Which scripting language to use?

Owen101

Hi I want to create a desktop app (c# prob) that controls or manipulates a form on a 3rd party web page. This would save me loading the browser, loggin on, inputting data, clicking buttons etc. I would need to provide my own log on information as well of course.

Not having done much work in this area I was wondering would a scripting language like pearl, python, ruby allow me to do such? Which one is best IYO?

If using one of these would I be able to execute the script easily from my desktop app?

I was thinking script as may need to hook into the same script from applications on different platforms (eg mobile). Thanks for the heads up, just gathering info before I head down the wrong road!

Liam Byrne

I'm completely confused. If it's a desktop app and an existing form, then none of the web platforms apply.

And if it's a 3rd party web page (where you don't have any access other than the web) you're probably looking at a browser plugin.

But be careful; a lot of "automated" tasks like this could be viewed as "DoS" attacks or hack attempts, so if the 3rd party doesn't know about it then it mightn't work for long if they become concerned and block your IP.

syklops

Perl is your ownly man for something like this.

Check out:

http://www.perl.com/pub/a/2003/01/22/mechanize.html

I have used it before to automate actions on a website and it rocks.

Long live the Camel!

EDIT: I just realised I am wearing a perl camel t-shirt. Strange...

Owen101

Cheers, will start into pearl then was just looking for the start point

Liam, its definitely a small desktop application and not a web app (otherwise I may as well use the original site). Basically this thing would allow me to enter the same information into the desktop app as if using the 3rd party web site. Im just want to avoid loading up the browser! The 3rd party would know about me as Id be using the same login as if I was using the site directly.

I enter my data in the form in the desktop app, it goes away to the 3rd party website and, using the script or whatever in the background, enters my data there and clicks the submit button for me.

Although this all sounds very pointless, the automation factor would be a real time saver for me, especially if I can do a moble application to use the same script - its a v long winded process to get to the form on the web site I need if you follow my drift..

Pub07

You just want to autocomplete forms? And autohotkey script could do that no problem.

p

There's a library called CURL that's designed for exactly this. It's often used with Perl, but perhaps there's a C# port too. Here's what a quick google found me:

http://curl.haxx.se/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CURL
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/IP/urlnewwindow.aspx

Ginger

If its just posting data to a form, its pretty trivial in C#

Just open an network connection, set the http headers and post the data,

Snake Logan

If you're used to C# or Perl, that will probably do the job. Otherwise, I'd recommend trying Python or Ruby.

Dive Into Python has some good advice & sample code for HTTP stuff.