Terminal Launcher is designed to work with three different classes of emulators:
Terminal Launcher also works with some special-case emulators, such as TeraTerm and GLink.
HLLAPI (High Level Language Application Programming Interface) emulators are designed to be easy to interface with. HLLAPI functions allow external programs, such as SecureLogin, to interact with and control the emulator.
HLLAPI emulators can often be configured as Generic emulators. However, generic configuration offers limited functionality.
For more information on configuring an HLLAPI emulator, see Type Commands Used with Terminal Launcher.
VBA emulators support the Visual Basic* scripting language. In most cases, it is possible to write a macro for the emulator. The macro prompts SecureLogin to enter credentials.
Configuring VBA emulators to work with Terminal Launcher is a specialized field and is specific to each emulator.
VBA emulators can often be configured as Generic emulators. However, generic configuration offers limited functionality.
Generic emulators don't feature HLLAPI support or VBA script support. Terminal Launcher interfaces with generic emulators though the Windows Clipboard by copying and pasting.
Because an emulator doesn't have to be programmed to allow external programs to interface with it, almost any emulator can be configured as a generic emulator.
Terminal Launcher supports two classes of generic emulators:
Normal generic emulators have Select All, Copy, and Paste functions available. These functions are most often found in the Edit menu, which is at the top of the emulator screen. However, buttons or keyboard shortcuts may be available.
Terminal Launcher uses these functions to interface with the emulator. Upon running a WaitForText command in a script, Terminal Launcher repeatedly simulates the selection of Select All, then Copy, which places the content of the emulator's screen on the Windows Clipboard. Terminal Launcher then searches the content of the Clipboard for the text it is waiting for.
If the text is not found, Terminal Launcher repeats the procedure, which usually takes about half a second.
If Terminal Launcher finds the text it is looking for, Terminal Launcher goes to the next line of the script, which is most often a Type command. The Type command is used to enter a username or password. To enter the text into the emulator, it is possible to configure Terminal Launcher to type the text in, or to use the Clipboard.
When using the Clipboard, Terminal Launcher copies the text (for example, a username) to the Clipboard and then simulates the selection of the Paste function of the emulator. This procedure copies the text to the screen of the emulator. When using the direct typing method, Terminal Launcher simulates pressing the applicable keys on the keyboard.
The process is then repeated for the password, and the user's login to the mainframe session is complete.
Advanced generic emulators have Copy and Paste functions, but do not have a Select All function.
For advanced generic emulators, Terminal Launcher follows the same process as for normal generic emulators, except for one difference. Instead of simulating the selection of Select All, Terminal Launcher clicks and drags the mouse cursor over the emulator screen. This procedure selects all the text that the emulator is displaying.
From there, the same process is followed.