3.5 Application Definition Elements

Application definitions use various symbols to define the function of each line. The following table lists the definitions for these symbols.

Table 3-3 Symbol Definitions

Symbol

Description

#

Use the number of this symbol to define a line of text as a comment field. Comment fields are used to leave notes.

Any line that starts with a # is ignored.

Use comment lines for the following:

  • Defining sections of an application definition, for example the login window and Change Password window.

  • Explaining complex sections.

  • Removing command lines during creation and editing of the application definition. This saves continuously deleting and rewriting lines while testing.

  • Making notes such as when the application definition was written, what version of the software it was written for, and so on.

When used as part of a command, such as Class or Type, the sym-bol specifies a numerical value.

You can use these numerical values to specify a target for the com-mand.

" "

Use quotation marks to group together text or variables that con-tain spaces. Quotation marks are used with commands such as Type, MessageBox, and If -Text.

For these command lines to work, you must use quotation marks in the follow-ing method to group the text together:

  • Type "Database 2"

  • MessageBox "Please confirm your log in details."

  • If -Text "Login failure"

$

Use the dollar sign to define the use of a Novell SecureLogin variable stored in the directory for later use by that user.

These variables are used to store information such as user-names and pass-words.

?

Use the question mark to define the use of a runtime variable. The values of these variables are not stored in the directory; they are reset each time Novell Secure-Login is started.

Alternatively, with the use of the Local command, these variables are reset each time the application definition is started.

These variables are used to store temporary information, such as counting, data processing, and date information. The question mark is also used with several internal system generated vari-ables.

%

Use the percentage sign to define the use of a directory attribute. The attributes available vary depending on the directory in use, and the setup of the directory.

Examples of the attributes you can use are FCN and %Sur-name.

NOTE:Quotes are required around the variable if the attribute name contains a space. For example,

Set ?text "%Login Time"

or

Messagebox "%Given Name"

For more information, see Section 4.1.2, Directory Attribute Variables.

!

Use the exclamation mark to define the use of a passticket. A passticket is a one-time password (OTP) that is generated by using a combination of an encryp-tion key, encryption offset, and the current time.

Such passwords are only valid for a short period of time (gener-ally between 30 seconds and 2 minutes). You can manu-ally define the encryption key and off-set, or the Novell SecureLogin can generate it automatically.

If the exclamation mark is included as the first character in a text string, then precede it with a backslash, or Novell SecureLogin attempts to define a passticket. For example, Type \!xyz" types "!xyz" to the applica-tion.

\

Use the backslash with the Type and SendKey com-mands to specify the use of a special function.

The backslash is used along with values to perform the sim-ulation of pressing keys. Examples of frequently used func-tions are provided in the fol-lowing list:

  • Alt-F: Alt+F on the keyboard in Windows and Web applications.

  • \D: Delete key in a Windows and Web applications. Not applicable to terminal emulators.

  • \N: Enter key in a Windows and Web applications. Not applicable to terminal emulators.

  • \T: Tab in Windows and Web applications.

  • \-T: Shift+Tab in Windows and Web applications.

@

Use the same way as the backslash symbol, except its use is limited to HLLAPI-enabled emulators.

This symbol is used along with values to perform the simu-lation of key presses. For example, use @E to simulate pressing Enter in a terminal emulator application.

-

Use the hyphen as a switch within several commands, such as If and Type.

The hyphen is used along with values to modify the behavior of com-mands (such as -Raw), or switch on or off certain functions (such as -YesNo).