Whats the difference between a “Plain AppleScript” and a “Universal Binary” and should I care?
By “Plain AppleScript” I mean an AppleScript whose file format is “Compiled” or “Application”. The file format of a “Universal Binary” is either “Script Bundle” or “Application Bundle”. Both kinds of AppleScripts will run on PowerPC and Intel Macs. However, an Intel Mac will use Rosetta to interpret the “Plain AppleScript”–which renders less than optimum performance–whereas a “Universal Binary” is able to run natively and well within the parameters of performance awesomeness on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. Here is the Wikipedia entry for universal binary. Most of the AppleScripts for download are “Plain AppleScripts”. However, as of March 2008, my intention is to post only “Universal Binary” formats. There are other advantages to using bundles as well. A bundle can include additional files in its “Resources” folder such as text and .PDF docs, scripting libraries, media files, and so on.
