Creating a WSC component

Overview

Using the script components you can build components without the need to learn another language such as Visual Basic or Visual C++ . Some examples of their usage could be form processing , email validation or even database access.

WSC technology comprises of 3 different parts which are the WSC runtime which is implemented in the scrob.dll , Interface handlers and the actual WSC files which contain the actual information about the component .

The best tool for the job is the WSC component wizard which yo can download here . This tool helps greatly in producing the basic skeleton of your WSC component .

Create our component

In this first example we will create a fairly useless but functional component which displays a messagebox .

First of all you start the Windows Script Component wizard from the Microsoft Windows Script folder . You are now presented with your first dialog box , in this box you enter the name of your component , the filename , the progid , the version number and the directory the component will be saved in . The progid we use in this example is HelloWorld.SayHello . In figure 1 you can see what we have entered clearly

figure 1 : the first step entering your name , ProgId etc

Now press the next button and move onto the next dialog box . In this step you can define what scripting language you wish to use , implementation support and if you wish to enable error checking and debugging . In our example (figure 2)we have selected VBscript , do not wish any special implementation support and we do want error checking and debugging

figure 2 : the characteristics of the component

Once again press next and we will move on to the next step which allows you to add properties but our component does not have any

figure 3 : adding properties

So we click on next and move on to the next step which allows us to add methods , we have a method called SayHello . So click on the Name column and enter SayHello , this method has no parameters so we will leave this blank.

figure 4 : adding our SayHello method

Click on next and we move on to the 5th dialog box which you use to add your events , this example doesnt have any so we just click on next and move to the final step.

figure 5 : adding events

Now for the final step , this simply lists all the details of your script that you have entered such as ProgId , name , events , properties , methds etc . Press finish to build the framework for your component .

figure 6 : finishing off

In the next installment we will add functionality to the skeleton component , register the component and then show you how to use the component

Part 2