do shell script "ping -c 1 -W 2 8.8.8.8 >/dev/null 2>&1"
return true
on error
return false
end try
end checkNetworkConnection
if checkNetworkConnection() then
display dialog "Internet connection is active"
else
display dialog "No internet connection available" buttons {"OK"} default button 1 with icon stop
end if
```
## Common Use Cases
- Downloading files and resources for local processing
- Fetching data from web APIs and services
- Interacting with web applications programmatically
- Automating web-based workflows
- Checking network status before performing operations
- Backing up online content to local storage
## Notes and Limitations
- These operations require active internet connectivity
- For HTTPS URLs, proper certificates must be in place
- Some network operations may require specific permissions or entitlements
- Large downloads should provide progress feedback in production scripts
- For complex HTTP operations, using curl with advanced parameters is recommended
- Network timeouts should be handled gracefully in production scripts
