PrimalScript 2009 is the most advanced scripting IDE available. Not only does PrimalScript support the common set of features that one would expect from a modern editor, but a raft of features that make scripting simpler, faster and easier to deploy. PrimalScript's evolution over 10 years has allowed us to not only add the features that YOU want, but to streamline their user interface and simplify their usage. Take a look at what 10 years of experience gives you. You can click on most thumbnail images for a larger view.
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New Features for 2009 | ![]() |
PrimalScript 2009 makes the development cycle of Discovery - Experimentation - Implementation that most script authors use much more efficient. The new object browser in PrimalScript 2009 gives you access to the most commonly used type of objects; COM, PowerShell Cmdlets, WMI and the .NET framework. Each of these nodes shows the underlying objects in an organized, easy to understand way.
The Object Browser context menu lets you easily go to the specific place on MSDN, or as close as we can get you, depending on the subject. You can also directly google for the specific topic and that way also find sample code that may apply to your current development task.
PrimalScript 2009 has expanded its support for SQL in several major ways. Primary among these are the addition of SQL PrimalSense and the ability to edit and save stored procedures directly within a database. At any time you can press CTRL+space to pop up a list of tables, views and stored procedures that are available within your database. But PrimalSense works even better! In a new (or opened) SQL document start typing a SQL statement. After typing four characters, if PrimalSense recognizes the characters as belonging to an object in that connection, it will pop up a list of tables, procs, columns, etc. and select the first match.
A new integrated file difference tool provides more information about file differences. Syntax colored displays allow for faster review of individual modifications.
The new integrated command line shell window allows you to issue PowerShell, batch or even BASH shell commands on the fly to evaluate their results. It is an interactive and a fully functional shell where you can drag and drop command or code between the shell, the editor and the snippets browser.
Automatic brace matching allows you to visually verify correct placement of (), {}, [], <> brackets. Simply click the mouse just before an opening brace or just after a closing brace and the set will be highlighted.
The Live SQL query window enables ad-hoc query testing and live data manipulation. Write a query, press ENTER, and get your results in a grid format. This also allows you to easily export your results as text, CSV, HTML or XML.
A new WMI query window integrates easy testing and discovery of WQL statements and WMI class properties. Easily export your results as text, CSV, HTML or XML.
The new enhanced start page distinguishes between edited and simply opened files, so your current work does not get pushed "off the list" as easily. Additionally, any installed SAPIEN products are listed for one-click access.
PrimalScript 2009 includes a nice new feature that helps out in the script development process. You can now select a block of code, right click, and choose Disable Code. Enable / Disable code will comment out the selection, wrap the block in a ÒDisabled CodeÓ region and collapse that region.
Improves speed when opening ASP, HTML or HTA pages.
The new Quantum Script Host allows you to run your scripts (VBScript, JScript, PowerShell) with elevation on Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Easily create logon scripts with customized Welcome Messages and script execution. Its simple to select drive letters, Group Names, Share paths and printers. Redirect Favorites, Cookies and StartUp folders. Add your own Script actions for complete customization.
PrimalScript 2009's Script Packager contains two new target executables and easier manifest handling. These two new options allow you to package your PowerShell script into a stand-alone exe file. When executed, this .exe will not need a temporary script file or other special access to the file system. They also do not require a console window for anything that really only interacts with Windows or uses Windows Forms.
Snippet creation can now be done via a drag and drop process. Begin the snippet creation process just as previously, by selecting the text that is to be made into a snippet. Left click in the selected block and drag the selection to the snippet browser. Drop it into the appropriate language node and a NewSnippet entry is created.
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Creating Scripts | ![]() |
The WMI Wizard writes WMI code in VBScript or JScript at the click of a button. Explore WMI classes in any namespace, on any computer on your network. It even supports the use of alternate credentials in your WMI connections, so you can work with remote machines more easily. The code produced can be easily modified to meet your needs, giving you a fast and effective jump-start to scripting almost any WMI-related task.
The ADSI Wizard goes beyond boilerplate code, producing a complete set of VBScript classes that represent Active Directory objects. You'll not only find it simpler to retrieve objects from Active Directory, but you'll also have PrimalSense support for working with those objects. The ADSI Wizard takes the complexity out of Active Directory scripting and lets you produce useful scripts faster and more easily.
Quickly produce database code for VBScript or PowerShell! Connect to your database and produce a quick script to query data from whatever table you like. Or, produce "wrapper" classes that make database programming easier by providing PrimalSense code hinting and completion. Far more than just "boilerplate" code, this Wizard makes short work of even complex database operations.
PrimalSense consists of three primary elements. The first is syntax color-coding, which allows language keywords and other elements to be color-coded (and, depending on the language, properly cased) automatically. This helps you quickly spot typos and makes your scripts much easier to read.
Code hinting helps you remember language syntax without having to reach for the documentation. Pop-up "tool tips" display language syntax not only for built-in language functions and statements, but also for procedures and classes that you define.
Code completion helps you remember various language elements like object methods and properties, and helps complete COM instantiation and other statements. Code completion also works in the HTML Document Object Model (DOM). The code completion pop-up menus allow you to quickly scroll to the item you need, and complete your statement with a single keystroke.
Note that PrimalSense features vary depending on the scripting language you're using.
Live Syntax checking for VBScript, JScript, and Windows PowerShell helps you spot bugs as they happen by highlighting errors in your code. Simply hover over the offending line for a tooltip hint on how to fix the error.
For Windows PowerShell, VBScript, and JScript, PrimalScript automatically passes your script - as you type it - to the appropriate language engine for compilation. Compilation errors returned by the engine are highlighted in your script so that you can fix them before actually trying to run it. Hovering over any "error" line displays a tooltip with the actual error text.
Of course we support PowerShell, VBScript and JScript. But did you know we also support: ActionScript, Adobe Flex, ASP pages, ASP.Net Pages, ASP PowerShell Pages, AutoIt, AutoIt3, AWK, Batch/CMD, C, C++, C#, CH, CSS, CFML, Cold Fusion, Flash Communication Server, Flash JSAPI, HTML, HTA, IDM, INI Files, InstallScript, Java, JavaScript, Java Server Pages, KiXtart, LotusScript, Lua, Netscape LiveWire, Pascal, Perl, PHP, Python, Rebol, Registry Files, Resource Script, REXX, Ruby, SQL, System Policy Editor, Tcl, Visual Basic.NET, WinBatch, WSH, WSC, XML and XSLT.
Scores of Snippets are preloaded into PrimalScript - and you can easily make more! Snippets mean you never have to write the same code twice. Instead, just type the Snippet's name...
...and press Ctrl+J (or drag the Snippet into the editing window). Instant code! You'll script dozens of times faster when you can reuse code that's already been written, tested, and debugged, and the Snippets Browser keeps them nice and handy whenever you need them.
For languages supporting classes (including ActionScript, VBScript, and many others), PrimalScript's built-in class browser helps you keep your classes organized, and reminds you which ones you've created. It updated automatically as you work, providing a handy way to quickly jump to class definitions, remember class names, and more.
PrimalScripts lets you work with the powerful WSF and WSC (Windows Script Component) formats as easily as any other script. Special PrimalScript projects get you started with a Wizard, and then let you just focus on your script code.
Use intuitive dialog boxes to add methods, properties, command-line arguments, descriptions, and more, constructing your own COM components or command-line tools right from your VBScript and JScript code. You'll never see a bit of complicated XML formatting, since PrimalScript takes care of it all behind the scenes.
Of course, if you want to work with the XML, PrimalScript won't stop you: Open any WSF or WSC for text editing and get full color-coding and other PrimalScript editing advantages.
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Editing and Navigation | ![]() |
Quickly find text across files, drilling in subfolders, with our Find in Files functionality. Results are displayed in a convenient treeview in a dockable pane, and tagged in your script allowing you to easily browse results and see multiple "hits" within the same file. Double-click any "hit" to open that file and jump to the correct location. Intuitive icons tell you which files you've already reviewed so that you stay focused and efficient.
You're only human, so PrimalScript has built-in "oops resiliance." Like a text editor, PrimalScript has an "undo" button; unlike a mere editor, though, PrimalScript remembers thousands of past actions, including ones that took place in prior editing sessions! That's right you can undo editing actions that took place months in the past.
PrimalScript's built-in Recycle Bin even keeps thousands of lines of deleted text and script code, allowing you to recover it at any time.
Code folding helps you stay focused by hiding code that you aren't currently working on. Language procedures (like functions and classes) are automatically made "foldable," allowing you to show or hide them with a single click.
You can also define your own "foldable" regions, allowing you to quickly hide code you don't need to see, making it easier to focus on the code you do.
Debugging Windows scripts can be tough, but PrimalScript can help. The industry's first truly built-in debugger, PrimalScript's integrated VBScript debugger doesn't rely on the Microsoft Script Debugger or any other external tools. It's built right into PrimalScript, allowing you to set breakpoints in your script, run your script one line at a time, and see exactly what's going on.
A detailed breakdown of object property and variable values lets you see at a glance the data your script is working with. A real-time Expression Evaluator instantly evaluates even complex expressions for you, giving you further insight into how your script is functioning.
PrimalScript's PowerShell Debugger doesn't rely on Microsoft's PowerShell Debugger or any other external tools. It's built right into PrimalScript, allowing you to set breakpoints in your script, run your script one line at a time, and see exactly what's going on.
A detailed breakdown of object property and variable values lets you see at a glance the data your script is working with. A real-time Expression Evaluator instantly evaluates even complex expressions for you, giving you further insight into how your script is functioning.
PrimalDiff makes it easy to compare two versions of a file and spot the differences. Files are displayed side-by-side, with color coding to indicate content which is missing or different. Perfect when you're working with archived files, or when multiple individuals are working on copies of the same file. With a simple keystroke, navigate from one file difference to another; forwards or backwards.
PrimalScript provides native support for Windows Script Host (WSH) TrustPolicy, allowing you to set your local TrustPolicy setting through an options dialog instead of manually editing the registry.
PrimalScript can encode Windows and ASP scripts, using Windows' built-in script encoding. While script encoding isn't appropriate for protecting sensitive information like security credentials, it does help deter users who run your scripts from viewing your actual source code.
PrimalScript also includes built-in code signing capabilities, allowing you to digitally sign scripts using a code-signing certificate (not included). Scripts can be signed on demand, or you can configure PrimalScript to sign them automatically each time they're saved, making secure scripting completely effortless.
And you can manage Windows PowerShell execution policy from within PrimalScript, too!
PrimalScript makes it easy to navigate through your code. Navigate by class name, methods or properties. Quickly jump from function to function using the function list. Use HTML tree view navigation. Jump to a specific line number. Locate a persistent bookmark. Use regular expression search. Quickly return to your last edit position. Navigate to a specific piece of code simply by typing what you are looking for. Scroll your code both horizontally and vertically with the mouse wheel.
PrimalScript includes so many other editing features it it almost impossible to list them all, but here are a few you might be interested in: Auto case correction, HTML tag completion, drag and drop text, Show/hide whitespace characters, Auto indenting, Block indent/outdent, Rectangular block selection, Copy/cut word/line at once, Append to clipboard without replacement, Clipboard ring, Convert white space characters, Reformat paragraphs, Sort, bullet and number highlighted items, Unix/Mac line endings, Upper case/lower case/invert case/decimal/hex conversions, Unicode, Spell checker, Split Screens, Bookmarks, output redirection, print preview and the list goes on...
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Script and Project Management | ![]() |
Stay focused - do your file management right within PrimalScript itself. The File Browser lets you work with all local and network storage that you have, and supports full drag-and-drop integration with PrimalScript's editing window, built-in FTP client, and more. Create collections of files that belong together and that you work on as a group. Create subfolders to further organize your collection. You can narrow your focus to just the files you want without the clutter of seeing all the files on your drive.
PrimalScript supports robust project management features. Groups of files and folders can be consolidated into a single project, and managed as a unit. Projects can be checked in and out of comaptible source control solutions in their entirety, and projects can be published to development, test, staging, and production servers via file copy or FTP. A variety of project management modes are also available, allowing you to customize PrimalScript to whatever kind of project environment you're working in.
Now you can package VBScript, JScript, Windows PowerShell, and HTML Applications into standalone executables that run under alternate credentials. VBScript and JScript files can be executed entirely in-memory (no temp files for greater security) using the included SAPIEN Script Host (which includes itself in the package - no deployment needed). Works with VBS, JS, PS1, and HTA file types. Run scripts in serial or parallel, sign them to comply with WSH TrustPolicy, and deploy them throughout your enterprise.
Easily publish project files to multiple remote locations using FTP or network file copy - the perfect way to deploy to a staging farm or production farm, or just to get the right files in all the right places at the same time. Robust copy protocols keep you informed of the publisher's progress at all times and make even large deployment projects a snap.
Deploy script files to any computer or computers on your network, have the script execute locally on each, and bring the script output back to your PrimalScript window. It's the perfect, robust, and secure way to extend your administrative reach to the furthest corners of your enterprise, without ever leaving your desk.
PrimalScript makes deploying your code easy. Projects (which consist of multiple files and folders) can be deployed via file copy or FTP, using a single toolbar button. You can also deploy only the files which have changed, making deployment to a test server faster during the development cycle.
PrimalScript even has core FTP functionality built into the File menu, allowing you to quickly Get and Put files as easily as if they were located right on your local computer.
Why turn to a separate tool for transferring files? Just open PrimalScript's FTP toolbar and use the built-in, fully-functional, graphical FTP client to transfer files to and from remote systems. Remembers past connections automatically so that you don't have to, and provides drag-and-drop file transfer capabilities.
It's like entry-level source control: Go back in time on any file to retrieve past versions. A quick and easy way to see what's changed and quickly undo mistakes from months in the past.
PrimalScript remembers every version of a script that you save, and makes it easy to retrieve past versions. When you're working on your own and don't require a complete source control solution, the automatic File History feature provides similar abilities to quickly "roll back" to a prior version of a script.
Never forget! Automatically turns TODO and DONE comments (using your scripting language's commenting keyword or token) into a graphical project task list. Or, manually add your own personal tasks to keep track of other items.
Add special TODO and DONE comments to your scripts - in any language that supports commenting - and PrimalScript automatically picks up these comments...
...and converts them to project tasks. Double-click a task and you're taken right to its location within your code. It's a quick and easy way to keep track of things you have yet to do in your project.
You can also create personal tasks and categorize them however you like. These are perfect for keeping track of global tasks that aren't directly related to a particular section of code.
PrimalScript offers multiple file navigation shortcuts including tree navigation, file tabs for open files, easy access to global objects in your files, keyboard cycling among open files, single keystroke opening of similarly named files and persistent global bookmarks that when clicked open the enclosing file.
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Additional Features | ![]() |
Our user interface is clean and elegant, supporting dockable and hidden panes. It is totally skinnable for those that want a unique look as well as being Windows 7/Vista Aero aware.
The complete text of WSH and VBScript Core: TFM by Jeffery Hicks-more than 700 pages in all-is available as fully-integrated help. Move your cursor over any VBScript keyword or WSH object and hit F1 to see detailed explanations and lengthy examples. It's the manual Microsoft should have written-included right within PrimalScript!
Every edition of PrimalScript includes several bonus tools: A powerful WMI Explorer (who needs the documentation?), convenient graphical Windows PowerShell Help tool, PrimalForms Windows Application forms builder, and much more. Also included are a large collection of 100s of ready to run scripts from batch files, to VBScript, to PowerShell, to HTAs for managing Exchange 2003 and more!
PrimalScript can provide context-sensitive help for any of its supported languages, integrating directly with OEM language documentation, Web-based documentation, and so forth. Just tell PrimalScript where the documentation is on your computer (or what URL to use), and you'll be able to highlight language elements (such as keywords) and press F1 to receive instant help on the highlighted element.
Get context-sensitive help for any supported language in PrimalScript, using Web-based help, local HTML files, context-sensitive HLP or CHM files, or even Microsoft MSDN Library (any edition, even pre-.NET). Set up each language to work they way you want, highlight a keyword, press F1, and voila: Instant help for the highlighted keyword.
Connect to any Source Control provider that uses MSSCCAPI. This includes SourceSafe, PVCS and Perforce as well as SAPIEN's new simple-to-use ChangeVue. All have complete project support, simple connectivity, and all the features you use in your source control system. This tight integration allows you to manage source control right from within the PrimalScript environment. Files can be checked in or out, you can retrieve past versions, and even compare versions to one another.
PrimalScript projects also include source control capabilities, allowing an entire project to be checked in or out as a unit. This helps to streamline file management in large, multi-file projects and makes it easier and safer for a team to work on the same set of files.
What did you name that table or stored procedure, again? No need to reach for another tool to check - PrimalScript's Database Browser conveniently connects to any OLE DB or ODBC data source and displays database objects in an easy-to-use hierarchical view. Plus, it allows you to use a GUI to create the connection and generates a connection string you can use within your scripts.
Make XML editing a snap with PrimalScript's Visual XML Editor. Validates documents and makes it easy to remove, add, and modify elements and attributes. Of course, you can always switch to a regular text edit mode if you prefer, since PrimalScript lets you work the way you want to work.
Keep your favorite tools just a click away in the Tools Browser. Organize tools however you like, and even add your own tools or any of the other SAPIEN PrimalTools. Tools can even be passed parameters like the current script name, making it easy to set up one-click compiling, deployment, and other useful utilities. What's more, PrimalScript auto-scans your system at installation and pre-populates the Tools Browser with all the useful scripting and database tools it can find.
Keep your friends close... and your resources closer! The Info Browser keeps Web pages, PDF documents, and more just a click away. Preloaded with dozens of helpful links, you can easily create and organize your own, and every Web link is viewable right within the PrimalScript window. You can even import and export your Info Browser to share with friends and colleagues, and the entire Info Browser is keyword-searchable to help you quickly find exactly what you need.
Work with XML and HTML documents more easily with this built-in, hierarchical view of your document's structure. Intuitive iconography lets you quickly locate tables, elements, images, and other HTML or XML elements, and you can click any item in the tree to go directly to the corresponding code.
Talk about customization - there's not much in PrimalScript that you can't tweak to meet your needs! Start by customizing the color-coding PrimalScript uses for language. Prefer comments in muave on a teal background? Well, okay... who are we to judge? Customize the location of nearly every PrimalScript add-in, template, snippet, or more - choose a network location so that multiple PrimalScript users can share a common set of templates or snippets, for example!
The customization options are endless: Operational preferences, file backup, feature configuration, and much more. PrimalScript's designed to work with you, rather than forcing you to learn a new workflow. You can even customize your shortcut keys. After all, scripting takes place with the keyboard, not the mouse, so we want you to be comfortable and efficient.
We've produced a full-length book entitled PrimalScript: TFM (that's "TFM" as in "RTFM," by the way!). This book is completely free as a downloadable PDF (Acrobat Reader required). It's also included in PrimalScript, right on the Help menu.
PrimalScript: TFM (approx. 1MB PDF)
The book covers all of PrimalScript's major features (all editions), including full-color screen shots, step-by-step instructions, deployment details, and more. It includes a full index and is kept up-to-date with the latest PrimalScript product releases (be sure to download the latest copy of PrimalScript: TFM whenever you download a new version of PrimalScript).
Type just a few letters and PrimalSense now jumps in to help complete language keywords, variable names, function names, and more - less typing means fewer typos and faster results!
In addition to managing files and projects, PrimalScript allows you to manage your team as well. Enter contact information for each team member. Double click on a name to initiate an IM conversation or send an email. Integrates with team members that are working on the same project in ChangeVue source control.
Create PowerShell based applications with a visual interface using our Windows Forms Designer. Dazzle your friends and impress your dates with the ease and flexibility of this free tool. Our Forms Designer is included with every copy of PrimalScript and is also available as a free download for those that don't use Primalscript (Heaven Forbid!) (see Free Tools)




