About OrcaScript
OrcaScript allows
you to write batch scripts to process PowerBuilder applications
and files without using the PowerBuilder development environment.
You can use OrcaScript to get the latest version of a target from
source control, build the target PBLs,
deploy components to EAServer,
and compile PowerBuilder executable files—all without operator
intervention.
Using OrcaScript with source control
The targets you obtain
from source control using OrcaScript could be placed on a network
build computer that is shared by PowerBuilder developers. This is
especially advantageous for large shops with fixed working hours:
the builds could be done nightly by running an OrcaScript batch
file, and an up-to-date version of the targets and libraries would
be available at the start of the next work day.
Developers could then use OrcaScript or operating system commands
to copy the shared files directly to their local computers. Although developers
would still connect directly to source control from their local workspaces,
refreshing the targets in the workspaces would be much faster since
compilation times for complex targets would be greatly minimized.
Batch file order
If you include
OrcaScript commands in a batch file, the file is read line by line. Each
OrcaScript batch file must begin with a start session command
and end with an end session command. You can
save the batch file with any extension. You run the batch file by
calling the OrcaScript executable on a command line and passing
the batch file name as an argument:
|
1 |
OrcaScr115 myOrcaBat.dat |
If you use relative directories in the OrcaScript batch file,
create the batch file in the directory that is the required root
directory at runtime. This must be in the same directory or in the
path above a directory containing the files referenced by the batch
file.
When you use relative directories, the OrcaScript batch file
is portable for all users. However, users must make the directory
where they copy the batch file the current directory (the one displayed
in the DOS prompt) before invoking OrcaScr115.exe.
The command to start the OrcaScript executable can also take the
following parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| /D | Sets variables that are valid in the batch file |
OrcaScr115 /D myVar1=value1 /D myVar2=value2 myOrca.dat |
| /H or /? | Prints syntax help to screen | OrcaScr115 /H |
Caution You should not run an OrcaScript batch file if PowerBuilder
is currently running on the same computer. If the PowerBuilder development
environment is not shut down while OrcaScript is running, your PowerBuilder
libraries can become corrupted. For this reason, casual use of OrcaScript
is not recommended.
Error handling
Each line of an OrcaScript batch file either succeeds or fails.
If a command fails, subsequent commands are not processed and the
OrcaScript session is ended. An error message is printed to the
command window.
Comments
A semicolon (;) indicates that the rest of the line is treated
as a comment.