Announcement. I've just released my first shareware product called Xscript. As the subject text says, it's a generic scripting environment based on independent programming logic expressed in XML, with an extension API for making target programs or modules available for Xscript usage. Using XML ensures a lot of benefits in itself that I can't go into here and now, but I'm willing to answer any questions and participate in any discussion on the subject if so needed.
As I'm a long-time MapInfo programmer, naturally Xscript comes with an extension for MapInfo� ProfessionalT, and I've added a more generic extension for Windows file system handling called WinFile. I plan on making more extensions available for free, presumably targeting various GIS programs. Theoretically any Windows program or module can be made accessible to Xscript in one way or another, and the extension API is open, so other developers are welcome to add to the Xscript extension repository. The extension for MapInfo Professional fills the gap between the possibilities of the MapBasic window (interpreted but without programming logic like loops and branching) and MapBasic (with it all but compiled). It utilizes the simple Integrated Mapping interface, the Application object, to feed MapInfo Professional with MapBasic formatted commands and expressions. Like what is possible with VB or Delphi, but again interpreted, not compiled. Xscript also allows one to submit command string to "target application extensions", i.e. MapBasic programs, utilizing the built-in RemoteMsgHandler subroutine functionality. The inspiration for building Xscript came from my frustration over the Integrated Mapping interface that required one to build yet-another-program for every new task. I wanted a more generic and reusable programming tool, and the result of these efforts became Xscript. Xscript's targeted at power users, not developers. I.e. it's for users with MapInfo Professional, but without MapBasic or VB. With Xscript one gets complete seperation of programming logic and target application execution, which makes testing and debugging considerably easier. And the online DTD (Document Type Definition) ensures syntactical correctness. There's no IDE and compiler, just the Xscript interpreter itself, the Xscript Engine. Xscript is shareware, but the trial/demo/unregistered version of Xscript Engine is fully functional and without time limitations. However, it'll only run in interactive GUI mode, registration will add batch mode and enable command line options. Please refer to the included manual and the product home page at http://www.xscript.dk This Xscript site also contains samples for each available extension (or will along the way). I hope that this tool will fulfill a need and come in handy for a lot of you. Lars V. Nielsen GisPro.dk _______________________________________________________________________ List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe MapInfo-L" in the message body.
