Running scripts by external application?

[JariV]

Hi,

Is it somehow possible to make an external app to run a script within a FM file?

So far, I've used an additional "script opener file", which opens the necessary extermal FM scripts in other FM files as a part of its own startup script. This file can easily be opened by another app.

The problem with this approach is, that even when the "Set Use System Formats [On]" is the first step in the startup script, the dialog about system formats, requiring user input, still sometimes appears in client computers, depending on their setup.

This particular step performs a critical function, and is often performed when the computer is unattended, so it would be important to find a fool-proof solution to this.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Jari V

[Zero Tolerence]

Well, you can use a VB Script to call a script outside of FM.

[JariV]

Thanks,

Having no experience with VB (yet), I'd like to clarify this for myself:

With VB it is possible to run FM scripts within FM files. So, in this case, first create a VB script, and then run it from the external application, which then runs the actual FM scripts?

Does VB require any additional stuff (except Windows) be installed in the client computer?

Does doing something like this require more than just basic understanding of VB?

Jari V

[Zero Tolerence]

I have only very minimal expeirence with Visual Basic, and absolutley none (yet) with VB scripting. However, There was a recent post by someone that had a whole database of VB scripts pre written and ready to go. You might want to run a search and see if you can find it. I'm almost sure that it had something to do what your wanting.

[Zero Tolerence]

http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/171438/post/new/#NEW

There it is

[Wim Decorte]

FM has with is called ActiveX objects. It's part of what is also called a COM interface.

That means that any application that can use ActiveX/COM can talk to FM and run a script.

Virtually all programming environments can do it (VB, VBscript, Jscript, C#, C++, ...). All VBA applications can too (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, MapPoint, ... you name it; pretty much anything that Microsoft makes and others that have licensed VBA).

So the thing to do before worrying about VB and VBscript is to find out if the other app can use ActiveX/COM. If it can, you're set. If it can't but it can execute a file then you can create a VBscript and have that executed.

[Wim Decorte]

Just to clarify:

VBscript is a scripting language that is built into Windows. You can write VBscript with Notepad. You need nothing but the built-in tools. It's all free.

VB is a full programming language that requires Visual Studio to write and compile it.

Both use pretty much the same language syntax.

[JariV]

Thanks again,

The script I was looking for was already there.

Even better, modifying existing VB scripts appears to be doable even for a non-programmer...

Jari V

[Zero Tolerence]

Yes, its a great file, I'm looking though it as I get time. Thanks for it Wim!

[JariV]

Thanks a lot for the explanation Wim, it made the situation much clearer.

Jari V

[BrentHedden]

When it comes to VB scripting and FileMaker, there seems to be noone better than Mr. Decorte.

There are a few different books specifically about VB scripting. There are also several websites that have different tutorials and sample files to get you started. My understanding is any VB script can be started and run from FileMaker.

[JariV]

Just one more thing...

Can VBscripts be used with runtime solutions (v6)?

Jari V

[BrentHedden]

VB scripts can't be used with runtimes, since all external calling (ODBC, VB Scripting, etc...) is disabled.