The basic building blocks used to build an AutoMate task. Actions are plain-English, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank objects that represent a task step.
Automate Markup Language - the internal markup language that it is designed to facilitate the building of automation solutions in Windows.
An argument (sometimes referred to as parameters) is a value sent to a function when it is called upon. By passing an argument to a function, the function is given information to work on. A function without arguments must include an empty set of parentheses (). For example, the Date() function returns the current system date and the Now() function returns the current date along with the time.
Arrays are used to represent data in a task that may be different each time a task runs. But unlike standard variables, arrays can contain multiple rows and optionally multiple columns.
Also known as (AML) - The internal markup language that it is designed to facilitate the building of automation solutions in Windows. AML is very similar to XML.
Like variables, datasets are used to represent data in a task that may be different each time a task runs. But unlike standard variables, datasets can contain multiple rows and columns. This is useful when retrieving data that describes an object or objects, or that represents a collection of data such as a database or spreadsheet.
Datasets are used to represent data in a task that may be different each time a task runs. But unlike standard variables, datasets can contain multiple rows and columns. This is useful when retrieving data that describes an object or objects, or that represents a collection of data such as a database or spreadsheet.
An expression is a combination of symbols that represents a value. Expressions take the text found between percentage signs and passes it to the BASIC expression interpreter.
An AutoMate tool used to assist in the creation and examination of expressions. The Expression Builder provides a hierarchical view of all supported functions, constants, datasets, variables, and arrays. It also provides a list of system objects, such as AMError and AMTrigger AMTrigger, which can be used to determine a variety of key elements that occur during runtime.
An extensive collection of additional functions that increase the functionality of the AutoMate Scripting Engine. They can be used as an expression in any task step, thus, adding more intelligence to a task and further broadening the functionality of Automate.
In computer programming, a function is predefined code which can generate various kinds of values depending on certain input from the user. Most programming languages such as VBScript come with a pre-written, built-in range of functions that perform various procedures or routines. A function without arguments must include an empty set of parentheses (). For example, the Date() function returns the current system date and the Now() function returns the current date along with the time.
Sub-tasks are task files run synchronously at the step level using the Start Task action. Sub-tasks are treated as individual modules that maintain their own scope and accessibility. Sub-tasks can access public variables, functions, and extended functions of the parent task.
Task variables provide a means of sharing common data between more than one function. Task variables are similar to function parameters in that they are composed of a name, type, and accessibility descriptor. The types supported by task variables are (and must remain) identical to those supported by a task function. Task variables also support optional descriptions. However, unlike function parameters, a task variable cannot be marked as optional.
A variable (or local variable) is a place holder for a changeable value. Variables allow you to set up actions to be performed on values that will not be known until the task is run. Variable names are not case sensitive.
A set of attributes that the system uses as a template to create a window. Every window is a member of a window class. All window classes are process specific.
AutoMate's Window Dissection™ technology encompasses a group of technologies that provide AutoMate with intelligence about active windows and controls on a system. It can be used to precisely identify any window. Windows are frequently identified by their title, but occasionally this is not enough. If, for example, there are many windows open with the same window title, it is necessary to specify additional criteria to identify one window from another. Window Dissection allows the specification of a window based on objects, controls, or text inside a window. Multiple objects may be specified which, when taken together, make a description of a unique window on the system.
A unique value that Windows assigns to a window each time it is created. If multiple copies of an application are open and have the same window title, they can be identified by their window handles.