Windows Script Host – Beyond the Batch File.ppt

Windows Script Host – Beyond the Batch File Norbert Mika NJM Consulting Agenda Batch files reviewed What is WSH?; What can you do? WSH Architecture Object models Examples Batch Files Reviewed Based on MS DOS commands Limited programmability Environment variables Replaceable variables Conditional test (If) Loops (For) Labels and Goto’s Use of redirection What is the WSH? Microsoft’s scripting environment Supports various scripting languages Microsoft provides VBScript and Jscript 3rd party support for Perl, Python REXX Available in all versions of Windows since Win 95 What Can You Do with WSH? Automate repetitive Windows tasks Create a large number of user accounts Automate complex tasks Manage Registry information Schedule time consuming tasks or resource intensive tasks Process a large number of files during off-peak hours Other Examples Create desktop shortcuts Manage files and folders Configure the Windows Start Menu Configure the Windows Quick Launch bar Manage Windows Services Manage printers Map network drives Manage Windows event logs WSH Architecture Script Engine Generally, engine is a matter of choice VBScript and Jscript supplied by Microsoft VBScript engine distributed with Internet Explorer, or can be downloaded separately Script embedded in HTML pages cannot access local file system (except cookies) Script execute by WSH cannot perform browser-related tasks, like displaying forms WSH Execution Hosts CScript host good for scripts with Character-based output or no output No user interaction Background processing needs WScript host good for scripts with User interaction (pop-up dialogs) Configuring the Execution Hosts Setting defaults Cscript: command prompt Wscript: command prompt or from desktop Additional options, and overriding defaults At command prompt General syntax cscript scriptname [//options] [arguments] wscript scriptname [//options] [arguments] (see command line help for details) for Script examples WSH Object Model VBScript Runtime Ob