Parsing and merging plist files

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Robin - 14 Jul 2004 08:59 GMT

been googling around for this but I'm not running into what I need:

I have accounts on 4 macs running OSX, in 4 separate physical
locations, so I'm looking to sync things like mail rules, ical files
and bookmarks (Safari, Omniweb).

The strategy I'm aiming to adopt is using cron perl job (or jobs) to
check for changes, merging and storing a central copy of the files in
question on a central 24/7 server as required.

With the exception of Omniweb bookmarks, everything else is in a kind
of plist. Ages ago I threw together a hack for iCal files that does
work (sort of) and I've read about Mac::plist but am left with the
impression it's as quirky as my current iCal solution, so (yes I
finally got to the question I want to ask):

Has anyone been here? Tips? Warnings? Encouragement?
Is there are more reliable parser than Mac::plist?

TIA

Robin

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_brian_d_foy - 14 Jul 2004 20:32 GMT

> With the exception of Omniweb bookmarks, everything else is in a kind
> of plist. Ages ago I threw together a hack for iCal files that does
> work (sort of) and I've read about Mac::plist but am left with the
> impression it's as quirky as my current iCal solution

Quirky? Are you talking about Mac::PropertyList? what would
you like me to fix?

> Is there are more reliable parser than Mac::plist?

If you have an example where Mac::PropertyList fails, please
send it to me so I can fix the module. :)

Signature

brian d foy, comdog@panix.com

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Robin - 15 Jul 2004 00:18 GMT

Truth be told I have not tried Mac:: PropertyList, but wanted to see
what options there were available for what I need to do, rather than
write it off per se. Though I believe I came across something on the
web written by you (as yet un-refindable) saying words to the effect it
works for most plists, implying there are some that fail.

Robin

>> With the exception of Omniweb bookmarks, everything else is in a kind
>> of plist. Ages ago I threw together a hack for iCal files that does
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> If you have an example where Mac::PropertyList fails, please
> send it to me so I can fix the module. :)

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Adam - 15 Jul 2004 04:49 GMT

Robin,

Property lists come in two forms an older ASCII-based list and the newer XML
based format. It is possible the Mac::PropertyList module has problems with
the older format - that and it dies when it hits an empty tag.

Property List Information:
- /Developer/Documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/BPRuntimeConfig/index.html

Mac::PropertyList CPAN page:
- http://search.cpan.org/~bdfoy/Mac-PropertyList-0.51/lib/PropertyList.pm

I stand by my previous recommendation. _Use_ Open Directory! That is why it
is there.

> Truth be told I have not tried Mac:: PropertyList, but wanted to see
> what options there were available for what I need to do, rather than
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>> If you have an example where Mac::PropertyList fails, please
>> send it to me so I can fix the module. :)

Regards,
Adam

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Mac Forum / Programming / Perl / July 2004

Parsing and merging plist files