Product Documentation

PDK 6.0 Documentation

VBScript Converter - Graphical Interface

The VBScript Converter includes a graphical interface for converting VBScript to Perl. It allows users to:

easily compare the original VBScript or VBA code with the results of the conversion
open saved VBScript code snippets and programs in the Input pane
edit, copy, cut, and paste code in the Input and Output panes
save input or output code
set conversion options

Panes

The VBScript Converter graphical interface displays both an Input and Output pane by default. These windows can be resized by clicking and dragging the vertical divider. 'Ctrl'+'Click' toggles between single pane views, and 'Shift'+'Click' toggles view splitting (Note that these shortcuts are accessed by clicking on the toolbars in the the Input and Output panes).

Input

The Input pane displays VBScript code snippets and programs for conversion. Code can be pasted into this pane from the Windows clipboard or loaded from a file. The code is syntax-highlighted and can be edited and saved. The toolbar in the Input pane contains the following options:

Select Type Library: If necessary, use the drop-down list to specify the type library that the script will use.
Run Conversion: Converts the code currently displayed in the Input pane into equivalent Perl in the Output pane.
Cancel Conversion: Cancels a running conversion.
Clear Input: Clears the Input pane.
Open Input: Load input text from a file. If the Input pane already contains code, you are prompted to save it.
Close: Hides the Input pane.

These functions are also available from the drop-down menus. See the Drop-Down Menus for keyboard and mouse shortcuts.

Output

The Output pane displays Perl code produced by the VBScript Converter. This output can be copied and pasted into a Perl program displayed in an editor (e.g. Komodo or Emacs). The toolbar in the Output pane contains the following options:

Copy All: Copy the entire contents of the Output pane so that they can be pasted into a Perl script.
Save: Save the contents of the Output pane to a file.
Close: Hide the Output pane.

Drop-Down Menus

File menu

New Input ('Ctrl'+'N'): Clears the Input pane. Prompts to save changes, if the current contents of the Input pane are not saved.
Open Input ('Ctrl'+'O'): Load input text from a file.
Save Input ('Ctrl'+'S'): Saves the code in the Input pane. Prompts for a filename if the code is currently unsaved (e.g. pasted from the clipboard).
Save Input As: Saves the code in the Input pane. Prompts for a filename even if the contents are currently saved as a file.
Recent Files: Displays a list of recently accessed Input files.
Load Clipboard Contents: Pastes the contents of the Windows clipboard in the Input pane.
Save Output: Saves the output of the conversion. Prompts for a filename if the code is currently unsaved.
Save Output As: Saves the output of the conversion. Prompts for a filename even if the contents are currently saved as a file.
Exit: Closes the VBScript Converter.

Edit menu

Cut ('Ctrl'+'X'): Cuts the selected text, saving a copy in the Windows clipboard.
Copy ('Ctrl'+'C'): Copies the selected text to the Windows clipboard.
Paste ('Ctrl'+'V'): Pastes text from the Windows clipboard at the current cursor position.
Undo ('Ctrl'+'Z'): Undo the last change.
Redo ('Ctrl'+'Y'): Redo the last change.
Delete ('Del'): Delete the selected text.
Select All ('Ctrl'+'A'): Select all text in the current pane.
Copy All: Copy all text in the current pane.

View menu

Input: Toggles display of the Input pane.
Output: Toggles display of the Output pane.

Tools menu

Convert ('Ctrl'+'R'): Converts the code in the Input pane and displays the results in the Output pane.
Cancel ('Ctrl'+'Break'): Cancel the current script conversion.
Options: Displays a dialog box for configuring the VBScript Converter settings. Choose from the following options:

Help Menu

Contents ('F1'): Displays the VBScript Converter documentation.
About VBScript Converter: Displays VBScript Converter version information.