Container UDF - Scripts interaction library

[MrCreatoR]

This UDF is no longer supported/developed, please check AppInteract UDF.

 

AutoIt version: 3.3.6.1

UDF versionя: 1.1

Description: Another scripts interaction method. Distinctive feature of this method, it's the ability to transfer whole arrays as data, and even COM objects.

System requirements: Win 2000+, IE 7 +.

Example:

Spoiler

[sENDER] - Interaction Demo.au3

#include <Container.au3>

$sVar = "Test"
$sValue = InputBox('Container', 'Please type a value for "' & $sVar & '" variable:')
If @error Then Exit

$oFSO = ObjCreate("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
$avArray = StringSplit('AutoIt is the Best!', ' ')

$oContainer = _Container_Open("storage", 1)

_Container_PutProperty($oContainer, $sVar, $sValue)
_Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "FSO", $oFSO)
_Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "Array", $avArray)

MsgBox(64, "Container", "Values are set. Now, before closing this message, open: [RECIEVER] - Interaction Demo.au3")

_Container_Close($oContainer)

[RECIEVER] - Interaction Demo.au3

#include <Container.au3>

$oContainer = _Container_Open("storage", 0)

If @error Then
    MsgBox(48, 'Container', '_Container_Open() failed!')
    Exit
EndIf

$vTestVar_Value = _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "Test")
$vFSOVar_Value = _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "FSO")
$aArrayVar_Value = _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "Array")

MsgBox(64, 'Container', '"Test" variable value: ' & $vTestVar_Value)
MsgBox(64, 'Container', '"FSO" variable type: ' & VarGetType($vFSOVar_Value))
MsgBox(64, 'Container', '"Array" variable type: ' & VarGetType($aArrayVar_Value))
MsgBox(64, 'Container', '"Array[1]" variable value: ' & $aArrayVar_Value[1])

Attachments:

Container_UDF_1.1.zip

Container_UDF.zip

Changelog:

Spoiler

v1.1

* Added IE version verification. This library requierd IE 7 (and windows 2000+).

* Better errors handling.

v1.0

First version.

Edited May 14, 2020 by MrCreatoR

[BillLuvsU]

Great stuff as usual mate. Haven't done speed tests yet but looking through the code I think its safe to say the transfer rates will be just fine. The entire setup is well done and easy to use, and I can't think of any possible compatibility issues off the top of my head. Good stuff.

[JohnOne]

Excellent.

Thats the simplest looking script for this sort of thing I've ever seen.

Havent tested objects yet, but sure will.

[JScript]

I've seen here on the forum many forms of communication between scripts, but his was the only one I've seen that can transfer arrays!

FIVE STARS!!!

[JScript]

Questions:

1 - What are the limits (size of text, multi-dimensional arrays)?

2 - Through the network?

3 - Windows version?

[JohnOne]

Here are my speed tests, getting between 4700 and 6500.

Sender.uu3

#include <Container.au3>

$oContainer = _Container_Open("storage", 1)

If @error Then
    MsgBox(48, 'SENDER', '_Container_Open() failed!')
    Exit
EndIf

ShellExecute("RECIEVER.au3")
Sleep(100)

_Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag", 0)

$i = 0
$iTimer = TimerInit()

While TimerDiff($iTimer) < 10000
    If _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag") = 0 Then
        _Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "Test", $i)
        _Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag", 1)
        $i += 1
    EndIf
WEnd

_Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag", -1)
Sleep(1000)
Exit

_Container_Close($oContainer)

Reciever.au3

#include <Container.au3>

$oContainer = _Container_Open("storage", 0)

If @error Then
    MsgBox(48, 'RECIEVER', '_Container_Open() failed!')
    Exit
EndIf

$vTest = 0

Sleep(100)

While 1
    If _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag") = 1 Then
        $vTest = _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "Test")
        _Container_PutProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag", 0)
    EndIf
    If _Container_GetProperty($oContainer, "ReadyFlag") = -1 Then
        MsgBox(0,"Test result","Recieved " & $vTest & " variables")
        Exit
    EndIf
WEnd

[BillLuvsU]

A quick thought, is there any way to poll the contents of the container? Perhaps returning an array of variable names?

[martin]

A quick thought, is there any way to poll the contents of the container? Perhaps returning an array of variable names?

I would guess there is no need. You only need to have the sender add all the names to a CONTENTS name and the reciever can read it. As the sender or reciever adds a name it could be added to the list.

@ MrCreatoR

Looks really good

How do you avoid 2 applications trying to change the same value at the same time? Or is it up the the script writer to ensure that doesn't happen?

[BillLuvsU]

I would guess there is no need. You only need to have the sender add all the names to a CONTENTS name and the reciever can read it. As the sender or reciever adds a name it could be added to the list.

@ MrCreatoR

Looks really good

How do you avoid 2 applications trying to change the same value at the same time? Or is it up the the script writer to ensure that doesn't happen?

No application except in the context of a rather complex system, such as more than just two scripts working in synchronization, like a plugin system of sorts perhaps. While it wont likely be used it would still be a nice feature.

[JohnOne]

I imagine the object might deal with that sort of thing, I've tried 4 scripts together without using a busy flag and it seems fine.

really top drawer this.

[ptrex]

@MrCreatoR

Does this work on a windows 7 - x64 ?

Tested this but no success.

Rgds

ptrex

[Andreik]

@ptrex

I just tested on xp x64 and work.

@MrCreatoR

Nice UDF

Edited March 27, 2011 by Andreik

[JohnOne]

For the recoed

win7 32

[ptrex]

I am getting a COM error on line 52 ?

What am I doing wrong.

I both tried a compiled an non compiled test. Both of them give errors ?

rgds

ptrex

[martin]

I am getting a COM error on line 52 ?

What am I doing wrong.

I both tried a compiled an non compiled test. Both of them give errors ?

rgds

ptrex

Maybe the CLSID for ShellBrowserWindow is not {C08AFD90-F2A1-11D1-8455-00A0C91F3880} in W7.

[Melba23]

MrCreatoR,

Cracking UDF!

It must be the easiest inter-script communication method yet. Thank you for posting it.

M23

[Klaatu]

What is the persistency (if that's a word) of the data? Or should I say of the container? Does it exist only as long as a running script has it open? Until a shutdown? Or does it survive a reboot?

[wraithdu]

Maybe the CLSID for ShellBrowserWindow is not {C08AFD90-F2A1-11D1-8455-00A0C91F3880} in W7.

Nope, the demos worked just fine for me, Win7 x64, running as either 32-bit or 64-bit scripts. FYI, this CLSID does NOT exist in the registry... so I'm not clear on exactly how it work, but it does.

[wraithdu]

What is the persistency (if that's a word) of the data? Or should I say of the container? Does it exist only as long as a running script has it open? Until a shutdown? Or does it survive a reboot?

In a quick test, the container exists until it is closed with _Container_Close(), even if you close the initial creating application. I did not test a reboot though... I'm going to assume that won't survive.

[trancexx]

In a quick test, the container exists until it is closed with _Container_Close(), even if you close the initial creating application. I did not test a reboot though... I'm going to assume that won't survive.

Container is shell window. Explorer's window. If you add:

$oContainer.Visible = True

... below setting status text to $sName in _Container_Open you will see what I mean.

If the UDF isn't working that's because IE is less than 7 or some other shell is used instead of explorer.exe. Let's ask ptrex what's the case with him?

Btw, UDF is leaking because it never closes created windows. It just losses the reference by setting StatusText property to empty string.

Other than that it's great. Thanks for sharing MrCreatoR.