Script checklist

To keep the project organized and easy to maintain, there are a few rules that should be followed when writing scripts. Here’s a checklist to ensure you follow them.

Don’t worry about getting things perfect, though. When you add your script, we’ll review everything and help you fix any issues should they arise.

1. Include a PluginDef

All scripts must have at least some minimal details in their PluginDef:

• finaleplugin.Author
• finaleplugin.Version (beta versions OK)
• finaleplugin.RevisionNotes (if there are revisions and/or bug fixes)
• Name, undo text, and description (in the return statement)

Of course, the more complete the PluginDef, the better. This info is also used to generate the script’s documentation, and it’s what’s shown to users when the download the script.

2. Use a consistent file name

Let’s follow a unified syntax for the file name. Use snake case:

✓ articulation_delete_from_rests.lua

✖ articulationDeleteFromRests.lua

✖ articulationdeletefromrests.lua

✖ articulation-delete-from-rests.lua

✖ articulation_Delete_From_Rests.lua

Each word should take things from general to specific. So anything dealing with articulations should start with “articulations”. Anything with page layout should start with “layout”. See the JW Lua docs for Category Tags to find an good starting place.

3. Follow the style guide

There are two ways to do this:

1. Read through the style guide and manually follow it
2. Use the Lua Linter plugin for VS Code to automatically apply the style guide