Need some programming advice.

[Ritalin Kid]

It's been a while since I've been into programming but I'm thinking of getting back into some basic VB programming.

My currently situation is this.. I work for a company that offers a very basic software package for our customers the only draw back is that each customer must enter account specific data in a number of fields so any time they reinstall the software we have a department that is setup specifically for it and it takes alot of time. In an attempt to make this process less painful I thought about creating a simple program that we as techs could use to create a batch file that we could send to our customers that would allow them to install the software and then run the batch file to set it up for their personal account.

The software uses simple registry entries and *.dat files in the software's directory to hold the configuration settings of the software. So my first question is VB capable of creating a program that would in turn export or create a batch file that can write to both the registry and the DAT files of the software?

[Ritalin Kid]

Anyone!? Vass.. someone?

[Ritalin Kid]

^Bump^ Anyone?

[Ritalin Kid]

^BUMP^ Any chance of getting this moved to the Web Development / Programming forum?

[DVNT1]

Originally posted by Ritalin Kid
...is VB capable of creating a program that would in turn export or create a batch file that can write to both the registry and the DAT files of the software?

You can use VBS to put in registry entries and copy files to specific locations. You could also use it to start other batch files.

[Ritalin Kid]

My main vision is to create a program that acts as a "Wizard" for the techs in my department to use. Basically we run the wizard and input the customer's acount info into the wizard. When you finish the wizard it exports or creates a batch file that we can send to the customer. After the customer installs our software all they have to do is double click the batch file which enters all the proper information into the registry entries associated with the software and also writes the proper information to the *.DAT files in the programs main directory.

Actually I'm not sure if a batch file would be appropriate and if a batch file is not capable of such a thing what would be?

[DVNT1]

...the wizard and input the customer's acount info into the wizard. When you finish the wizard it exports or creates a batch file that we can send to the customer

yes you can do this

As for the editing the DAT files, probably this too, but I'm haven't used a batch file to edit information within a file (I normally just create the file in one step).

[vass0922]

You could of PM'd me to check the thread
First time I've seen it.

You could do two things.

1. Generate a batch script as you mentioned.
2. Create two apps, one for generating a dat file and then one that the user can use to read in the dat file and make the necessary changes on the client side.... kind of like an upgrade utility.

Use FSO (file system object) to write the text file
http://www.sloppycode.net/fso/?m=61

You can definately use an app to write registry entries.

Do you have any specific questions?

[Ritalin Kid]

Actually after going through alot of the software's config files the only files that have to be altered in the program's directory are actually 2 text files that have renamed extensions but both files can be easily edited as text files.

So all I would need to do would be to create a wizard program that would export a batch file that in turn would write to the 2 text files in the program's directory and update the registry entries related to the software.

Can this be done with through one batch file generated by the program I create with VB?

In the end I'm trying to create one basic application that we as techs would use to easily create this batch file and just send that batch file to the customer on disk or via email.

[DVNT1]

Yes, you can use VBscript to create a form with inputs, then hit a button to create the bat file for distribution.

Vass is the kowledgeable one on this topic but I can fumble my my though some VBS.

[vass0922]

I have no idea how to edit a text file in a batch file

I think typically files are just completely written.
If you can dream up a batch file that will do the trick, writing an application or script is fairly easy.

So I'd suggest coming up with a batch file that does the job then you can just quickly write up an app that will generate that file... while writing the batch file make sure to note where the variables are.

[Ritalin Kid]

Here's the tricky part.. One version that we sent out by install file only installs to a different directory than the version of the software we send out on CDROM.

It's been so long since I have written a batch file much less used VB that I'm probably going to need to brush up on my programming skills.

Vass - don't be suprised if I bombard you with questions and if it comes down to it I would be willing to pay for your assistance.

[DVNT1]

Do you hav a sample of a batch file that does the install routine?

[Ritalin Kid]

So far I have a sample batch file that writes to the *.txt files in the program's directory. I've never created a batch files that edits the actual registry before so I'm looking for resources on how to do so.

The changes made to the registry are pretty basic so once I figure out how to create a batch file to change the registry entries everything should be set.

[vass0922]

maybe this will help

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Oper..._20695537.html

If anything the app can generate the .reg file as well, then use regedit from command line to import the reg file.

[DVNT1]

Here's a sample VBscipt that I made for a Paging program. It creates registry entries, creates some folders, copies some files, creates some shortcuts on the user's Desktop, and some other misc.
Not pretty and maybe not real clean but it works correctly.

Option Explicit

Dim MyShortcut
DIM MyDesktop
DIM DesktopPath
Dim strComputerName                                   ' Incoming computer name
Dim iSeed                                             ' Seed generated for Randomizer
Dim iRndNum                                           ' Current random number
Dim objNetwork                                        ' WScript Network Object
Dim iPos                                              ' Position counter
Dim strmail
DIM strComputer
DIM StdOut
DIM oReg
DIM strKeyPath
DIM PartNum
DIM VerNum
DIM ClientDir
DIM InfoDir
DIM strValueName
DIM dwValue
DIM strValue
DIM PrefDir
DIM ProgInfoPath
Dim objFSO                ' FileSystemObject
Dim objFiles              ' Folder object Files collection for all files in client folder
Dim objFile               ' File object to copy
Dim objFolder             ' FSO Folder Object
Dim objErrorFile          ' Object for Error Log

Dim sDestFolder1           ' Folder name for destination
Dim sDestFolder2           ' Folder name for destination
Dim sDestFolder3           ' Folder name for destination
Dim sSourceFolder         ' Folder name for source files
Dim sErrorLogLoc          ' Location for error log, this CAN Be a network location with UNC naming
Dim WshShell
Dim strScript

Set objNetwork = CreateObject("Wscript.Network")
strComputerName = objNetwork.ComputerName

iSeed = 0                                             ' Initialize iSeed to 0 to avoid errors

For iPos = 1 To Len(strComputerName)
  iSeed = iSeed + Asc(Mid(strComputerName, iPos, 1))  ' Add up the ascii values of each character to generate the seed
Next

Randomize iSeed                                       ' Insert the seed into the randomizer
' allows the numbers 1 - 9999
iRndNum =  Int((9999 * Rnd) + 1)                      ' this is your unique number

const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001
strComputer = "."
Set StdOut = WScript.StdOut

Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" &_ 
strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")

strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\InfoRad"
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

PartNum = "\2018-004"

strKeyPath = strKeyPath & PartNum
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

VerNum = "\9.6"
strKeyPath = strKeyPath & VerNum
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

ClientDir = "\Client"
strKeyPath = strKeyPath & ClientDir
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

InfoDir = "\ClientInfo"
strKeyPath = strKeyPath & InfoDir
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

strValueName = "ClientNumber"

dwValue = iRndNum

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'reset message counter for each workstation
strValueName = "MessageNumber"
dwValue = 0
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set client info and message path
strValueName = "MessagePath"

strValue = "\\proxy2\paging$\MSG"

oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue

'Set client preferences
strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\InfoRad" & PartNum & VerNum & ClientDir
PrefDir = "\Pref"
strKeyPath = strKeyPath & PrefDir
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

strValueName = "AutoSplit"

dwValue = 0

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue


strValueName = "BackdropStyle"

dwValue = 0

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'set directory for backdrop image
strValueName = "Bitmap00"

strValue = ""


oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue

'delete confirmation
strValueName = "ConfDelete"

dwValue = 1

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'automatic retries
strValueName = "RetryAuto"


dwValue = 1

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set number of message retries, default is 3
strValueName = "RetryCount"

dwValue = 3

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Seconds between each retry attempt, default is 20
strValueName = "RetryDelay"

dwValue = 20

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Retry all manual pages
strValueName = "RetryManual"

dwValue = 0

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Show Retry alert window, 0 for off, 1 for on
strValueName = "RetryWarn"

dwValue = 1

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Send queued messages upon clicking Send button, 0 for off, 1 for on
strValueName = "SendQonSend"

dwValue = 1

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue


'Set location of message signature
strValueName = "SigState"

dwValue = 0

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue


'Message signature text
strValueName = "SigText"

strValue = "User"

oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue

'Message signature text
strValueName = "SMTPReturnAddress"

strValue = "user@domain.com"

oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue

'Set text color in program window
strValueName = "TextColor"

dwValue = 0

oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set vertical position of the program window
strValueName = "WndXPos"
dwValue = 80
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set horizontal position of the program window
strValueName = "WndYPos"
dwValue = 102
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set program information
strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\InfoRad" & PartNum & VerNum & ClientDir
ProgInfoPath = "\ProgInfo"
strKeyPath = strKeyPath & ProgInfoPath
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath

'Distribution code
strValueName = "DistCode"

strValue = "3000"

oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue

'Set ExpireCount
strValueName = "ExpireCount"
dwValue = 0
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set FirstRun
strValueName = "FirstRun"
dwValue = 1
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set InstallTime
strValueName = "InstallTime"
dwValue = 0
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Set InstallTimeCheck
strValueName = "InstallTimeCheck"
dwValue = 0
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

'Serial number
strValueName = "SerialNo"

strValue = "9371785"

oReg.SetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,strValue

'Set revision settings
strValueName = "SettingsRevMajor"
dwValue = 1
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

strValueName = "SettingsRevMinor"
dwValue = 1
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

strValueName = "SettingsRevRelease"
dwValue = 0
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue

set WshShell = Wscript.CreateObject ("WScript.Shell")
strScript = WScript.ScriptFullName


' Read desktop path using WshSpecialFolders object
DesktopPath = WSHShell.SpecialFolders("Desktop")

' Create a shortcut object on the desktop
Set MyShortcut = WSHShell.CreateShortcut(DesktopPath & _
"\InfoRad Paging Client.lnk")

' Set shortcut object properties and save it
MyShortcut.TargetPath = "\\proxy2\paging$\Enterprise Client.exe"
MyShortcut.WorkingDirectory = WSHShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("h:\Program Files\InfoRad Enterprise NT Client")
MyShortcut.WindowStyle = 4
MyShortcut.IconLocation = _
MyShortcut.Save

sDestFolder1 = "H:\Program Files\"
sDestFolder2 = "H:\Program Files\InfoRad Enterprise NT Client\"
sDestFolder3 = "H:\Program Files\InfoRad Enterprise NT Client\MSG\"
sSourceFolder = "\\proxy2\paging$\client\"

' this could also be \\proxy2\paging%\Log\CheckInfoRadLog.txt 
' but may not catch all due to contention
sErrorLogLoc = "C:\CheckInfoRadLog.txt"      

Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

Set objNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network")
' may want to use OpenTextFile if used over network share
Set objErrorFile = objFSO.CreateTextFile(sErrorLogLoc, True) ' True to make sure it overwrites --- change to false otherwise
Set objFolder = objFSO.GetFolder(sSourceFolder)
Set objFiles = objFolder.Files

On Error Resume Next 

If Not objFSO.FolderExists(sDestFolder1) Then objFSO.CreateFolder(sDestFolder1)
  If Err.Number <> 0 Then
    objErrorFile.WriteLine Now() & " Error creating folder " & Err.Description
  End If

If Not objFSO.FolderExists(sDestFolder2) Then objFSO.CreateFolder(sDestFolder2)
  If Err.Number <> 0 Then
    objErrorFile.WriteLine Now() & " Error creating folder " & Err.Description
  End If

If Not objFSO.FolderExists(sDestFolder3) Then objFSO.CreateFolder(sDestFolder3)
  If Err.Number <> 0 Then
    objErrorFile.WriteLine Now() & " Error creating folder " & Err.Description
  End If
      For Each objFile In objFiles
  ' copy all of the files in this directory
    On Error Resume Next 
    objFSO.CopyFile objFile.Path, sDestFolder3 & objFile.Name, 0
  Next

msgbox "Completed!"

[DVNT1]

Here's an example of a form that can be made using VB script.

This particular script actual does a lot of user related setup in Active Directory and other programs even though it looks simple from the surface.

Note: I had to use a 3rd party OCX control (it may have been free)

[vass0922]

Nice work DVNT1!

I've seen people that have coded for a few years and not code that cleanly

I tend to be a bit anal about spacing, I work with a guy (not a full time coder, he's still learning) ... he doesn't have ONE extra space in between lines in the entire script
Bugs me
Also good to see you use 'Option Explicit' to require DIM's, most network admins just write it good enough to work and don't worry about DIM'ing variables. (another pet peave of mine)

Nice work

RK - DVNT's example is good for what you will be doing and let us know if you have any questions

[DVNT1]

Thanks Vass, to be clear, I didn't hand write it from scratch. I used other examples and perhaps even had help from you on this one (as individual questions anyway).

[vass0922]

Very well understood, I still copy and paste from other sources

YGPM also