For Number 3: Since two releases there is Javascript as an alternative AppleScript: https://developer.apple.com/library/content/releasenotes/InterapplicationCo

For Number 3: Since two releases there is Javascript as an alternative AppleScript: https://developer.apple.com/library/content/releasenotes/InterapplicationCommunication/RN-JavaScriptForAutomation/Articles/OSX10-10.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014508-CH109-SW1 https://developer.apple.com/library/content/releasenotes/Int... There is one gotcha - filtering of Applescript objects is not done natively but with a custom fluent interface and some query syntax but in its whole it's pretty much JS.