An automation script consists of a launch point, variables
with corresponding binding values, and the source code. You use wizards
to create the components of an automation script. You create scripts
and launch points or you create a launch point and associate the launch
point with an existing script.
You can also create library scripts, which are reusable
pieces
of programming language that automation scripts can invoke from the
body their code. Library scripts must be hosted on the same system.
Prerequisite skills
To automate tasks, you
must have knowledge in the following areas:
- Scripting language
syntax and operations
- Product configurations such as workflow
processes, escalations,
and actions
- Application data models and relationships
Experience
with
Maximo® business object (MBO)
API is an advantage although not a prerequisite.
Components
of automation scripts
For a script
to run, you specify the following components:
- A launch point
that defines the context for the script to run
- Variables and
corresponding binding values
- Source code written in a supported
scripting language
- Launch point
- A launch point defines the execution context for a script, for
example when a business object is updated or a value is entered into
a field. Five types of launch point are supported and the Automation
Scripts application provides a separate wizard application for creating
each type of launch point.
- Variables
and binding values
- You can specify the variables that determine
how information is
passed into or received from a script in the wizard applications.
Variables are not mandatory, but when you use variables it simplifies
the amount of code to be written and is easier to reuse the code.
- Source code
- You can write
source code in an external application and import
it into the Automation Scripts application. Alternatively, you can
enter code directly into the Source Code field
in the wizard applications. The source code must be written in the
languages that are supported by the following script engines:
- Mozilla
Rhino, version 1.6 release 2
- Jython, version 2.5.2