SenseTalk
Encyclopedia
SenseTalk is an English-like scripting language
derived from the HyperTalk
language used in HyperCard
. SenseTalk was originally developed as the scripting language within the HyperSense multimedia authoring application on the NeXTStep
and OpenStep
platforms. SenseTalk resurfaced in 2002 as the scripting language in eggPlant
, the first commercial Mac OS X
and cross-platform GUI
testing application.
family (derived from HyperTalk) with more advanced programming language extensions. There are a number of features that distinguish SenseTalk from other xTalk languages. One of these is the inclusion of both lists and property list
s as first class data structures. Another is the inclusion of objects. SenseTalk treats any script or property list as an object, encapsulating both properties and behaviors. SenseTalk does not include the concept of object classes, but instead treats every object equally. Any object can inherit behavior from any other object or objects (multiple inheritance is supported).
Scripting language
A scripting language, script language, or extension language is a programming language that allows control of one or more applications. "Scripts" are distinct from the core code of the application, as they are usually written in a different language and are often created or at least modified by the...
derived from the HyperTalk
HyperTalk
HyperTalk is a high-level, procedural programming language created in 1987 by Dan Winkler and used in conjunction with Apple Computer's HyperCard hypermedia program by Bill Atkinson. The main target audience of HyperTalk was beginning programmers, hence HyperTalk programmers were usually called...
language used in HyperCard
HyperCard
HyperCard is an application program created by Bill Atkinson for Apple Computer, Inc. that was among the first successful hypermedia systems before the World Wide Web. It combines database capabilities with a graphical, flexible, user-modifiable interface. HyperCard also features HyperTalk, written...
. SenseTalk was originally developed as the scripting language within the HyperSense multimedia authoring application on the NeXTStep
NEXTSTEP
NeXTSTEP was the object-oriented, multitasking operating system developed by NeXT Computer to run on its range of proprietary workstation computers, such as the NeXTcube...
and OpenStep
OpenStep
OpenStep was an object-oriented application programming interface specification for an object-oriented operating system that used a non-NeXTSTEP operating system as its core, principally developed by NeXT with Sun Microsystems. OPENSTEP was a specific implementation of the OpenStep API developed...
platforms. SenseTalk resurfaced in 2002 as the scripting language in eggPlant
Eggplant (GUI testing tool)
Eggplant is a black-box GUI test automation tool, originally developed by Redstone Software starting in 2002. Redstone was acquired in 2008 by a UK-based company called TestPlant....
, the first commercial Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and cross-platform GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
testing application.
Description
SenseTalk is a very English-like scripting language in the xTalkXTalk
xTalk is a loosely defined family of scripting languages. The father of all xTalk languages is HyperTalk, the language used by Apple's HyperCard environment...
family (derived from HyperTalk) with more advanced programming language extensions. There are a number of features that distinguish SenseTalk from other xTalk languages. One of these is the inclusion of both lists and property list
Property list
In the Mac OS X, iOS, NeXTSTEP, and GNUstep programming frameworks, property list files are files that store serialized objects. Property list files use the filename extension .plist, and thus are often referred to as p-list files....
s as first class data structures. Another is the inclusion of objects. SenseTalk treats any script or property list as an object, encapsulating both properties and behaviors. SenseTalk does not include the concept of object classes, but instead treats every object equally. Any object can inherit behavior from any other object or objects (multiple inheritance is supported).