3.4 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 Description of symbols

Symbol

Description

#

Use the hash 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:

  • Define sections of an Application Definition, for example the logon window, Change Password window, and so on.
  • Explain complex sections.
  • Remove command lines during creation and editing of the Application Definition. This saves having to continuously delete and rewrite lines while testing.
  • Make notes such as when the Application Definition was written, what version of the software it was written for, and so on.

When used within a command, the pound or hash symbol takes on a different meaning. 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. Further details on this use are provided within the command listings.

" "

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

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 on details."
  • If -Text "Log on failure"

$

Use the dollar sign to define the use of a 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. Further explanation on the various types of variables is provided in the next chapter.

?

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 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 that are 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.

!

Use the exclamation mark to define the use of a passticket. A passticket is a one-time password (OTP) that is generated 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 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, otherwise SecureLogin will attempt to define a passticket. For example, Type \!xyz" will type "!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 in conjunction with values to perform the sim-ulation of pressing keys. Examples of frequently used func-tions are provided in the fol-lowing table:

Simulated Key Stroke: Description

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 this symbol in a similar function to the backslash symbol, except its use is limited to HLLAPI enabled emulators.

This symbol is used in conjunction 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 in conjunction with values to modify the behavior of com-mands (such as -Raw), or switch on or off certain functions (such as -YesNo).