keep '#include' au3 file editable after compiling main exe

[pedrit0]

Hi all.

I have created an external au3 (a library of functions and vars) that is #included in a main script that i must compile.

I wish that the content of the library is not merged with the main script when compiling.

My goal is to keep the ability to modify the library even after the main exe is compiled and that these changes are effective when executing the exe.

I guess this is not possible using the standard #include method.

Is there a way to do that ?

thx a lot :-)

Edited February 2, 2017 by pedrit0

[Jfish]

I am having trouble understanding why you would need to do that?  If you want to read dynamic data into your application you can use a file.  You can also shellexecute au3 source files against the autoit exe.  Perhaps you can explain what you are trying to specifically accomplish for a more precise answer?

[pedrit0]

Hi Jfish

I have 2 files:

- mainscript.au3

- FunctionLibrary.au3 that contains the functions to be used by mainscript

I want to compile mainscript.au3 but not FunctionLibrary.au3 because i want to be able to modify it later without having to recompile the mainscript.

I know this behavior is not possible with the #include method that would merge the library to the mainscript during compilation. Which means that the external library would become useless.

So I am looking for another method.

[Jfish]

Yes, that much is clear.   But why do you need to modify the functions post-compiling of the exe without including them in the compiled code?  What specifically are you trying to accomplish?  There may be a better way.   

[pedrit0]

29 minutes ago, pedrit0 said:

because i want to be able to modify it later without having to recompile the mainscript

My only goal. For an IT project. The exe would run 'in production' on a server and its function library can be edited/updated without having to modify the main exe.

Can you develop about ' shellexecute au3 source files' ? Sounds interesting but when I google it it seems not to fit exactly to what I need.

Edited February 2, 2017 by pedrit0

[Subz]

What are the type of functions in your .au3 file?

[pedrit0]

To be more specific, this library strictly contains var statements and functions. No processing.

[pedrit0]

External functions that do not stick to the script own structure. These functions can be altered/modified without threatening the main script process.

The vars are global vars that could be used by several scripts later.

[pedrit0]

What I mean is that I cannot pass trough using ini or xml files as a workaround. The goal is really to store some functions in the library.

[Jfish]

How would the main script know about the new functions so as to execute them ... ini files would work for the vars, but you are saying you can't use those.  Why?  What is the difference between that and using an au3 file that contains the same info?

[pedrit0]

Oh I get your misunderstanding... sorry. I have made up this system:

- I have an ini file listing some steps of processings. Step# = FunctionName()

- I have the main script parsing the ini file and executing the iniread as a function call in a loop, whatever the function is and whatever its name. So no need to know the function for the main script.

- the function to be executed is stored in the functionlibrary.au3

- several persons need to update / add functions in the library without recompiling anything.

[Jfish]

sounds like executing raw au3 files against the au3 exe from your main script as fed by the ini would work ... 

I created a program called "scriptrunner" that did basically that.  You could record scripts, edit them, and sequence them to be run from the main application.  There may be other ways that are better but I will defer to others for those ... 

[pedrit0]

yep but my issue remains : how to keep the library out ???

[Jfish]

Edit: you should be able to execute those functions from the raw au3 .... uncompiled with parameters.  

 

Edited February 2, 2017 by Jfish

[pedrit0]

:-) that would be heaven if I could. These functions are to be called from the main exe.

[Jfish]

I know. 

ShellExecuteWait("AutoIt3.exe","funcLib.au3",@WorkingDir) ;execute scripts - look at the function - you can also pass parameters ...

 

[pedrit0]

I have just tried but the global vars declared in the library are not detected by the main script... but i think this a good clue and I try out all I can with that tomorrow. Tired. Going to bed. thx a lot for the time you have spent on the topic :-)

Edited February 3, 2017 by pedrit0

[pedrit0]

to be noted : when using that you must disable Au3Check before compilation... it won't like unexplicitely declared vars.

Edited February 3, 2017 by pedrit0

[alankam58]

@pedrit0 have you get this to work?

i'm looking for similar things for days now. i would like someting like MSScriptContol where you can reload updated script/function and then call it in your main exe.

Edited October 5, 2023 by alankam58

[Jos]

What is the reason you need to change the script code and that can't be done with an ini file?

Ps that member hasn't been around the last 6 years!

Edited October 5, 2023 by Jos