AutoIt v3.2 released

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AutoIt v3.2 is a ware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages (e.g. VBScript and SendKeys). AutoIt is also very small, self-contained and will run on 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 out of the box with no annoying “runtimes” required! You can even make compiled executable scripts that can run without AutoIt being installed!

Now with COM, Structure support, TCP communication functionality, and BinaryString datatype. This release has been in the works for over a year. The forum is it’s greatest resource: http://www.autoitscript.com/forum [/url]

Alan

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Thanks for the heads up, Alan. As you know, since you’ve mentioned it in the past as I have, I’m surprised that AutoIt doesn’t get MORE mention here in The Lounge. It’s a great program and I’m off to download the latest.

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Couldn’t agree more Al. Having worked myself on a few open source programs, I have nothing but admiration for the way in which the AutoIt software has been developed – professional and thorough all the way. From simple beginnings, it’s become powerful and versatile… always tight, never bloated. Enjoy!

Alan

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Just to add a “BTW” to this one, Alan. For the benefit of any Loungers who would be willing to consider something NOT for free, there is a scripting system that’s been around for a long time, called WinBatch – The Batch Language for Windows. It’s a $100 (US) program and for BIG bucks you can even buy an EXE compiler if you’ve a mind to. If you search the Lounge you’ll find it mentioned a time or two, mostly by me. However, I do think that the AutoIt will serve the needs of most modest “programmers.”

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Whew! US$495 with compiler included. From what I can see (admittedly from the brief feature list) AutoIt can do all those things Winbatch purports, and possibly more.

Alan

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Thanks for the update, Alan.

Being a non-programmer I must say I’ve found AutoIt incredibly useful over the last half year. BTW, those who want to give it a whirl might also be interested in SciTE, a text editor with Intellisense-like support for AutoIt code. Enjoy!

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I doooooooooo agree! In fact, I think for an aspiring “hobby” programmer, AutoIt is a good way to learn some of the basics of pogramming, without having to tackle the overwhelming prospect of learning a full-blown language. SciTE is an excellent addition, as well as a great “syntax-aware” editor, in its own right e.g. SciTE for Windows Scripting. Depending on what you’re targetting, IE.au3 Library / Builder and Ie.au3 T2.0 Internet Explorer Automation Library are worth grabbing too. Tons more stuff if you dig into the forums.

Alan

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And just to add an explicit example and give Alan credit for a nice one, check out this thread ( post 595,127 ) where kentg was looking for help with graphics viewing and Alan helped him out using a simple piece of code in AutoIt.

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Hi Alan. You seem to be the resident guru on AutoIt. I hope you can inform me to the question below:

I downloaded AutoIt about 3 weeks ago and tried it out but I have no idea how to use it. It seems very complicated. Most of it seems to be program code orientated where I was hoping to be able to record keyboard and mouse actions an have the appl. create to code for me, much like recordring a macro in Excel. Does AuotoIt actually allow recording, or is it all code orientated?

There is just too much code like windows in the extensive menu and frankly I was scared off from trying anything, hense my question for a simple recorder like option.

TX

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Hi Rudi

Yes, AutoIt is really geared towards writing basic-type scripts, often simulating keyboard and mouse input, rather than recording user actions of same. It’s more like writing code in the VBE, as opposed to recording a macro for later playback. But it does have a relative that probably fits in with what you’re after – AutoHotkey – Free Mouse and Keyboard Macro Program with Hotkeys and AutoText.

There’s always been mumblings about it being a “rip off” of AutoIt and yet it openly includes AutoScriptWriter, a macro recorder written by Larry Keys, who’s a key AutoIt development figure… go figure! Sounds like Family Feud to me. The program includes a script compiler that converts a script to an EXE. There are also rumblings of this getting a bit “long in the tooth” though.

Here are some other leads I’ve sourced, but can’t vouch for them one way or t’other:
freewarehits.de – RemoteKeys
Windows Macro Recorder
MacroMaker
WinMacro, a Macro recorder/player for Windows by S. Senthil Kumar
Last Freeware version: Aldo’s Macro Recorder

Alan

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Hi Alan,

TX for the explanation and those links. Those look very interesting. I’ll definitely peek into those links and see how they look!

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These programs seem to be getting more and more advanced nowdays. I see that they even have programs to control your PC when you go on ‘lunch’…fancy that!?!

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You know how these computer geeks are – they have modules for breakfast and macros for lunch…

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