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Script Tips
•
Scripts do not require a specific format or style as you type the
statements, and more than one statement may appear on the
same line. However, for ease of understanding the scripts you
have written, use a style similar to what you see here.
•
To ensure that all STN Express
®
features are available while you
are online, use the STNLOGON script instead of writing your own
commands to log on to STN.
•
Open a new script file by selecting New from the File menu within
the STN Edit window. A new, Untitled window is displayed
•
Check Command File checks your script for some errors. Getting
an error-free script from the command file checker does not
guarantee that the script will do what it was intended to do. A
clean bill of health from the command file checker also does not
guarantee there are no errors in the script because some errors
cannot be found until the script is run.
•
Add comments to a script by placing a \* anywhere on the line. To
display a comment on the screen, use the ECHO statement.
•
Use comments to help you and others understandable your
scripts.
•
Use blank lines to make your scripts more readable.
•
Use a standard spacing and indentation scheme to make your
scripts more readable.
•
When running a script, press the Escape or Clear key to stop the
script.
•
All STN Express scripts must be in either the User Scripts folder or
the Predefined Scripts folder. When looking for a script to execute,
STN Express first checks the User Scripts folder, then the
Predefined Scripts folder.
•
Enter only the unique portion of the prompt when using the WAIT
FOR statement.
•
Use the SEND, WAIT FOR, and TRYAGAIN statements together
because TRYAGAIN will resend the last item that was sent using a
SEND statement. Many times, TRYAGAIN is an optional part of
the statement trio because you would not want to resend some
items, e.g., login ID or password.
•
You may use your own word processor to write a script as long as
you save the file in a text-only format.
Running a
Script
While you are logged on to STN, Select Run Command File from the
he
Query menu. A Command File dialog is displayed. Select a script file to
run and then click Open. The script runs until it finishes or until an error
is found in the script.
