Recommended resources for learning Scripting

[Dan24192584954s]

Are there any books or other comprehensive resources you would recommend to learn indesign scripting?

Thanks!

[Steve Werner]

Both from Creative Pro:

JavaScript for InDesign, 2nd Edition and GREP in InDesign

https://creativepro.com/product-category/book/

[Dan24192584954s]

Thank you!

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Is there anything (yet) that covers UXP as a separate approach?

[Brito Haroldo]

in addition to those mentioned by @Steve Werner  these here are my bets:

Grokking Algorithms: An illustrated guide for programmers and other curious people by Aditya Bhargava;

InDesign CS5 Automation Using XML & JavaScript de Grant Gamble;

InDesign automatisieren: Keine Angst vor Skripting, GREP & Co. by Gregor Fellenz.

[Loic.Aigon]

Fellows here gave great input. But being that you are a noobie, you may want to consider focusing on UXP Scripting. ExtendScript while not immediately threatened will be at some point replaced by UXP Scripting. Don't get me wrong, ExtendScript is fine but you may have an opportunity to start on something new and not having to learn things twice 😉

FWIW

[m1b]

To add to what Loic said, think of ExtendScript as Javascript from 1999, whereas UXP is modern Javascript. The Indesign scripting API will be a little bit different in some cases for UXP. Also UXP for Indesign is quite new and lacking much of the expected functionality at this stage.

- Mark

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

That's kind of where I'm at. I use only a few scripts I've been provided and have never tried to write my own for ID. I have substantial background (VBA, HTML/CSS, some JavaScript, some niche scripting tools) but if I'm going to ramp up on ID, I'd just as soon start with the new model instead of learn older stuff and then have to evolve.

Hence my question about a good resource. I've peeked at the samples and online stuff and a tutorial ramp would be a nice thing to have...

[Loic.Aigon]

UXP Resource are quite new and limited at the time but the main piece canbe found here (for ID):

https://developer.adobe.com/indesign/uxp/guides/

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Given that there seem to be endless writers on these topics who can produce new and updated tomes more or less simultaneously with releases, I thought someone might have written a primer already.

But then... one of my most prized possessions is a copy of the absolutely massive "Mastering Jazz" — an exhaustive reference and learning guide for a legendary software suite that not only was never released, but has never been proven to have reached any final form. 🙂

[Loic.Aigon]

an exhaustive reference and learning guide for a legendary software suite that not only was never released, but has never been proven to have reached any final form. 🙂

By @James Gifford—NitroPress

🤔

[Pickory]

Apparently UXP is the next thing for scripting InDesign. ExtendScript is going to be around for quite some time. ( i hope )

https://github.com/topics/uxp

P.

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Article about UXP with InDesign ( the current state ) :

Getting Started with IDJS (InDesign UXP Scripting Format)
Marc Autret, January 11, 2023

https://indiscripts.com/post/2023/01/getting-started-with-idjs-indesign-uxp-scripting-format

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )