# Microsoft Windows Script Host 2.0 Developer's Guide

Since the release of Microsoft Windows 98, Windows Script Host (WSH) has become increasingly popular as a tool for automating routine, daily PC tasks to save time and effort. But learning how to script with WSH has been difficult because of a lack of good documentation-until now. MICROSOFT WINDOWS SCRIPT HOST 2.0 DEVELOPER'S GUIDE is the complete guide to automating routine Windows tasks. It covers all major features of Windows Script Host, as well as related topics such as how to access other automation objects. This book is ideal for WSH novices with basic programming knowledge, Microsoft Visual Basic(r) programmers, and programming experts who want to create WSH scripts to simplify working with their PCs.

Introduction
| Who This Book Is For
| The Scope of This Book
| Further Reading
| System Requirements
Part I: Introduction to the World of Script Programming
| Chapter 1 -- Introduction to Windows Script Host
|  | What You Can Do with WSH Scripts
|  | Upgrading to WSH 2
|  | Creating and Using Scripts
| Chapter 2 -- Development Tools and Techniques
|  | Creating Scripts
|  | Editing Scripts
|  | Installing and Uninstalling ActiveX Controls
|  | Debugging Scripts
| Chapter 3 -- Introduction to Programming with Objects
|  | Objects
|  | Available Objects
| Chapter 4 -- Introduction to VBScript
|  | Basic Features
|  | Advanced Features
| Chapter 5 -- Introduction to JScript
|  | What Is JScript?
|  | The Structure of a JScript Program
|  | Operators
|  | Control Structures
|  | Functions and Objects
Part II: Interactive Scripting
| Chapter 6 -- Creating Simple Dialog Boxes in WSH
|  | Using the Echo Method
|  | Using the MsgBox Function in VBScript
|  | Using the Popup Method
| Chapter 7 -- Working with WSH Objects
|  | Using the WScript Object
|  | Accessing Environment Variables
|  | Creating and Releasing Objects
|  | Launching Other Programs form a Script
| Chapter 8 -- Retrieving User Input in WSH Scripts
|  | Invoking an Input Dialog Box in WSH Script
|  | Invoking an Input Dialog Box in JScript
| Chapter 9 -- Working with Forms
|  | Using Internet Explorer to Create an About Dialog Box
|  | Using Internet Explorer and WSH to Create a Form
Part III: Power Scripting
| Chapter 10 -- Creating Shortcuts
|  | Shortcut Basics
|  | Shortcuts: Beyond the Basics
| Chapter 11 -- Using Advanced WSH Features
|  | Retrieving the User, Domain, or Computer Name
|  | Connecting to a Network Printer
|  | Mapping Network Printer
|  | Accessing the Windows Registry
| Chapter 12 -- Using File System and I/O Commands
|  | The FileSystemObject Object Model
|  | Accessing Drives
|  | Accessing Files and Folders
|  | Accessing Text Files
|  | Using the Browse For Folder Dialog Box
| Chapter 13 -- Controlling Windows and Applications from Scripts
|  | Delaying Script Execution
|  | Activating an Application Using the AppActivate Method
|  | Using the SendKeys Method to Simulate Keystrokes
|  | Customizing Windows Using Logon Scripts
| Chapter 14 -- Programming Techniques and Tips
|  | Run-Time Errors
|  | Paths and Dates
|  | Long Filenames, the At Command, and System Calls
|  | User Dialog Boxes and Output
|  | File Handling
|  | Playing Sound
|  | The Windows Shell
|  | Calling a DUN Connection
Part IV: Appendixes
| Appendix A -- WSH Resources on the Internet
| Appendix B -- Script Security
|  | Partially Disabling WSH
|  | Preventing Automatic Execution of WSH Scripts
|  | Security Settings for WSH Scripts
|  | Concluding Remarks
About the Author
About This Electronic Book