AutoIt v3 is an opensource BASIC-like scripting language designed for
automating the Windows GUI. 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 was initially designed for PC "roll out" situations to
configure thousands of PCs, but with the arrival of v3 it is also
well suited to performing home automation and the scripting of
repetitive tasks.
AutoIt can:
Provide a general-purpose scripting language
Execute Windows and DOS executables
Simulate keystrokes (supports most keyboard layouts)
Simulate mouse movements and clicks
Move, resize and manipulate windows
Interact directly with "controls" on a window (set/get text from
edit controls, check boxes and radio buttons, select items in drop-
down lists, etc.)
Work with the clipboard to cut/paste text items
Work with the registry
Unlike AutoIt2, the new AutoIt v3 language has a much more standard
syntax -similar to VBScript and BASIC - and now supports complex
expressions, user functions, looping and everything else that veteran
scripters would expect.
As with previous versions, AutoIt has been designed to be as small as
possible (~100KB) and stand-alone with no external .dll files or
registry entries required. Scripts can also be compiled into stand-
alone executables with Aut2Exe.
There will also be updates to the ActiveX and DLL versions of AutoIt
called AutoItX3 - unlike v2 this will be a combined control (COM and
standard DLL functions in the same DLL). AutoItX3 will allow you to
add the unique features of AutoIt to your own favourite scripting or
programming languages! (AutoItX3 is currently in beta, the files can
be downloaded here).
Best of all, AutoIt continues to be FREE - but if you want to support
the time, money and effort spent on the project and web hosting then
you may donate using the link to your left in the menu.
Whats New?
AutoIt v3 has a completely different syntax to AutoIt2 so old scripts
are not compatible. However, AutoIt2 will continue to be supported
and downloadable. Both AutoIt v3 and v2.64 can be installed on the
same machine together without any problems and you can keep your old
scripts intact. AutoIt v2 uses the .aut extension and AutoIt3 uses
.au3. There is rarely a need to rewrite a working v2.64 script for
v3.
AutoIt v3 has the same concepts as previous versions with windows
titles and text and keyboard and mouse simulation but has many new
features:
Controls
Directly get information on and interact with edit boxes, check
boxes, list boxes, combos, buttons, status bars without the risk of
keystrokes getting lost. Even work with controls in windows that
aren't active!
Language Upgrades
"Proper" numbers, unlimited-length strings, complex expressions, if
statements, select, while loops, for loops, do loops, functions,
arrays, excellent string handling (over 25 functions!) - the list
goes on. Everything you need to make your automation routines as
painless as possible. Yes, this is a GUI automation language but the
syntax in v3 is powerful enough for general purpose scripting. Old
versions of AutoIt were often referred to as "not a proper language".
Not any more.
Key and Mouse Simulation
Much time has been spent optimizing the keystroke and mouse
simulation functions to be as accurate as possible on all current
operating systems. The mouse functions also look more "human" in
this version and can even be used to create slick demo scripts. All
the mouse and keyboard routines are highly configurable both in terms
of simulation "speed" and functionality.
Window Management
In addition to the "title/text" AutoIt v2 way of accessing windows
you can also access windows by their class names and handles. As
usual you can expect to move, hide, show, resize, activate, close and
pretty much do what you want with windows.
And much, much more.
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* Origin: [adminz] tech, security, support (192:168/0.2)
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