XLNT 2.0

Easy-to-learn enterprise-ready scripting

If you need to set up a complicated batch-processing job using the Windows NT command shell or an enterprise-level scripting language with batch-processing support, XLNT 2.0, from Advanced Systems Concepts (ASC), can help. XLNT is command and scripting language software that runs on NT, Windows 98, and Win95 systems. Modeled after Digital Equipment's Digital Command Language (DCL) for VMS, XLNT's scripting language is easy to learn. However, the software offers many features, so you might need time to master them.

The software is unique because you can execute XLNT commands as you enter them. Other scripting languages, such as Visual Basic Script (VBScript), don't provide this capability. Using the software's batch-processing mode, you can group XLNT commands together and submit them to the Batch Queue Management System (BQMS), ASC's batch-processing system, for execution. The software's ActiveX and Common Gateway Interface (CGI) modes let you execute XLNT scripts as part of HTML documents.

Easy Installation
The installation process is routine: The software asks you to provide an installation location, username, company name, and serial number. You can install several XLNT services--Net Service, Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service, and BQMS Queue and Execution Manager. These services let you manage your batch-processing environment.

I inserted the distribution CD-ROM into my Micronics-based NT server, and a menu of installation options appeared. After I installed XLNT's Professional Edition, I created scripts using the IDE, compiled the scripts using the software's xc command, and executed the scripts on my system.

What XLNT Offers
XLNT offers standard programming language features. You can create memory variables, and you can control the script flow using for/next loops, while loops, and if/then statements. You can call subroutines (using gosub), use goto commands to skip over sections of code, and create subprocesses. In addition, you can inspect and set various program options using the software's set/show commands. XLNT includes a series of built-in functions that let you interact with various system components (e.g., add and delete keys from the Registry) and perform other functions (e.g., format the date and time).

XLNT offers many commands for a script programmer. The software contains a series of file-processing commands that let you perform virtually any operation on a file or directory. A set of printer-management commands lets you control printer installation and configuration, and a series of share-management commands lets you configure your systems to share management of files and directories. Eight service commands let you manage NT-based services, and four security commands let you manage NT-based security permissions within your scripts.

The XLNT IDE is simple and user-friendly. Screen 1 shows a sample IDE session. You can access IDE functions from the menu bar. The toolbar below the menu bar provides easy access to the most common IDE commands. The pane below the toolbar contains the scripts you edit. The IDE displays error and other messages in the bottom right pane. The IDE includes a debugging feature that lets you set breakpoints in your program to help you track problems. When you use the IDE to create a script, you must create a new script file. When you're satisfied with the program, click Execute.

Several Versions
Several editions of XLNT are available. The Standard Edition contains XLNT's scripting language only. The Professional Edition includes the XLNT scripting language, an Integrated Development Environment, and BQMS. The Run-Time License Edition lets you deploy compiled XLNT scripts within your company so users can execute the scripts you develop. You don't need a Professional Edition or Standard Edition license on each computer to use the Run-Time License Edition. If you need a powerful scripting language, try XLNT.