Visual DialogScript (VDS) is an interpreted programming language for Microsoft Windows, using dialog and graphic elements to create programs. VDS is similar to other programming languages such as Visual Basic, C++, or Delphi, as they use Windows API.
The syntax of VDS is straightforward.[1] Each command occupies one line and has a plain English name that clearly describes its purpose. Variables are typeless and can hold many kinds of information, such as numbers or text. Functions are clearly distinguishable with names that start with '@', similar to a spreadsheet.
The DialogScript language has a syntax similar to the MS-DOS batch language. It is designed for ease of use and efficiency when being interpreted by the run-time engine. There are 10 system variables, %0 to %9, which initially have the script file name in %0 and command line parameters in %1 through %9, just as in a batch file. There are also a further 26 user variables, from %A to %Z. The contents of all variables (including system ones) can be changed once the script is running. There are now also 4032 global variables. These variables begin with %%, a letter, then alphanumerics plus underscores (e.g., %%my_variable_1.) There is no limit on the length of these user-defined variable names.[2]
Comments:
# This is a single line commentREM This is a single line commentSimple Information Message Box:
info "This is the information text"Simple Warning Message Box:
warn "This is the warning text"Create a custom dialog box:
dialog create,<name>,<top pixel position>,<left pixel position>,<width in pixels>,<height in pixels>Write to the Windows Registry:
registry write,<root key>,<key>,<subkey>,<data>Display an input prompt dialog box, storing the result in the variable %A:
%A = @input("Please enter a value:")Julian Moss (1953 – October 24, 2014[1]) of JM-Tech/Tech-Pro Ltd. created Visual DialogScript. In 1998, after version 3.0, Emmanuel Daunizeau of S.A.D.E. Sarl took over the ownership and development of VDS. He modified and improved its syntax. The British company Commercial Research Ltd. currently markets VDS, though it is still the property of Emmanuel Daunizeau, who continues to develop it.
The developers have released several versions of VDS over time.
There are several versions available for download: