Applescript for Mac, what is there for Win?

[snekkis]

Want to learn Applescript, but I also need to learn the alternative scripting for Windows so it can work the same way in solutions on both platforms. Is there any?

[macguys]

What are you trying to accomplish with scripting? There are several plugins that handle interapplication communications.

[snekkis]

I posted a Q in scriptmaker forum for toggling kiosk and desktop, where someone suggested a applescript. That seemed like what I was looking for, except for that code didn't work. So, I want to learn and get the Win alternative as well. And while I was dwelling by the thought, maybe it would be possible to script to get/copy the harddrive serial, which I was planning to use for copy protecting of a solution.

I see the hint of not having to invent the wheel again, and that there is plugin options, but the satisfaction by actually learn something myself, is a graceful inspiration I possess at the moment.

[Batfastad]

I've found a great little thing from www.hiddensoft.com called AutoIt which allows you to manipulate the windows gui and you can compile the script into a windows executable.

Unfortunately it needs to be on the users machine for it to work.

You can pass all kinds of variables to it - i use it for starting up word and pasting data from filemaker into it.

I use the autoupdate feature of filemaker server to download a whole load of these scripts (50+) to users computers when they start the database to make sure they've got the most up-to-date version

Saves messing about with activex and stuff - oh and it can let you completely re-brand filemaker window title and everything - very very useful!!

[Wim Decorte]

In general, the equivalent to AppleScript is VBscript. It's free & installed on most Windows boxes (all since 98), you can write the syntax in Notepad. There are a ton of resources available on the internet.

VBscript is a subset of the Visual Basic, but it contains some features that even VB does not have (access all of the registry, regular expressions,...).

This Devcon, Jimmy Jones and I are doing a session on AppleScript and VBscript, lots of great examples, ...