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Glossary: Sdef

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An sdef (pronounced “ess-deaf”, and standing for “scripting definition”) is a dictionary format originally introduced in Tiger (Mac OS X 10.4). In certain ways, it allows a dictionary to be more expressive, accurate, and informative than the old format, called an 'aete'.

Regardless of how an application provides its dictionary, Script Debugger translates the dictionary into sdef format as the basis of its presentation of dictionary information and for caching purposes.

Script Debugger can also open an sdef file directly, and will present its dictionary window as if you had opened a scriptable application. This is intended as an aid if you’re developing or editing an sdef.

If you use an application with an 'aete' dictionary that allows the dictionary to be extended through plug-ins (such as QuarkXPress or InDesign), read the discussion of Script Debugger’s dictionary caching mechanism.



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Glossary: Scripting Addition Glossary: Tell Context
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