Pass a Variable from VBS to JS

kriemer · March 5th, 2009, 04:21 PM

It is said that there are no stupid questions, but I think I may demonstrate the error of that statement.

I am so not a programmer that I am embarrassed to even be posting to this site, but desperation has made me swallow my pride.

I am currently running a VBScript as part of an automation scheme sequentially executing Excel, JS, and other routines.

I need to be able to define a variable in the VBS code that will be passed on to the JS. Typically this would be a file path. I have tried the following (but of course it does not work):

VBS code

Code:

Dim MyServerSideVariable
MyServerSideVariable = "c:\\XXXX.csv"
Set wshShell = WScript.CreateObject ("WSCript.shell")
wshshell.run """list.js""", 6, True
set wshshell = nothing

JS code

Code:

var MyClientSideVariable = '<% =MyServerSideVariable%>';
var AB, AA;
var fso, f, f1, fc, s;
var filename;

/* create AB object */
AB = new ActiveXObject("Broker.Application");
AB.LoadDatabase("Z:\\QP database");

/* retrieve automatic analysis object */
AA = AB.Analysis;

/* load formula from external file */
AA.LoadFormula("Z:\\current list.afl");

/* run Explore*/
AA.Explore();

/* and display report */
AA.Export(MyClientSideVariable); /*<<THIS IS MY CONTRIBUTION*/

AB.quit();

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance.

k

joefawcett · March 5th, 2009, 04:55 PM

Can you explain the environment? Are these two standalone scripts or are they running inside a web page, one as a server-side script (VBS) and the other as a client-side script (JavaScript)? I ask because the first script uses WSCript.CreateObject which won't work in a web pahge but the second has the <% %> delimiters which are used in ASP.

Also what is "list.js" or is that nothing to do with the current question?

kriemer · March 5th, 2009, 05:04 PM

The scripts are running on my desktop (everything runs on my desktop).

list.js is the name of the file being called (with the variable being passed to it), i.e., the file shown as JS code.

Hope this answers your questions, and thanks.

k

joefawcett · March 5th, 2009, 05:16 PM

Okay, firstly you will also need to get rid of the [CODEvar MyClientSideVariable = '<% =MyServerSideVariable%>';][/code]

Then you have anumber of choices. I think the easiest is to use a wsf file which can have both the VBS and the JS files included in it. You then can call the functions in one from the other. You have to make a couple of changes to wrap the code in functions though rather than just code that runs when it is hit.

Another way would be to write the variable to a file using the FileSystemObject. Then read it back from the js file.

A third way would be to use:

Code:

wshshell.run """list.js""" & " """ & MyServerSideVariable & """", 6, True

Then you could access the variable as

Code:

var MyClientSideVariable = WScript.Arguments(0)

But have you simplified the server-side example somewhat? The reason I'm asking is that you could just run the JavaScript file and pass the variable on the command line and access as above.

kriemer · March 5th, 2009, 05:48 PM

I currently run the same JS code many times during a day with the only difference being the name of the file that is being saved to. My current state of ignorance thus requires me to keep and modify many instances of what is mostly the same code whenever I make a change. I am looking to pass variables from VBS (the initiating code) to JS so as to keep the code down to a minimum.

I'm afraid that I am somewhat at a loss even with your descriptions. For example, I don't see have (in your 3'rd example) anything gets passed to the client.

I'm sure it's just me.

Sorry for being so obtuse, and thanks again.

k

joefawcett · March 5th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Perhaps you can adapt these two scripts to suit your needs. Firstly PassArgs.vbs:

Code:


Dim oShell
Set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Dim sCommand
sCommand = """ShowArgs.js"" One Two Three"
oShell.Run sCommand, 6, True

Then ShowArgs.js:

Code:


function showArgs()
{
  var args = WScript.arguments;
  for (var i = 0, l = args.length; i < l; i++)
  {
    WScript.echo(i + ": " + args(i));
  }
}
function main()
{
  showArgs();
}
main();

kriemer · March 5th, 2009, 07:42 PM

Many thanks,

Hopefully I'll report back with my successful solution!!

k

kriemer · March 8th, 2009, 04:09 PM

In cases where I need to pass variables in VBS to 1 or more Java scripts
Example VBS code:

Code:

Set wshShell = WScript.CreateObject ("WSCript.shell")
wshshell.run """JS with Variable.js"" c:\FILENAME.csv", 6, True
set wshshell = nothing
wscript.sleep 30000

Set wshShell = WScript.CreateObject ("WSCript.shell")
wshshell.run """JS with Variable2.js"" c:\FILENAME2.csv", 6, True
set wshshell = nothing

Example JS code 1:

Code:

var MyClientSideVariable = WScript.Arguments(0);
>>>" specific code"<<<
AA.Export(MyClientSideVariable);

Example JS code 2:

Code:

var MyClientSideVariable = WScript.Arguments(0);
>>>" specific code"<<<
AA.Export(MyClientSideVariable1);

Hope this helps someone else.

If any other thought arise be happy to hear them.

k