calling backup app from script

jmb · 03-20-2003, 12:08 PM

Sorry for the double-post, but I originally put this in the Applications forum rather than over here, where it is more appropriate...

----------

Hi,

I am in the midst of setting up a backup routine, and have a question about scriting the launch of an app. I am interested in using Data Backup X (yes, I'm familiar with Deja Vu, Psync, etc. and, for a variety of reasons, I would like to give this a go with Data Backup X). The problem with this app is that it only runs sheduled backups if the app is running. Pretty lame. I was thinking, however, that I could just write a small script to launch the app, then run it via cron say 5 minutes before the scheduled backup. The app will actually quit itself if you don't

Although I can get AppleScript to do this, I'd like to do it completely in the background.

Code:

tell application "Data Backup X"
activate
end tell

I saved this as an app, and it works. However, the AppleScript comes to the front when it is run, which could be disruptive to my workflow. I've shut off the splash screen at startup, etc., but it still pops to the front.

What I'd like is a simple scripting solution that would: (1) not come to the front as it runs, and (2) keep the launching/launched application in the background the entire time, prefereably hidden. It seems like this should be possible, but I don't know how to do it. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially if this will require some sort of shell script, as I'm completely clueless when it comes to that.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to walk me through this.

--jmb

03-20-2003, 12:08 PM	#1
jmb Triple-A Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 92	calling backup app from script Sorry for the double-post, but I originally put this in the Applications forum rather than over here, where it is more appropriate... ---------- Hi, I am in the midst of setting up a backup routine, and have a question about scriting the launch of an app. I am interested in using Data Backup X (yes, I'm familiar with Deja Vu, Psync, etc. and, for a variety of reasons, I would like to give this a go with Data Backup X). The problem with this app is that it only runs sheduled backups if the app is running. Pretty lame. I was thinking, however, that I could just write a small script to launch the app, then run it via cron say 5 minutes before the scheduled backup. The app will actually quit itself if you don't Although I can get AppleScript to do this, I'd like to do it completely in the background. Code: tell application "Data Backup X" activate end tell I saved this as an app, and it works. However, the AppleScript comes to the front when it is run, which could be disruptive to my workflow. I've shut off the splash screen at startup, etc., but it still pops to the front. What I'd like is a simple scripting solution that would: (1) not come to the front as it runs, and (2) keep the launching/launched application in the background the entire time, prefereably hidden. It seems like this should be possible, but I don't know how to do it. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially if this will require some sort of shell script, as I'm completely clueless when it comes to that. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to walk me through this. --jmb Last edited by jmb; 03-20-2003 at 12:10 PM.