VBScript Programmer's Reference

What is this book about?

The VBScript standard has changed over time, and several new things have been introduced since this book first published in 1999. The current standard for VBScript is 5.6. The script debugger, script control, and script encoder have all changed and the Windows Script Component Wizard, regular expressions, and remote scripting have been introduced. Windows Script Host technology has also matured over time and gained in both effectiveness and popularity.

VBScript Programmer''s Reference, 2nd Edition begins with discussion of the general syntax, functions, keywords, style, error handling, and similar language-specific topics and then moves into an expanded reference section covering the object models in detail. The book combines a comprehensive overview of the VBScript technology and associated technologies with practical examples at every stage from beginner to advanced user.

Specific topics include the following:

• Variables and Data Types
• Procedures
• Error Handling and Debugging
• Windows Script Components
• Script Encoding
• Remote Scripting
• Data Objects
• Coding Conventions

VBScript is an incredibly versatile tool-easy to learn, powerful, and flexible. This fully updated guide combines a comprehensive overview of VBScript and associated technologies with practical examples you can use, whether you're a beginner, a veteran programmer, or a network administrator.

If you're new at VBScript, or even to programming, this book will teach you what you need to know about this multipurpose language. If you're experienced, you can skip the fundamentals and focus on the updates in this version, including changes to the script debugger, control and encoder, as well as the Windows Script Component Wizard, regular expression, and remote scripting. Finally, everyone who works with VBScript will learn how to use VBScript with ASP and DHTML, write powerful login scripts, and automate repetitive, time-consuming, and error-prone tasks with Windows Script Host.

Packed with practical examples and up-to-the-minute coverage, this reference takes you as deep into VBScript as you choose to go.

What you will learn from this book

• What VBScript is and is not, and how it works
• Error handling and debugging techniques
• Windows® script components, script encoding, and remote scripting
• How to add VBScript to your VB applications
• Both client-side and server-side Web scripting
• Variables, data types, data objects, procedures, coding conventions, and flow control
• How to use VBScript within other technologies

Who this book is for
This book is for anyone interested in learning about VBScript. If you already have programming or VBScript experience, it will deepen your knowledge and provide an excellent reference.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has made his living as a technology writer for the last six years, with many books and articles to his name. He can also be found teaching classes on the Web, where he has successfully taught technology skills to thousands of learners, with his own special brand of knowledge, experience, wit, and poor spelling.

Kathie Kingsley-Hughes has worked in IT training for many years. In addition to writing, she now works as a courseware developer and e-trainer, specializing in Internet technologies. She also runs a Web development company in the United Kingdom.

Daniel Reed is a software developer living and working in Atlanta, GA, USA. He currently works for Connecticut Inc., an Atlanta-based software consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry. Daniel also publishes and writes essays for chapters.*, a Web-based magazine for software professionals (DeveloperDotStar.com).