Newb question.

[wpgourley]

Hello all, please call me Paul.

 

I'm new to AutoIt but I've coded in other languages; C#, JAVA, and my favorite but lesser known: NeoBook.

 

When learning new application software; I like to find a project to create and then just jump right in. I have a goal in mind for an application that will help me in my work as a help-desk / IT tech at a hospital. In that role; I often have to image multiple desktops / laptops, etc. After imaging is complete, I need to install various software package depending on where they are going to be deployed.

 

My goal in this; my first AutoIt application is to automate the installation of these applications by making use of the AutoIt record tool. I want to build a kind of wrapper GUI interface that will go to a specific folder and look at previously recorded sessions stored there.

 

The interface will populate a multi-selectable list from the content of that folder and allow the user to select one or more application install sessions from that list.

 

After a "go" button is clicked; the application will then manage the serial running of each script and wait for that script to finish before moving on to the next; appropriate error trapping included.

 

The reason I want to use the recorder tool instead of coding the install; is so that the application can be used by other techs who can use the record tool, but are not coders. They should be able to use the recorder tool to record a new session and place that session in the folder. The application will then be able to re-create that install from then on.

 

My question here is; Is this a feasible and obtainable goal using the AutoIt and SciTE tools? I'm not asking for someone to code this for me. Learning AutoIt is my primary goal here. But, I would like to know if there is some aspect of AutoIt that might prevent me from completing my application.

 

Alternately; I would welcome any advice / tips that anyone would like to give me.

 

 

Thanks in advance for your help;

 

Paul

Edited September 11, 2013 by Melba23
URL removed

[careca]

Hi Paul, yes, i think everyone is able to "record", and after it has been recorded one time,

you save that script, compile it, and from then on, you only execute the exe.

Scripting is not that difficult for installs, you can pass arguments, like silent switches and stuff,

and you can do the install without moving the mouse 95% os cases.

[Melba23]

wpgourley,

Welcome to the AutoIt forums.

But please note that we do not accept adverts for payware - I have deleted the link above.

M23

[wpgourley]

wpgourley,

Welcome to the AutoIt forums.

But please note that we do not accept adverts for payware - I have deleted the link above.

M23

Moderator; I appreciate your need to keep to established policy; however that link was to a site which offers both a freeware and a payware version of it's rapid application development suite. I defer to your wisdom on the issue.

[corgano]

There is already a tool like this included with AutoIt called Au3Recorder. I'm not sure if this is written in autoit itself or not, but maybe it can give you some ideas. If it IS written in autoit, you might be able to find the code somewhere and instead of writing a new one just improve it

If you do write a completely new one, instead of simple recording clicks and playing them back, maybe you could have it recorded clicks and find out what is actually being clicked, and then convert that into controlclick()s. Using the Controlclick / Controlsend commands is more robust than using mouse click and send because you can specify to what they go, not just to where

[wpgourley]

There is already a tool like this included with AutoIt called Au3Recorder. I'm not sure if this is written in autoit itself or not, but maybe it can give you some ideas. If it IS written in autoit, you might be able to find the code somewhere and instead of writing a new one just improve it

If you do write a completely new one, instead of simple recording clicks and playing them back, maybe you could have it recorded clicks and find out what is actually being clicked, and then convert that into controlclick()s. Using the Controlclick / Controlsend commands is more robust than using mouse click and send because you can specify to what they go, not just to where

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond: the Au3Recorder tool is what I'm referring to when I propose to use a recorder to capture the install sessions.

I understand that using the Controlclick and Controlsend commands to hard code a session would be more robust and presumably; less likely to introduce errors. One of the reasons I am looking at using the recorder tool and saving that tools' output to be played back is that I work with some other very capable techs; but most of them do not code as I do. Thus, while they are certainly capable of using the Au3Recorder tool and then compiling that into an executable. I don't want them to have to edit or write new code in order to add a new install capability to the list. While I'm creating this small tool, I will keep in mind your suggestions.

Thanks again.

[Melba23]

wpgourley,

 

however that link was to a site which offers both a freeware and a payware version of it's rapid application development suite

All I can see is a payware with a free trial - that is just payware.

 

I defer to your wisdom on the issue

Thanks.

M23