A scripting language for Windows? [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicates:
Best “official” scripting language for Windows programmers
Universal scripting language for Windows
What tools and languages are available for windows shell scripting?

I work in Windows and often find the need to code some script that manipulates files or basic string manipulation. Currently, I'm doing this using PHP but having a LAMP stack for this seems overkill. I've tried things like autoHotkey but the syntax and functionality is horrific.

So I'm looking for a scripting with: a) a sane syntax b) lots and lots of built-in libraries, functions, etc c) minimal setup. Preferably, I would like to code and run the script from my app launcher of choice, Executor

Answer 1

• Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell™ is a task-based command-line shell and scripting language designed especially for system administration. Built on the .NET Framework, Windows PowerShell™ helps IT professionals and power users control and automate the administration of the Windows operating system and applications that run on Windows.

• Windows Scripting Host

The Microsoft Windows Script Host (originally called Windows Scripting Host, but renamed for the second release) is an automation technology for Microsoft Windows operating systems that provides scripting capabilities comparable to batch files, but with a greater range of supported features.

Answer 2

Mafutrct has provided a very good response; if you are starting windows scripting then you should definitely begin with PowerShell. The built-in commands, PowerShell extensions and the ability to use the .NET runtime ensure that all your scripting requirements are met. I only wish for a better scripting language in PowerShell. If only it were Javascript :(.

I want to point out that WSH remains a viable scripting environment for windows. The reasons why I continue to use it are:

• Javascript, being both functional and prototypal, allows complex scripts to be written simply and easily
• Throw in WMI and almost everything windows related can be accomplished very easily. This is very useful for networking and system administration tasks
• WSH scripts can be run with equal convenience on both window and console (i.e. invocation by wscript and cscript)
• Writing a script is as easy as opening notepad, typing the script, saving it as a js (or .vbs, .wsh) file and double clicking the saved file
• Although it no longer remains strictly a script, a .js file can be complied for the CLR using the .NET’s Javascript compiler: jsc.exe. Like PowerShell, this provides access to the entire .NET framework

Some of the scripts that I wrote in the last few weeks were:

• Pulling data from MS SQL server, creating an Excel sheet and pushing the data into it, and mailing it to a client
• Formatting, parsing and filtering thousands of lines of VOIP switch log files and vector scripts
• Using Ajax to pull data from a remote server, calling a web-service and passing the data to it

• I spook my co-workers when they use my laptop by remotely “speaking” to them via the speakers with a script using Microsoft’s Speech API. Here’s the sample code:

  var sapi = new ActiveXObject("SAPI.SpVoice");
  sapi.speak("hello world");