Automator memory leak workaround for multi-file processing

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Level 4

1,175 points

Automator memory leak workaround for multi-file processing

I encountered an issue similar to the one described here: Automator Lag - Apple Community.

I restructured my Automator workflow in a way that I believe avoids a possible memory leak. The workaround is to call an embedded workflow which processes a single file from loop implemented in AppleScript (see example below).

- Pie Lover

AppleScript multi-file loop

on run {input, parameters}
	
	set workflowpath to "/Users/admin/Pictures/Apply sRGB Profile to Images.workflow"
	set qtdworkflowpath to quoted form of (POSIX path of workflowpath)
	
	set theseImageFiles to input
	
	repeat with i from 1 to the count of theseImageFiles
		set thisImageFile to item i of theseImageFiles
		set qtdthisImageFile to quoted form of (POSIX path of thisImageFile)
		set command to "/usr/bin/automator -i " & qtdthisImageFile & " " & qtdworkflowpath
		set output to do shell script command
		
	end repeat
	
end run

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini (2018)

Posted on Jan 4, 2025 5:16 PM

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Answer 1

BlueberryLover Author

Level 4

1,175 points

Jan 5, 2025 6:54 AM in response to BlueberryLover

Below is a slightly modified version which avoids specifying the username in the workflow path.

- Pie Lover

Make use of shell expansion of "~"

on run {input, parameters}
	
	set workflowpath to do shell script "echo ~/Pictures/Apply sRGB Profile to Images.workflow"
	set qtdworkflowpath to quoted form of (POSIX path of workflowpath)
	
	set theseImageFiles to input
	
	repeat with i from 1 to the count of theseImageFiles
		set thisImageFile to item i of theseImageFiles
		set qtdthisImageFile to quoted form of (POSIX path of thisImageFile)
		set command to "/usr/bin/automator -i " & qtdthisImageFile & " " & qtdworkflowpath
		set output to do shell script command
		
	end repeat
	
end run

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Answer 2

BlueberryLover Author

Level 4

1,175 points

Jan 6, 2025 6:15 AM in response to BlueberryLover

A slightly more compact version ...

on run {input, parameters}
	
	set workflowpath to do shell script "echo ~/Pictures/Apply sRGB Profile to Images.workflow"
	set qtdworkflowpath to quoted form of (POSIX path of workflowpath)
	
	repeat with thisImageFile in input
		set qtdthisImageFile to quoted form of (POSIX path of thisImageFile)
		set command to "/usr/bin/automator -i " & qtdthisImageFile & " " & qtdworkflowpath
		set output to do shell script command
	end repeat
	
end run

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Automator memory leak workaround for multi-file processing