NOTE: This feature is only available in the Professional version of AutoMate
BASIC Scripting is available in the professional edition of AutoMate™. This fully Visual Basic for Applications™ compatible scripting engine lets you integrate BASIC language support into your automated procedures.
BEGINNERS NOTE:
It is not necessary for you to know how to write BASIC code to use AutoMate™. Many people will be able to achieve everything they need without ever using this feature. However, learning how to write VBA™ (compatible) code will extend the power of AutoMate™ tremendously. Furthermore VBA™ appears to be the standard for embedded application scripting languages as it currently appears in many other commercial applications.
What is BASIC Scripting
BASIC Scripting allows you to add Basic language scripts to your procedure. Examples of commercial applications that contain a similar facility include: Microsoft Excel, Word for Windows, and CrossTalk for Windows. In each of these applications you can write source code that is used to control the associated application.With BASIC Scripting, you can now have AutoMate™ make decisions while a task is running, such as an if [a condition is met] / then [perform an action] / else [perform another action]. Scripting gives you full control of file I/O, Winsock (internet), case structures, OLE Automation, .dll support and much much more...
If you have ever used Microsoft's Visual Basic™, the scripting process in AutoMate™ should be very familiar.
The following is a brief overview of the major functions and features of AutoMate’s BASIC Scripting :
- Full support for industry standard BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) source code.
- Custom commands and objects such as AMTask specifically oriented toward AutoMate’s function.
- Call Basic subroutines or functions directly from tasks, giving you the ability to customize the behavior of your automation.
- Supports the in-code creation of custom dialog boxes using standard Windows controls including: buttons, checkboxes, group boxes, list boxes, option buttons (also called radio buttons) and text edit controls.
- Support for OLE Automation which allows the Basic language to programmatically access software components from other applications.
- The ability to declare and call any Windows API function from within the Basic language.
- Built-in editor and Integrated Development Environment.
For BASIC language syntax, please see Basic language help from the AutoMate™ program group or from within the AutoMate™ IDE (Integrated Debugging Environment).
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