Windows Script Host - Softcover

Aitken, Peter G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0130287016 ISBN 13: 9780130287014

Publisher: Pearson P T R, 2001

Synopsis

A guide offering programmers the skills needed to automate a variety of system, application an file-related tasks on Windows ME/9x and Windows NT/2000 platforms. Covers both WSH scripting languages: VBScript and JScript. Shows how to test and debug scripts, how to create fast, efficient Windows Script Components, and more. Softcover. DLC: TCP/IP (Computer network protocol).

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Introduction

The Windows Script Host, or WSH, is a wonderful tool that is available to all users of the Windows operating system. In a nutshell, WSH is used to create scripts that automate operating system-related tasks. Which tasks are these? Anything you do with the Windows operating system, as opposed to an application program, falls into this category. Examples include copying and deleting files, logging onto network drives and printers, and executing programs. But WSH is not limited to operating system tasks - thanks to Microsoft's Component Object Model, scripts can also control many applications programs, such as Word and Excel. Almost anything you can do sitting at your computer's keyboard, you can also program a script to do for you.

So, what's the big deal? There are two factors:

Saving time. With a couple of clicks, you can execute a script that carries out a complex series of action that would take a considerable time to perform manually.

Preventing errors. Once tested and debugged, a script will carry out a precise sequence of actions error-free every time. Few people can say the same thing about their keyboard skills!

Either of these factors by itself would make a strong argument for scripting. Together, they are overpowering. Any Windows user who has gone beyond casual computing is a candidate to benefit from using WSH. Network administrators and other computer professionals can derive even more benefit.Who This Book Is For

The intended audience for this book is anyone who wants to automate repetitive or time-consuming tasks under the Windows operating system. This includes both computer users, for whom the computer is a tool, as well as network professionals and systems administrators, who are responsibile for maintaining computer systems used by others. I assume no prior knowledge on the part of the reader beyond a reasonable familiarity with Windows. Specifically, no programming experience is needed. If, however, you do have some programming experience, certain parts of the book will likely go faster for you.What You Need

The requirements for using this book are quite simple: a computer running Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, or 2000. As you will learn in Chapter 1, WSH is installed along with some of these operating systems, but must be installed separately with others (Windows 95 and NT). Details on obtaining the free install are also included in Chapter 1.Resources

You will find my Web page for this book at this URL:pgacon/scripthost.htm

This page lets you download a compressed archive containing all of the book's scripts, and there is also a link for reporting any errors, problems, or suggestion. I will also post a list of corrections and updates as they become available. Additional Internet resources for the Windows Script Host programmer can be found in Appendix 7.Peter G. Aitken
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
January 2001

From the Back Cover:

Automate Windows system administration, application control, file management, and more!

• Scripting solutions for Windows 2000, Windows 9x, and Windows ME
• Covers both VBScript and JScript
• Step-by-step coverage of cre ating, running, scheduling, and distributing scripts
• System administration, application control, file management, messaging, database access, and more
• Creating high-performance WSH script components
• Covers both VBScript and J Script!
• Syntax, data storage, operators, strings, dates, times, objects, error handling, and more
• Automating system administration, file management, database access, and messaging
• Creating high-performance WSH components
• Extending Windows' power by scripting Microsoft Office components
• Appendices include detailed VBScript and JScript references
• For every intermediate to advanced-level Windows user and administrator

Microsoft's W indows Script Host (WSH) offers system administrators and users powerful opportunities to save time and improve efficiency. In Windows Script Host, expert developer and best-selling author Peter G. Aitken covers WSH from start to finish, giving you all the skills you need to automate a wide range of system, application, and file-related tasks on Windows ME/9x and Windows 2000/NT platforms.

Aitken offers in-depth coverage of both widely used WSH scripting languages — VBScript and JSc ript. You'll start by mastering the Windows file system and scripting object models. Next, you'll learn the most effective ways to run, schedule, and distribute scripts. Once you've mastered the basics, Aitken presents practical techniques for scripting v irtually every aspect of the Windows environment, from messaging to file management, database access to system and Web administration.

Aitken presents step-by-step coverage of testing and debugging WSH scripts, demonstrates how to create fast, efficient Windows Script Components, and even shows how to extend Windows' power by scripting Microsoft Office components.

WSH gives you greater control over Windows than ever before. With Peter G. Aitken's help, you'll master that power—and dynamically improve your productivity every day you run Windows!

About this edition

• Publisher: Pearson P T R
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0130287016
• ISBN 13: 9780130287014
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384