Make of this what you will as far as the future of AppleScript and Automator is concerned: Sal Soghoian’s position as product manager of Automation Technologies at Apple has been terminated, after nearly 20 years at the company.
AppleScript is a scripting language created by Apple Inc. and built into the Classic Mac OS since System 7 and into all versions of macOS. Automator is an application developed by Apple for OS X that implements point-and-click (or drag and drop) creation of workflows for automating repetitive tasks into batches for quicker alteration,
Soghoian announced this in a note on his website and in public at the MacTech Conference in LA yesterday. He said: “I joined Apple in January of 1997, almost twenty years ago, because of my profound belief that “the power of the computer should reside in the hands of the one using it.” That credo remains my truth to this day. Recently, I was informed that my position as Product Manager of Automation Technologies was eliminated for business reasons. Consequently, I am no longer employed by Apple Inc. But, I still believe my credo to be as true today as ever.”
Soghoian says the best thing to do for those concerned is to direct any questions or concerns to Apple. He writes: “If user automation technologies are important to you, then now is the time for all good men and women to reach out, speak up and ask questions. The macOS user automation technologies include: UNIX CLI (shell, python, ruby, perl), System Services, Apple Events (JavaScript, AppleScript, AppleScriptObj-C, Scripting Bridge), Automator, Apple Configurator (AppleScript, Automator), and Application scripting support in Photos, iWork, Finder, Mail, and other Apple applications.”
