Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner Part 44 pptx

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//Main Processing Section
//Verify that the user wants to open the VBScript Game Console
intReply = DisplayInitialSplashScreen();
//intReply will be set equal to 2 if the user clicks on the Cancel
if (intReply == 2) {
//Close the VBScript Game Console
WScript.Quit();
}
//Procedure Section
//This procedure prompts the user for confirmation
function DisplayInitialSplashScreen() {
strTitleBarMsg = getResource(“cTitlebarMsg”);
//Display popup dialog using the WshShell object’s Popup() method
intResults = +
objWshShl.Popup(strWelcome +
strInstructions, 0, strTitleBarMsg, 1);
//Return the result to the calling statement
return intResults
}
One way to develop each of the three scripts used in this Windows Script File is
to create each script as a stand-alone script and get them all working as expected,
and then to cut and paste the scripts into the Windows Script File in the areas
identified for each script by the XML tags.
As you can see, this JScript is broken down into the same three sections that I’ve been using
to organize this book’s VBScripts (that is, the initialization section, the main processing sec-
tion, and the procedure section). Comments in JScript are created using the
// characters,
and I have added a number of them to the script to explain its operation. The script’s only
TRICK
Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Second Edition

function, DisplayInitialSplashScreen(), is responsible for displaying the VBScript Game
Console’s initial splash screen, which it does using the
WshShell object’s Popup() method. JScript
does not provide any functions that work similarly to the VBScript
MsgBox() or InputBox()
functions. Therefore, to display text in a pop-up dialog using JScript, you must use either the
WshShell object’s Popup() method or the WScript object’s Echo() method.
Developing the VBScript Game Console
The VBScript portion of the VBScript Game Console contains the bulk of the complexity and
programming logic. The first step in developing this VBScript is to insert your VBScript tem-
plate and fill it in, as follows:
‘*******************************************************************
‘Script Name: N/A
‘Author: Jerry Ford
‘Created: 12/20/02
‘Description: This VBScript displays the actual VBScript
‘ Game Console interface and interacts with the user
‘*******************************************************************
‘Initialization Section
Option Explicit
Defining the Elements in the Initialization Section
Next, let’s define the variables, objects, and the array used by the VBScript. In most of the
VBScripts that you’ve seen in this book, I’ve included a constant that defines the titlebar
message to be displayed in the script’s pop-up dialogs. However, this time I’ve omitted this
constant in the VBScript because I have, instead, defined this value using the
<reference>
and </reference> tags at the beginning of the Windows Script File. This allows me to retrieve
the constant and create a standard titlebar message for every script defined in the Windows
Script File.
Dim objFsoObject, objWshShl, strPlayOrNot, strConsoleStatus

Dim objGameFolder, objGames, strSelection, objWordList
Dim strFileString, intCount, strDisplayString, intNoFilesFound
Dim strTitleBarMsg, intResults
Dim ConsoleArray()
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‘Set up an instance of the FileSystemObject
Set objFsoObject = CreateObject(“Scripting.FileSystemObject”)
‘Set up an instance of the WshShell
Set objWshShl = WScript.CreateObject(“WScript.Shell”)
‘Retrieve the titlebar message to the displayed in popup dialogs
strTitleBarMsg = getResource(“cTitlebarMsg”)
Building the Main Processing Section
The statements listed in the Main Processing section are straightforward. I began by first
checking the value of
intResults, which was set by the previous JScript. If intResults is
equal to 2, then the player told the JScript to shut down the game console. However, after
executing the
WScript object’s Quit() method, inside the JScript, the WSF script keeps run-
ning, executing the VBScript. Therefore, you’ll need to include this additional check and
execute the
WScript object’s Quit() method a second time to prevent the VBScript from dis-
playing the game console.
I then used the
FileSystemObject object’s GetFolderMethod() to establish a reference to the
location where the VBScript games to be displayed in the game console are stored. A
For
Each
loop that spins through the list of files stored in this folder, keeping a record of the

number of files counted, is executed.
Note as the VBScript is currently written, it expects to find only VBScript files
stored in the game folder. Therefore, no steps have been taken to filter out
other file types. If you plan to store different files in the game folder, you will
need to add additional logic to the VBScript to prevent it from displaying those
files as well.
Next, the VBScript’s array is resized according to the number of files found. This array is
used to store the names of each VBScript game and to associate each VBScript game with its
assigned number as shown in the game console’s dialog. Finally, the
ConsoleLoop() function
is called. This function is responsible for the overall operation of the VBScript game console.
‘Main Processing Section
If intResults = 2 Then
WScript.Quit()
End If
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Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Second Edition
‘Specify the location of the folder where word files are stored
Set objGameFolder = objFsoObject.GetFolder(“C:\VBScriptGames”)
‘Get a list of files stored in the folder
Set objGames = objGameFolder.Files
‘Look and count the number of words files
For Each objWordList In objGames
intNoFilesFound = intNoFilesFound + 1
Next
‘Redefine the script’s array based on number of word files found
ReDim ConsoleArray(intNoFilesFound)
‘Call the function that displays the VBScript Game Console
ConsoleLoop()
Creating the ConsoleLoop() Function

The VBScript Game Console is controlled by the ConsoleLoop() function. This function is
responsible for assigning a number to each VBScript, for loading the VBScript’s array, for
interrogating user input, and for performing the appropriate action based on that input.
‘This function displays the VBScript Game Console, accepts user
‘input, validates the input and starts other VBScript games
Function ConsoleLoop()
‘This string contains a list of all the word files discovered
‘in the target folder
strSelection = “”
‘This counter will be used to track individual word files and
‘will be kept in sink with array entries
intCount = 0
‘Loop through the list of word files
For Each objWordList In objGames
‘Build a master string containing a list of all the word files
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Chapter 12 • Combining Different Scripting Languages
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‘But exclude the VBScriptGameConsole.wsf file from this list
If objWordList.Name <> “VBScriptGameConsole.wsf” Then
‘Increment count each time through the loop
intCount = intCount + 1
strFileString = strFileString & “ “ & objWordList.Name
‘Build another list, adding number for later display
strSelection = strSelection & intCount & “. “ & _
objWordList.Name & vbCrLf
‘Load the name of each script into the array
ConsoleArray(intCount) = objWordList.Name
End If
Next

‘This variable is used to determine when to close the console
strConsoleStatus = “Active”
‘Create loop & keep it running until the user decides to close it
Do Until strConsoleStatus = “Terminate”
‘Interrogate the user’s input
strPlayOrNot = UCase(PickAGame())
‘If the user did not type anything or if he or she clicked on
‘Cancel then exit the function let things come to an end
If strPlayOrNot = “” Then
Exit Function
End If
‘Define a Select Case statement and use it to test the various
‘possible types of user input
Select Case UCase(strPlayOrNot)
Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Second Edition
‘If the user typed QUIT then exit the function let things
‘come to an end
Case “QUIT”
Exit Function
‘If the user typed ABOUT call the function that displays
‘additional information abut the VBScript Game Console
Case “ABOUT”
AboutFunction()
‘If the user typed HELP call the function that provides
‘additional help information
Case “HELP”
HelpFunction()
‘Otherwise call the function that runs the selected VBScript
Case Else
ValidateAndRun()’

End Select
Loop
End Function
Creating the ValidateAndRun() Function
When called by the ConsoleLoop() function, the ValidateAndRun() function, shown below,
validates user input by making sure that the user has supplied either a valid game number
or valid game name. If a valid number or name is not supplied, then the function calls the
InvalidChoice() function, which displays a generic error message telling the user how to
properly operate the VBScript Game Console. If a valid number or name is supplied, then
the function calls the
RunScript() function, which then executes the specified VBScript
game.
‘This function validates user input and if appropriate calls
‘functions that display further instructions or run the selected
‘VBScript
Function ValidateAndRun()
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‘Check to see if the user provided a valid game number
If IsNumeric(strPlayOrNot) <> 0 Then
‘Make sure that the user did not type a negative number
If strPlayOrNot > 0 Then
‘Make sure that the user did not type a invalid number
If CInt(strPlayOrNot) < CInt(intCount) Then
‘If the number is valid then find the associated script
strPlayOrNot = ConsoleArray(strPlayOrNot)
‘Call the procedure that will then run the selected script
RunScript()
Else

‘Call this procedure if the user hast not typed a valid
‘script number
InvalidChoice()
End If
Else
InvalidChoice()
End If
‘Check to see instead if the user provided a valid game name
Else
‘Proceed only if the input typed by the user is a valid VBScript
‘game (e.g. its name appears in the previously built list of
‘VBScript game names
If InStr(1, strSelection, strPlayOrNot, 1) > 1 Then
‘If the user didn’t type the .vbs file extension add it
If InStr(1, strPlayOrNot, “.VBS”, 1) = 0 Then
strPlayOrNot = strPlayOrNot & “.vbs”
‘Recheck to make sure that the script name is still valid
If InStr(1, strSelection, strPlayOrNot, 1) > 1 Then
‘Call the procedure that runs the selected script
RunScript()
Else
‘Call this procedure if the user has not typed a valid
‘script name
InvalidChoice()
End If
Else
Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Second Edition
‘If the user specified the script’s .vbs file extension and
‘it is found in the previously built list of VBScript game
‘names then go ahead and call the procedure that will run

‘the script
If InStr(1, strSelection, strPlayOrNot, 1) > 1 Then
RunScript()
Else
‘Run this procedure if user fails to supply valid input
InvalidChoice()
End If
End If
Else
‘If user supplied input is not found in the previously
‘built list of VBScript game names call this procedure
InvalidChoice()
End If
End If
End Function
Creating the PickAGame() Function
The PickAGame() function, shown next, is charged with displaying the contents of the
VBScript game console whenever it is called. It does this by first building a primary display
string that consists of a list of all VBScript games that have been found, as well as instruc-
tions for getting Help, information about the script and its author, and for closing the game
console.
The display string, which is aptly named
DisplayString, is then plugged into a VBScript
InputBox() function, thus displaying information about your VBScript games and providing
the user with a means of selecting those games.
‘This function displays the main VBScript game Console and collects
‘user input
Function PickAGame()
strDisplayString = strSelection & vbCrLf & _
“Or Type: [Help] [About] [Quit]” & vbCrLf

PickAGame = InputBox(“W e l c o m e t o t h e” & vbCrLf & _
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Chapter 12 • Combining Different Scripting Languages
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vbCrLf & “V B S c r i p t G a m e C o n s o l e !” & _
vbCrLf & vbCrLf & “Pick a Game:” & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
strDisplayString, strTitleBarMsg, “”, 50, 50)
End Function
By default, all WSH and VBScript pop-up dialogs are displayed in the middle of the display
area. However, in the previous example I specified values of 50 and 50 as the last two attributes
of the
InputBox() function. These two values specify the location where the pop-up dialog
should be displayed on the user’s screen. In this case, the pop-up dialog will be displayed in
the upper-left corner of the screen. This keeps it handy without crowding the display area
in the middle of the screen, where the VBScript games are displayed.
Creating the RunScript() Function
The RunScript() function, shown here, is very straightforward. When called, it uses the
WshShell object’s Run() method to execute the VBScript selected by the user, as specified in
the variable called
PlayOrNot.
‘This function starts the VBScript selected by the user
Function RunScript()
objWshShl.Run “WScript “ & strPlayOrNot
End Function
Creating the InvalidChoice() Function
The InvalidChoice() function, shown next, is responsible for displaying a generic error mes-
sage using the VBScript
MsgBox() function whenever the user provides the VBScript Game
Console with invalid input. Examples of invalid input include numbers that have not been
assigned to a VBScript listed in the console, such as –4 or 9999, as well as misspelled names

of listed VBScript games.
‘This function is called whenever the user provides invalid input
Function InvalidChoice()
MsgBox “Sorry. Your selection was not valid. A valid “ & _
“selection consists of one of the following:” & vbCrLf & _
vbCrLf & “* The number associated with one of the listed “ & _
“VBScript games” & vbCrLf & “* The name of a listed “ & _
Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Second Edition
“VBScript game” & vbCrLf & “* The name of a listed “ & _
“VBScript game plus its file extension” & vbCrLf & _
“* Help - To view help information.” & vbCrLf & _
“* About - To view additional information about this game “ & _
“and its Author” & vbCrLf & “* Quit - To close the “ & _
“VBScript Game Console” & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
“Please try again.”, , strTitleBarMsg
End Function
Creating the HelpFunction() Function
The HelpFunction() function, shown next, uses the VBScript MsgBox() function to display
additional help information about the VBScript Game Console. It is called anytime the user
types help and clicks OK.
‘This function displays help information in a popup dialog
Function HelpFunction()
MsgBox “Additional help information for the VBScript Game “ & _
“Console can be found at:” & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
“www.xxxxxxxx.com.”, , strTitleBarMsg
End Function
Creating the AboutFunction() Function
The final function in the VBScript, shown next, is responsible for displaying information
about the VBScript Game Console and its author. It is called whenever the user types about
in the VBScript Game Console and clicks OK. As you can see, the function consists of a sin-

gle statement that uses the
MsgBox() function. The information included here is really just
a brief template; I leave it to you to finish adding whatever content you think is appropriate.
‘This function displays information about the VBScript Game Console
‘and its author
Function AboutFunction()
MsgBox “VBScript Game Console © Jerry Ford 2002” & vbCrLf & _
vbCrLf & “Email the author at: ”, , strTitleBarMsg
End Function
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Chapter 12 • Combining Different Scripting Languages