Xcode 4.2 applescript - still broken?

Question

I'd like to use AppleScript to automate some of my common build tasks. But it appears under Xcode 4.2, scripting is so badly broken as to be useless. I cannot even run a minimal script such as the following (with Xcode running and my project loaded):

tell application "Xcode"
   build project of active project document
end tell

This gives me the error "missing value". The scripting dictionary supplied is opaque to say the least. Nothing I have found on the Developer site helps, and searching for answers elsewhere indicates I am not the only frustrated one. Does Apple not want us to use AppleScript with Xcode 4? I'm using 4.2 as I don't want to upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion yet.

UPDATE: specific questions are 1) how do I perform simple AppleScripting with Xcode 4 and 2) where is this documented?

I spent 4 days trying to script 4.2 a few months ago; with no real results; however... this question may not meet the SO guidelines for not being a "rant disguised" unless you rephrase it around your specific scripting need. See the faq: stackoverflow.com/faq#dontask — Chris Trahey
What is the exact error? Does it only say "missing value"? Thanks :) — pasawaya
My specific scripting need at present is simply to get something - anything - running with Xcode 4. Once I have a toe in the door I will probably be able to take it from there. And yes, "missing value" is the sum total of the response. — David G

Michel Müller Michel Müller · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-08T05:09:48

Here is what I use to build & run on an attached iPhone. Even if an application does not support scripting, you can always just use menu commands. It's not what you want for a production environment but this is just supposed to be a little helper app of yours, right?

(* compile and let it run on iPhone *)
enabledGUIScripting(true)
activate application "Xcode"
tell application "System Events"
    tell process "Xcode"
        click menu item "Run" of menu 1 of menu bar item "Product" of menu bar 1
    end tell
end tell

on enabledGUIScripting(switch)
    tell application "System Events"
        activate -- brings System Events authentication dialog to front
        set UI elements enabled to switch
        return UI elements enabled
    end tell
end enabledGUIScripting

Xcode 4.2 applescript - still broken?

2 Answers