Posted by Robert G Laurin on April 02, 2007 at 06:10:03:
In Reply to: Automating / Scripting programs posted by Mike Saunders on March 30, 2007 at 06:56:01:
We don't do a lots of scripting for Comet programs but we script a lot of stuff around Comet.
Years ago we would have Comet generate WordPerfect macro files (.WPM) to perform automated mail-merges using Comet supplied data.
We replaced WordPerfect that did not work really nice under Win XP (Words was never an option - cannot do shit!) We are not using PlanetPress which is a PostScript document management that creates intelligent documents that resides directly on the printer (Yes! The printer actually paginates the final document). We simply provide simple script commands (or trigger) and the raw data in whatever form (we use XML) and voilą! We use the Comet spooler to manage our print jobs. I can only complain that the spooler is not fast and does not really like jobs with hundred of thousands of lines. I wrote a Comet Spooler pre-view in VisualBasic that allows us to restart jobs in the middle (keeping the trigger). There might be other possible applications for this VB program if someone is interrested...
We also use Comet to generate scripts for our US Mail Address Correction and Mail Presort (using 3rd party software). Comet basically LAUNCHes the other apps and wait for completion before processing next task. We also have a Canadiand Mail Presort but that is entirely written under Comet (see PLC Max on Canada Post's 3rd party software vendors).
I also use heavily a scripting FTP program called FTP Performer. It is absolutely great, it is fully scriptable and allow local files operation and compression (ZIP). We use this to automate process like sending and archiving of Mail Manifest, Collection Agency batch files and secured transmission of pre-authorised payments (both Credit Card and pre-authorised withdrawals for the U.S., Canada and U.K.). We actually use Performer to generate a script for WS-FTP to perform Secured FTP (SFTP) transfer to one of our bank partners (Performer does passive secured FTP not SFTP). Performer will also work with .INI files, so we can "batch script" processes. I use a .INI for batch transfer to collection agencies because we use more than one and it allows me to use a single process to send them all and I can control from within Comet which are active or inactive. (Oh I wish Comet could use .INI as easily as this program does).
So yes I use scripting. Not to script Comet but to have Comet script the rest of the world!
Comet Rules !