The Unofficial Macro Scheduler Puzzler of the Week 6

[JRL]

I thought I'd write a little script that wrote to itself.

Open the Macro Scheduler main menu and start a new macro. Paste in the following line. Save the script as "Write to me" and exit the editor.

Code: Select all

WriteLn>%script_dir%Write to me.scp,wres,MessageModal>I wrote to me

Running the script once should add a MessageModal> line. Running the script a second time should display the message we wrote the first time we ran the script. For some puzzling reason it doesn't work. Hmmm, very puzzling.

How would you go about writing a script that can modify itself? 20 points and bragging rights to the "best" solution as determined by our panel of judge.

[jpuziano]

Hi JRL,

This one was so easy, it makes me wonder if its a trick question.

It doesn't work because you omitted the slash \ after %script_dir%

Just add the slash \ as shown below and it works fine...

Code: Select all

WriteLn>%script_dir%\Write to me.scp,wres,MessageModal>I wrote to me

Or was there something else you were looking for?

[Marcus Tettmar]

It also won't work when run from within the editor because the script is locked for editing and can't be written to.

[JRL]

Good job jpuziano!

...trick question

Or puzzler... One and the same.

This one was so easy...

Then why did it take two days for a response?

There are several system variables that are directory names:

• WIN_DIR
  Windows Directory Path
  
  SYS_DIR
  Windows System Directory Path
  
  SYS_NATIVE
  Native System Directory Path Bypassing 64 Bit Redirection
  
  TEMP_DIR
  Windows Temp Directory Path
  
  DESKTOP_DIR
  User's Desktop Path
  
  USERDOCUMENTS_DIR
  User's Documents Path
  
  PROGRAM_FILES
  Program Files Folder (Will be x86 folder if running on x64)
  
  PROGRAM_FILES_NATIVE
  Native Program Files Folder (e.g. "Program Files" not (x86) on x64)

If you want to use any of these as part of a file name, they all need to be surrounded by percents, and all but TEMP_DIR need to be followed by a backslash.

@Marcus,

That's true. Hadn't thought about that but it could have thrown off a potential correct answer if they only tried it in the editor.

[jpuziano]

This one was so easy...

Then why did it take two days for a response?

I responded when I saw it... I'll have to get back to reading the forums daily.

There are several system variables that are directory names:

• WIN_DIR
  Windows Directory Path
  
  SYS_DIR
  Windows System Directory Path
  
  SYS_NATIVE
  Native System Directory Path Bypassing 64 Bit Redirection
  
  TEMP_DIR
  Windows Temp Directory Path
  
  DESKTOP_DIR
  User's Desktop Path
  
  USERDOCUMENTS_DIR
  User's Documents Path
  
  PROGRAM_FILES
  Program Files Folder (Will be x86 folder if running on x64)
  
  PROGRAM_FILES_NATIVE
  Native Program Files Folder (e.g. "Program Files" not (x86) on x64)

If you want to use any of these as part of a file name, they all need to be surrounded by percents, and all but TEMP_DIR need to be followed by a backslash.

Yes, this last bit about TEMP_DIR being different has thrown me a few times... so when I use one of the above system variables, I usually write a quick one-liner and run it in the editor to see what the value is... and to see if it includes the trailing backslash or not...

MDL>%TEMP_DIR%

...then code accordingly. Yes I know I could use the Debugger and Watch List but the above is faster/easier.

Of course it would be nice if ALL the above System Variables that are Directory Names included the trailing slash... however since changing that now would break a lot of old code, leaving it alone seems better... I guess it just evolved this way.

I often visit the following Help Topic though...

System Variables

Environment Specific Values:

OS_VER
Operating System

WIN_DIR
Windows Directory Path

SYS_DIR
Windows System Directory Path

SYS_NATIVE
Native System Directory Path Bypassing 64 Bit Redirection

TEMP_DIR
Windows Temp Directory Path

Since TEMP_DIR is the only one that is different, could we get this help topic updated... perhaps like the following?

System Variables

Environment Specific Values:

OS_VER
Operating System

WIN_DIR
Windows Directory Path

SYS_DIR
Windows System Directory Path

SYS_NATIVE
Native System Directory Path Bypassing 64 Bit Redirection

TEMP_DIR
Windows Temp Directory Path *includes a trailing backslash \

That would be all I'd need to remind me that TEMP_DIR is the special one.

Thanks and take care

[Dorian (MJT support)]

I'd never noticed that. After all these years!

I'll mention the help file to Marcus and ask if he wants me to edit it.

JP, I just noticed your 9th anniversary of joining the forum is coming up. Happy anniversary.