applescript remove duplicate list items

Dave Balderstone <dave.RemoveThis@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote:

> In article <2008042815593316807-phantom@examplecom>, Phantom
> <phantom.RemoveThis@example.com> wrote:
>
> > I'm wondering if anyone here knows of an elegant way to eliminate
> > duplicate values from an applescript list.
> >
> > e.g. taking this list:
> > {"apple", "orange", "apple", "watermelon", "orange"}
> >
> > and returning
> > {"apple", "orange", "watermelon"}
> >
> >
> > not a big priority, but it would help with one of my scripts. could't
> > find a answer with google, unfortunately, sorry to bother if this comes
> > up a lot.
> >
> > thanks guys.
>
> Try this:
>
> set list1 to {"apple", "orange", "apple", "watermelon", "orange"}
> set list2 to {"apple", "orange", "watermelon"}
> set list3 to {}
>
> repeat with x from 1 to count of items of list1
> set n to item x of list1
> if n is in list2 and n is not in list3 then set end of list3 to n
> end repeat
>
> return list3

Sorry Dave but I've modified your code because I think that the original
post relates to a situation where there is only one list. If this is the
case then you need:

on run
set list1 to {"apple", "orange", "apple", "watermelon", "orange"}
set list2 to {}

repeat with x from 1 to count of items of list1
set n to item x of list1
if n is not in list2 then set end of list2 to n
end repeat

return list2
end run
 >> Stay informed about: applescript remove duplicate list items 

In article <1ig4vvh.mpbdjr1o7dyniN%simon@ottersoftwaredotcom.invalid>,
Simon Wolf <simon.RemoveThis@ottersoftwaredotcom.invalid> wrote:

> Sorry Dave but I've modified your code because I think that the original
> post relates to a situation where there is only one list. If this is the
> case then you need:

Don't be sorry! I think you're right... I misread the original post.

Now, what if the OP needs to compare THREE lists?

<grin>

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 >> Stay informed about: applescript remove duplicate list items 

On 2008-04-28 16:56:07 -0700, simon DeleteThis @ottersoftwaredotcom.invalid (Simon
Wolf) said:

> Dave Balderstone <dave DeleteThis @N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote:
>
>> In article <2008042815593316807-phantom@examplecom>, Phantom
>> <phantom DeleteThis @example.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I'm wondering if anyone here knows of an elegant way to eliminate
>>> duplicate values from an applescript list.
>>>
>>> e.g. taking this list:
>>> {"apple", "orange", "apple", "watermelon", "orange"}
>>>
>>> and returning
>>> {"apple", "orange", "watermelon"}
>>>
>>>
>>> not a big priority, but it would help with one of my scripts. could't
>>> find a answer with google, unfortunately, sorry to bother if this comes
>>> up a lot.
>>>
>>> thanks guys.
>>
>> Try this:
>>
>> set list1 to {"apple", "orange", "apple", "watermelon", "orange"}
>> set list2 to {"apple", "orange", "watermelon"}
>> set list3 to {}
>>
>> repeat with x from 1 to count of items of list1
>> set n to item x of list1
>> if n is in list2 and n is not in list3 then set end of list3 to n
>> end repeat
>>
>> return list3
>
> Sorry Dave but I've modified your code because I think that the original
> post relates to a situation where there is only one list. If this is the
> case then you need:
>
> on run
> set list1 to {"apple", "orange", "apple", "watermelon", "orange"}
> set list2 to {}
>
> repeat with x from 1 to count of items of list1
> set n to item x of list1
> if n is not in list2 then set end of list2 to n
> end repeat
>
> return list2
> end run

you're right on the mark... just one list. I figured there might have
been some list math possible, but this works great, too. thanks!
P.
 >> Stay informed about: applescript remove duplicate list items