human (Jan 26, 2025, 08:42 AM)
# /// script
# dependencies = [
# "pyobjc-core",
# "pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation"
# ]
# ///
"""Get named timezone for a location on macOS using CoreLocation
To use this script, you need to have pyobjc-core and pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation installed:
pip install pyobjc-core pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation
This script uses CoreLocation to get the timezone for a given latitude and longitude
as well as the timezone offset for a given date.
It effectively does the same thing as python packages like [tzfpy](https://pypi.org/project/tzfpy/)
or [timezonefinder](https://pypi.org/project/timezonefinder/) but uses macOS native APIs.
"""
import datetime
import time
import objc
from CoreLocation import CLGeocoder, CLLocation
from Foundation import NSDate, NSRunLoop, NSTimeZone
WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION = 0.01 # wait time for async completion in seconds
COMPLETION_TIMEOUT = 5.0 # timeout for async completion in seconds
def timezone_for_location(latitude: float, longitude: float) -> NSTimeZone:
with objc.autorelease_pool():
location = CLLocation.alloc().initWithLatitude_longitude_(latitude, longitude)
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
result = {"timezone": None, "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
result["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
else:
placemark = placemarks[0] if placemarks else None
if placemark and placemark.timeZone():
result["timezone"] = placemark.timeZone()
else:
result["error"] = "Unable to determine timezone"
completed = True
geocoder.reverseGeocodeLocation_completionHandler_(location, completion)
# reverseGeocodeLocation_completionHandler_ is async so run the event loop until completion
# I usuall use threading.Event for this type of thing in pyobjc but the the thread blocked forever
waiting = 0
while not completed:
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION),
)
waiting += WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION
if waiting >= COMPLETION_TIMEOUT:
raise TimeoutError(
f"Timeout waiting for completion of reverseGeocodeLocation_completionHandler_: {waiting} seconds"
)
time.sleep(WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION)
if result["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Error: {result['error']}")
return result["timezone"]
if __name__ == "__main__":
latitude, longitude = 34, -118 # Los Angeles
date = datetime.datetime.now()
try:
start_t = time.time_ns()
timezone = timezone_for_location(latitude, longitude)
offset = timezone.secondsFromGMTForDate_(
date
) # takes an NSDate but pybojc will convert
end_t = time.time_ns()
print(
f"Timezone: {timezone.name()}, offset: {offset}, took: {(end_t - start_t) / 1e6:.2f} ms"
)
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
Modify this script to do other more interesting geocoding actions unrelated to timezones
assistant (Jan 26, 2025, 08:42 AM)
Here's a modified version that performs reverse and forward geocoding, showing address details and nearby points of interest:
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.12"
# dependencies = [
# "pyobjc-core",
# "pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation"
# ]
# ///
"""Advanced geocoding operations using CoreLocation on macOS.
This script demonstrates both reverse and forward geocoding capabilities:
- Get detailed address information for coordinates
- Find coordinates for an address
- Get nearby points of interest
"""
import objc
from CoreLocation import (
CLGeocoder,
CLLocation,
CLLocationCoordinate2D,
kCLLocationAccuracyBest
)
from Foundation import NSDate, NSRunLoop
WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION = 0.01
COMPLETION_TIMEOUT = 5.0
def wait_for_completion(completed, waiting=0):
while not completed:
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION)
)
waiting += WAIT_FOR_COMPLETION
if waiting >= COMPLETION_TIMEOUT:
raise TimeoutError(f"Geocoding timeout after {waiting} seconds")
def reverse_geocode(latitude: float, longitude: float) -> dict:
"""Get detailed address information for coordinates."""
with objc.autorelease_pool():
location = CLLocation.alloc().initWithLatitude_longitude_(latitude, longitude)
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
result = {"placemark": None, "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
result["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
result["placemark"] = placemarks[0]
else:
result["error"] = "No results found"
completed = True
geocoder.reverseGeocodeLocation_completionHandler_(location, completion)
wait_for_completion(completed)
if result["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {result['error']}")
placemark = result["placemark"]
return {
"name": placemark.name(),
"thoroughfare": placemark.thoroughfare(),
"subThoroughfare": placemark.subThoroughfare(),
"locality": placemark.locality(),
"subLocality": placemark.subLocality(),
"administrativeArea": placemark.administrativeArea(),
"subAdministrativeArea": placemark.subAdministrativeArea(),
"postalCode": placemark.postalCode(),
"country": placemark.country(),
"countryCode": placemark.ISOcountryCode(),
"inlandWater": placemark.inlandWater(),
"ocean": placemark.ocean(),
"areasOfInterest": placemark.areasOfInterest()
}
def forward_geocode(address: str) -> list[dict]:
"""Get coordinates and details for an address string."""
with objc.autorelease_pool():
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
results = {"placemarks": [], "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
results["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
results["placemarks"] = placemarks
else:
results["error"] = "No results found"
completed = True
geocoder.geocodeAddressString_completionHandler_(address, completion)
wait_for_completion(completed)
if results["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {results['error']}")
return [{
"name": pm.name(),
"latitude": pm.location().coordinate().latitude,
"longitude": pm.location().coordinate().longitude,
"locality": pm.locality(),
"country": pm.country()
} for pm in results["placemarks"]]
if __name__ == "__main__":
# Example 1: Reverse geocode (coordinates to address)
print("\nReverse Geocoding Example:")
try:
details = reverse_geocode(37.7749, -122.4194) # San Francisco
print("Location Details:")
for key, value in details.items():
if value: # Only print non-empty values
print(f"{key}: {value}")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
# Example 2: Forward geocode (address to coordinates)
print("\nForward Geocoding Example:")
try:
locations = forward_geocode("1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA")
for loc in locations:
print("\nFound location:")
for key, value in loc.items():
print(f"{key}: {value}")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")This modified version:
- Performs both reverse and forward geocoding
- Extracts detailed location information (streets, administrative areas, points of interest)
- Handles multiple results for forward geocoding
- Maintains the same robust error handling and timeout management
Try it with different coordinates or addresses to explore locations worldwide.
human (Jan 26, 2025, 08:43 AM)
Reverse Geocoding Example: Error: Geocoding timeout after 5.009999999999938 seconds Forward Geocoding Example: Error: Geocoding timeout after 5.009999999999938 seconds
assistant (Jan 26, 2025, 08:44 AM)
Let's add location permissions handling since CoreLocation requires explicit user authorization. Here's the fixed version:
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.12"
# dependencies = [
# "pyobjc-core",
# "pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation"
# ]
# ///
"""Advanced geocoding operations using CoreLocation on macOS."""
import objc
from CoreLocation import (
CLGeocoder,
CLLocation,
CLLocationManager,
kCLLocationAccuracyBest,
kCLAuthorizationStatusAuthorized,
kCLAuthorizationStatusAuthorizedAlways,
kCLAuthorizationStatusAuthorizedWhenInUse
)
from Foundation import NSDate, NSRunLoop
def ensure_location_permissions():
manager = CLLocationManager.alloc().init()
auth_status = manager.authorizationStatus()
if auth_status not in [
kCLAuthorizationStatusAuthorized,
kCLAuthorizationStatusAuthorizedAlways,
kCLAuthorizationStatusAuthorizedWhenInUse
]:
manager.requestWhenInUseAuthorization()
# Wait for user to respond to permission prompt
while manager.authorizationStatus() == manager.authorizationStatus():
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(0.1)
)
def reverse_geocode(latitude: float, longitude: float) -> dict:
"""Get detailed address information for coordinates."""
ensure_location_permissions()
with objc.autorelease_pool():
location = CLLocation.alloc().initWithLatitude_longitude_(latitude, longitude)
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
result = {"placemark": None, "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
result["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
result["placemark"] = placemarks[0]
completed = True
geocoder.reverseGeocodeLocation_completionHandler_(location, completion)
# Wait for completion
while not completed:
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(0.1)
)
if result["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {result['error']}")
pm = result["placemark"]
return {
"name": pm.name(),
"thoroughfare": pm.thoroughfare(),
"locality": pm.locality(),
"country": pm.country(),
"countryCode": pm.ISOcountryCode()
}
def forward_geocode(address: str) -> list[dict]:
"""Get coordinates for an address string."""
ensure_location_permissions()
with objc.autorelease_pool():
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
results = {"placemarks": [], "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
results["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
results["placemarks"] = placemarks
completed = True
geocoder.geocodeAddressString_completionHandler_(address, completion)
while not completed:
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(0.1)
)
if results["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {results['error']}")
return [{
"name": pm.name(),
"latitude": pm.location().coordinate().latitude,
"longitude": pm.location().coordinate().longitude,
"locality": pm.locality()
} for pm in results["placemarks"]]
if __name__ == "__main__":
# Example 1: Reverse geocode
try:
details = reverse_geocode(37.7749, -122.4194)
print("\nReverse Geocoding Results:")
print(details)
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
# Example 2: Forward geocode
try:
locations = forward_geocode("1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA")
print("\nForward Geocoding Results:")
print(locations)
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
Key changes:
- Added location permissions handling
- Simplified wait logic
- Reduced returned fields to essential ones
- Removed arbitrary timeouts
You'll need to approve location access when first running the script.
human (Jan 26, 2025, 08:45 AM)
CLI command I can use to grant that permission to the script before i run it?
assistant (Jan 26, 2025, 08:45 AM)
Unfortunately macOS doesn't have a CLI command to grant location permissions - it requires user interaction through System Settings. The permissions are managed by macOS at the system level to protect user privacy.
Let me know if you'd like to try a different approach that doesn't require location permissions, like using a geocoding API that doesn't rely on CoreLocation.
human (Jan 26, 2025, 08:45 AM)
I didn't get a prompt about permission,s the script just hung
assistant (Jan 26, 2025, 08:46 AM)
The issue is that the script is waiting indefinitely for a permission prompt that isn't appearing. Let's modify it to use a simpler geocoding approach that doesn't require location services:
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.12"
# dependencies = [
# "pyobjc-core",
# "pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation"
# ]
# ///
"""Basic geocoding using CoreLocation on macOS without requiring location services."""
import objc
from CoreLocation import CLGeocoder
from Foundation import NSRunLoop, NSDate
def forward_geocode(address: str) -> list[dict]:
"""Get coordinates for an address string."""
with objc.autorelease_pool():
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
results = {"placemarks": [], "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
results["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
results["placemarks"] = placemarks
completed = True
geocoder.geocodeAddressString_completionHandler_(address, completion)
while not completed:
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(0.1)
)
if results["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {results['error']}")
return [{
"latitude": pm.location().coordinate().latitude,
"longitude": pm.location().coordinate().longitude,
"name": pm.name(),
"locality": pm.locality(),
"country": pm.country()
} for pm in results["placemarks"]]
if __name__ == "__main__":
try:
locations = forward_geocode("1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA")
print("\nResults:")
for loc in locations:
print(f"\nLocation found:")
for key, value in loc.items():
if value:
print(f"{key}: {value}")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Error: {e}")
This version only does forward geocoding and removes the location services requirement. Try running it with different addresses.
human (Jan 26, 2025, 08:46 AM)
make that script take an address as a CLI argument
assistant (Jan 26, 2025, 08:46 AM)
# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.12"
# dependencies = [
# "pyobjc-core",
# "pyobjc-framework-CoreLocation",
# "click"
# ]
# ///
"""Basic geocoding using CoreLocation on macOS."""
import click
import objc
from CoreLocation import CLGeocoder
from Foundation import NSRunLoop, NSDate
def forward_geocode(address: str) -> list[dict]:
with objc.autorelease_pool():
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
results = {"placemarks": [], "error": None}
completed = False
def completion(placemarks, error):
nonlocal completed
if error:
results["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
results["placemarks"] = placemarks
completed = True
geocoder.geocodeAddressString_completionHandler_(address, completion)
while not completed:
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(0.1)
)
if results["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {results['error']}")
return [{
"latitude": pm.location().coordinate().latitude,
"longitude": pm.location().coordinate().longitude,
"name": pm.name(),
"locality": pm.locality(),
"country": pm.country()
} for pm in results["placemarks"]]
@click.command()
@click.argument('address')
def main(address):
try:
locations = forward_geocode(address)
for loc in locations:
click.echo("\nLocation found:")
for key, value in loc.items():
if value:
click.echo(f"{key}: {value}")
except Exception as e:
click.echo(f"Error: {e}", err=True)
raise click.Abort()
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
Usage: python script.py "1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA"
human (Jan 26, 2025, 08:48 AM)
explain the forward_geocode() function line by line, I don't know anything about objective C objc
assistant (Jan 26, 2025, 08:48 AM)
Here's a line-by-line explanation of the forward_geocode function:
def forward_geocode(address: str) -> list[dict]:
with objc.autorelease_pool():
# Creates a memory management pool for Objective-C objects
# Required when working with Objective-C frameworks on macOS
geocoder = CLGeocoder.alloc().init()
# Creates a new geocoder object
# CLGeocoder is Apple's class for converting addresses to coordinates
results = {"placemarks": [], "error": None}
completed = False
# Sets up state tracking for the async operation
def completion(placemarks, error):
# Callback function that will be called when geocoding finishes
nonlocal completed
if error:
results["error"] = error.localizedDescription()
elif placemarks:
results["placemarks"] = placemarks
completed = True
geocoder.geocodeAddressString_completionHandler_(address, completion)
# Starts the geocoding process
# Takes address string and our callback function
while not completed:
# Wait loop because geocoding is asynchronous
NSRunLoop.currentRunLoop().runMode_beforeDate_(
"NSDefaultRunLoopMode",
NSDate.dateWithTimeIntervalSinceNow_(0.1)
)
# Runs the macOS event loop for 0.1 seconds
# This allows the geocoding callback to be processed
if results["error"]:
raise Exception(f"Geocoding error: {results['error']}")
return [{
# Converts each placemark (Objective-C object) into a Python dict
"latitude": pm.location().coordinate().latitude,
"longitude": pm.location().coordinate().longitude,
"name": pm.name(),
"locality": pm.locality(),
"country": pm.country()
} for pm in results["placemarks"]]The key concept is that Apple's geocoding API is asynchronous - when you ask for coordinates, it returns immediately but processes in the background. The completion handler and run loop are needed to wait for and receive the results.