Microsoft Script Control Final Release Now Available

NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the final release of the Microsoft® Script Control, a downloadable ActiveX
™
Control that gives developers an easy, language-independent way to incorporate basic scripting support in their applications.

The control, first previewed at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference in September, enables applications to host any ActiveX Scripting language. With this support, users can quickly create custom application functionality through simple scripts, much as they do with macros today. For example, a corporate developer could use the Script Control with an internal reporting application, allowing departments the ability to customize reports to meet their specific information needs.

“The Microsoft Script Control is a breakthrough for developers who want to create scriptable applications,” said Tod Nielsen, general manager of platform marketing and developer relations at Microsoft. “This is further evidence of scripting’s increasing usefulness in application development.”

Scripting Support for Visual Basic-Based Applications

Before the Microsoft Script Control, developers could make their applications scriptable by supporting the Microsoft ActiveX Scripting Interface. This support was practical primarily for developers writing their applications in C or C++. This control now is a quick and easy way for applications written with the Visual Basic® development system, C, C++ or Java to host scripting and provide simple debugging capabilities. To do so, developers need only include and distribute the Script Control, which uses the ActiveX Scripting Interface, in their applications through several lines of code.

“Many of our users want to enhance Acuity Financials, our Visual Basic-based accounting suite, using script,” said Brian Flynn of State of the Art. “The Microsoft Script Control provides an optimal way for us to meet our users’ needs with minimum development effort. It allowed us to focus on extended functionality instead of the infrastructure.”

For software developers who require a higher level of functionality than that provided by the Microsoft Script Control or the ActiveX Scripting Interface – including sophisticated language support, a forms package, and advanced debugging capabilities or an integrated development environment – Microsoft offers Visual Basic Applications Edition.

Broad Scripting Language Support

Through the ActiveX Scripting Interface, the Microsoft Script Control allows applications to support any scripting language. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 delivers two scripting languages, including Visual Basic Scripting Edition and JScript
™
development software, the industry’s leading implementation of ECMAScript. Support for additional scripting languages, such as Perl and Python, is available from third-party vendors.

“The Microsoft Script Control allows developers to extend their applications, while giving their customers a choice of scripting language,” said Jesse Boudreau, president and CEO of Pictorius Inc. “It’s great to see that Microsoft provides an easy way to extend applications, while preserving the choice of scripting language for the customer.”

Script Control Availability

The Microsoft Script Control, related documentation and a demonstration can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/scripting/ as part of the Microsoft Scripting Library. The control is available to all developers at no charge (connect-time charges may apply).

The control will also be demonstrated during the Microsoft Internet and Intranet Solutions Seminars on Dec. 10 and 11 at Fall Internet World 97. For more information on these seminars, visit http://www.microsoft.com/events/iworld/ .

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, ActiveX, Visual Basic and JScript are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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