How to know when AutoIT is done sending text?

[littlebigman]

Hello,

I need to write a script to automate posting to a web forum.

As a quicker way to learning how to use WebDriver + CSS, I tried the plain send() + sleep().

Problem is, the text body could take several seconds to post, so sleep() isn't a viable way to tell AutoIT to pause before proceeding.

Is there a way to tell when it's done posting before clicking on the Submit button?

Thank you.

[ioa747]

for shorter interaction time copy to clipboard first and then paste 

[Melba23]

litttlebigman,

Quote

I need to write a script to automate posting to a web forum

Otherwise known as "spamming". Just exactly why do you need to automate this process?

M23

P.S. And just to be absolutely clear - this is the Mod team determining the legality of the thread, so everyone else please keep out.

[littlebigman]

Thanks for the info on using the clipboard() instead.

I happen to have admin rights on the forum + database, and have a perfectly valid reason to need to add posts through the web interface (importing archives from another, old software.)

---

Edit: I just had another idea to make sure the body was filled: Wait a few seconds, hash the text, compare it with the original,  if NOK try again a few times before giving up with an error.

Edited February 10, 2023 by littlebigman

[Melba23]

littlebigman,

Fine - thread open to suggestions.

M23

[Nine]

Send (same for ControlSend) is a blocking function.  Why do you need to check if all characters have been sent ?

[SOLVE-SMART]

Hi @littlebigman,

like @ioa747 already suggested:

8 hours ago, ioa747 said:

for shorter interaction time copy to clipboard first and then paste 

Something like this:

Global Const $sText = _
    'Tempora earum et nostrum qui ab repellendus hic. Unde exercitationem accusamus qui accusamus quod aut. ' & _
    'Expedita repellat quia expedita et eveniet. Omnis nulla ducimus. Officia eum sequi esse dolor rerum. ' & _
    'Ut delectus magni animi. Quisquam eius neque omnis doloribus pariatur voluptatem doloribus. Odio occaecati ' & _
    'ut qui placeat doloremque qui similique dolor rerum. Totam optio in voluptas voluptatem qui quas. ' & _
    'In atque voluptatem. Quis incidunt vel consequuntur assumenda beatae id et. Voluptas architecto aut ' & _
    'excepturi occaecati earum sint dolorum officiis. Minus ut voluptatem eius id aut. Repellat vero rerum aut.'

ClipPut($sText)

Send('^v')

And yes, like @Nine mentioned, Send() will block other actions from being executed until it's done. At least as far as I know there shouldn't be any problem with it?!

Best regards
Sven

Edited February 10, 2023 by SOLVE-SMART

[littlebigman]

Thanks for the tip.

I (obviously) didn't know send() is a blocking function.

So pasting via CTRL+V does the job.

Edited February 11, 2023 by littlebigman

[ioa747]

20 hours ago, SOLVE-SMART said:

Something like this:

 

[littlebigman]

Yes, I misunderstood the sentence

"for shorter interaction, time copy (?) to clipboard first and then paste"  instead of "for shorter interaction time, copy to clipboard first and then paste"

[Nine]

If the body is a known control, you should use ControlSetText, it will send text instantly...

[littlebigman]

Yes, but… it's a web-based forum, so Control*() won't do. It's not worth learning how to use WebDriver + CSS for that job.