VBScript Course
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Saturday, January 05, 2013 4:04 AM
Hello all,
Why don't you guys provide a course? Yes, it could be a follow along tuturial, but try and add some depth and work with either the tools that come as part of the OS or the ones that are freely downloadable. The beginning of the course should definitely explain that VBScript only calls code that is made available through a lower level of abstraction. The course should show how to hunt down what you need rather than just to memorize to use "this" for "that". Maybe then, I won't have to make a fool of myself on here, and I can actually get back to the ideas that I have for my projects. :-) The "Hey, Scripting Guy" archive is excellent and VBScript.chm are definitely excellent resources, but it is all kind of empty in a way. First, it is an overwhelming amount of information, but when you get down to reading it, the reader is left with so many questions. I am not saying that I haven't been able to use the documentation effectively, I am just saying that the documentation does not give the reader an intuitive development for discovering "why" and even in some cases "how". I love script, you can really do alot with it. I've since some across some infromation about how to use XAML and VBScript for use with the dot net framework. I haven't tried to use it yet, but it looks like you can even script Windows Forms. That is excellent! I couldn't understand why there wasn't an interface that creates a window and controls. Hey, I do like HTA's, but why not just be able to create that same window that you can in C++ from script? I've created a Window in Visual C++ and was thinking how nice it would be if there was just an automation object or class with a method that would create ALL THAT FREAKING CODE just for one empty window, on the fly.
You know, come to think of it, the course could be more like 2 or 3 courses (or more), depending on which perspective you wanted to code from, ie: HTML scripting with IE, Local System Administration and Automation, Active Directory, Graphics .... ah, which would have been really, really great to be able to script some DirectX stuff. Obvioulsy, you would't have the power for full fledge, high end games, but I bet we could come up with some very fun and entertaining DirectX scripts, reguardless.
Anyway, cheers!
Student
- Edited by 3ScriptsToMars Saturday, January 05, 2013 4:16 AM
All Replies
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Saturday, January 05, 2013 4:10 AM
Hello all,
Why don't you guys provide a course? Yes, it could be a follow along tuturial, but try and add some depth and work with either the tools that come as part of the OS or the ones that are freely downloadable. The beginning of the course should definitely explain that VBScript only calls code that is made available through a lower level of abstraction. The course should show how to hunt down what you need rather than just to memorize to use "this" for "that". Maybe then, I won't have to make a fool of myself on here, and I can actually get back to the ideas that I have for my projects. :-) The "Hey, Scripting Guy" archive is excellent and VBScript.chm are definitely excellent resources, but it is all kind of empty in a way. First, it is an overwhelming amount of information, but when you get down to reading it, the reader is left with so many questions. I am not saying that I haven't been able to use the documentation effectively, I am just saying that the documentation does give the reader an intuitive development for discovering "why" and even in some cases "how". I love script, you can really do alot with it. I've since some across some infromation about how to use XAML and VBScript for use with the dot net framework. I haven't tried to use it yet, but it looks like you can even script Windows Forms. That is excellent! I couldn't understand why there wasn't an interface that creates a window and controls. Hey, I do like HTA's, but why not just be able to create that same window that you can in C++ from script? I've created a Window in Visual C++ and was thinking how nice it would be if there was just an automation object or class with a method that would create ALL THAT FREAKING CODE just for one empty window, on the fly.
You know, come to think of it, the course could be more like 2 or 3 courses (or more), depending on which perspective you wanted to code from, ie: HTML scripting with IE, Local System Administration and Automation, Active Directory, Graphics .... ah, which would have been really, really great to be able to script some DirectX stuff. Obvioulsy, you would't have the power for full fledge, high end games, but I bet we could come up with some very fun and entertaining DirectX scripts, reguardless.
Anyway, cheers!
Student
All of those courses exist. Just use you favorite search engine to find them. There are hundreds all tailored to specific needs.
Here is one on scripting as a video course: http://www.sapien.com/training/selfpaced
There are hundreds. Microsoft publishes dozens of training videos.
Happy New Year ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Saturday, January 05, 2013 4:57 AM
Microsoft made an excellent book available for purchase or for FREE.
I don't see it for free anywhere anymore but if you MUST use VBS (it has not been updated for 10+ years) then fork out some dough and buy this one. It is the best beginner book I ever bought for any language:
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Scripting Guide- Marked As Answer by 3ScriptsToMars Saturday, January 05, 2013 5:06 PM
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Saturday, January 05, 2013 5:11 PM
Hello CountryStyle,
This is funny, because I purchased it earlier this morning and I am just checking your response, now. ... Also, I had to check real quick, but it was in another post that I was just talking about how I should have bought that book, instead of VBScript Self-Paced. I also bought VBScript Advanced. In my opinion, those books do not spend enough time on any one area. I am gonna write a book one day, and show everybody how you "take care" of your reader.
... and that is not an invite for any condescending remarks, jrv
... and I also bought a VBScript lesson series from Sapein, so I guess I'll have to thank you for that one, jrv, because it is really good
Student
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Saturday, January 05, 2013 6:13 PM
The Microsoft Windows 2000 Scripting Guide has not been published for nearly 10 years. It has been available for free online for nearly 10 years. Used copies are available and books by other companies with a similar name exist.
Here is the guide online: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee221103.aspx
The other classic tutorial is here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/scriptcenter/dd772284
I cannot understand how you cannot learn the basics of scri0ting when there are so many good beginner books available.
As I have noted in the past, part of your problem with scripting is a lack of understanding of the fundamentals of both programming and of Windows.
Here are two books that might help you to catch up on the fundamentals.
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Windows-Microsoft-Programming-Series/dp/1572316772/ref=pd_sim_b_17
Unfortunately there are very few, if any, books on VBScript for someone who does not have a technical background in Windows. This is partly because VBScript is now close to 15 years old and is nearly obsolete. There are numerous web based resources that can help someone to learn the basics of programming but nearly all use C or VB as demo languages.
Keep in mind that learning takes effort. You must come to the material as it will not change to suite your ideas. Learning is primarily a process of changing how you see the world. If you cannot change you cannot learn. The effect of aging shows how this works along with many diseases that block the ability for the brain to work. In nearly all cases special effort can overcome difficulties caused by age and disease. In all cases the learner must put in effort and be willing to revise long held incorrect perceptions.
Happy New Year ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Saturday, January 05, 2013 7:17 PM
I jsjt spent some time over a good cuppa searcing fo a good programming book for beginning scripters. I found some candidates but all are not targeted at a Windows user or assume fundamtental programming skills.
THe links to the learning resources on this site for VBScript provide access to some of the best and most complete examples and discussions of the nuances of WSH scripting. This is a must for all new scripters. It is also of value to seasoned programmers who need to understand the difference between classic programming and scripting. Most programmers use early bound langauges like C and are not used to teh restrictions placed on late bound languages like vbscript.
If the tutorails are good enough for prgrammers and have been used and complimented for years then I do not see what is defficient in them.
All people learn differently so it is not possible to create the perfect training course. The best you can do \is to search for the closest match that helps you to undersztnd the subject.
The idea of writing your own book does have merits. If you start now and attempt to write about each basic bit as it needs to be described then you will have to create and test examples. As you do this you will be validating your current knowledge and also filling in areas that may not be well understood. Many technical articles are written by trained and experienced engineers for the purpos of validating and fixing their own undersstranding of a subject.
In the past I have written articles for the above reasion. It has helped me to focus on teh material and als has forced me to validate my statements by example and reference. In most cases the article was never published because by the time I finished it there were articles by others that di as good or better of a job of discussin hte technology. Writing the article was still invaluable to my learning and understanding.
Another great method of learning a technology better is to teach a course in that technology. I have had to do that frequently. It forces us to review what we think we know and to create a presentation that can be clearly understood. Being forced to teach in a second language also bring differnt things into the mix that make us learn things in new ways.
Yes - by all means write your own book. If you are successful you may be able to get it published. At a minimum you will have a much better understanding of the issues.
Happy New Year ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Sunday, January 06, 2013 4:26 AM
student is really asking for a lot here. He complains about the overwhelming amount of information available but that it only leaves him with more questions. Do you think if it were possible to develop some kind of concise learning tool that would be what everyone required that someone might have done that already?
Learning is not a passive activity. Once you learn the nuts and bolts of the technology (whether that be VBScript or the English Language), have seen a few examples of how others came up with interesting ways to apply it, and then had one or two "AHA" moments of your own, that should be enough if you just let your intuition take over. Programming and scripting will likely never become something you can do by just having it all explained to you, Each project is its own learning experience, and nothing can take its place.
Al Dunbar -- remember to 'mark or propose as answer' or 'vote as helpful' as appropriate.
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