read a file in an applescript.

[dougyitbos]

Hi folks..
I'm trying to read a file in an applescript.


I've tried a number of different syntax options.
The most simple is:

read theTextFile

I get the following error:
Expected end of line, etc. but found identifier.


But this is the most basic syntax I've found.
Any ideas?

[cwtnospam]

Try it this way:

tell application "TextEdit"
	set x to posix file "/path/to/theTextFile.txt" as alias
	open x
	set file_text to text of document 1
end tell

[mark hunte]

I Thing the OP wants to read the file, rather than open it.

set x to posix file "/path/to/theTextFile.txt" as alias
read x

or

read alias "Macintosh HD:path:to:theTextFile.txt"

[dougyitbos]

No good.

Same thing.
Won’t compile.
Says:
Expected end of line, etc. but found class name.

And highlights whatever follows "read"

ugh... weird.

[cwtnospam]

Is your "read x" line inside a tell?

[tw]

set fp to open for access <the filepath>
set theFileContents to read fp
close access fp

[mark hunte]

I Think cwtnospam is right the error is most likely in the rest of the script.
Can you let use see all the script as you are doing it.

Tw, the open for access is for writing to the file AFAIK, and is not needed to just read a file.
But not really knowing what the OP wants to really do who knows if they will need it?

[tw]

Quote: Originally Posted by mark hunte Tw, the open for access is for writing to the file AFAIK, and is not needed to just read a file. But not really knowing what the OP wants to really do who knows if they will need it?

actually, open for access is for either reading or writing (read the standard additions scripting dictionary). my only other thought, though, is that maybe he's not quoting the or parenthesizing the file name correctly?