AutoIT is a free powerful scripting language for Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit machines) with a focus on GUI automation that can be used for various tasks, from routine automating operations to creating complex applications.

AutoIT's syntax is Basic-like, so the language is elementary to learn. AutoIt is written in C and is relatively undemanding on computer resources. Jonathan Bennet is the principal author and developer of the AutoIT project. We will tell you more about this software.

What is this program?

AutoIT for Windows is a free application for automating Windows GUI. It can simulate user actions in Windows, opening and closing windows, moving a mouse, pressing the keyboard and mouse buttons, getting statuses of windows items, and starting and controlling programs.

It allows you to create automation scripts to simulate user actions, such as text input and actions on system and program controls, as well as reacting to events, e.g., performing certain activities when a window with a specific title is opened. These scripts are useful for frequently repetitive tasks, such as installing similar programs on various computers.

The AutoIt language is simple and similar in appearance to Visual Basic and identical in functionality to general-purpose languages. Still, it has built-in tools to access events, processes, GUI elements, and programs. It includes a GUI framework that allows you to use simple Windows forms with typical graphical components in your scripts.

Primary features

The AutoIt language is close to modern BASICs: it is an imperative language with a small set of typical syntactic constructs and a simple structure. Two variables are supported: simple (scalar) variables and arrays. Simple variables are of variant types, i.e., they may contain values of any supported types. Arrays in AutoIt are dynamic and heterogeneous (they can resize and have values of any kind in cells). Multidimensional (up to 64 indices) arrays are supported. Data types are limited to strings, numbers, binary data, and logical values.

The available syntax constructs include three variants of conditional statements, loops, and the declaration of a user-defined function (nesting of functions is not supported). There is no modularity in the language. It is replaced by the ability to textually include some files directly into others using the C-like #include instruction.

The system library includes various functions, including string manipulations, calculations, file access, networking, vector, raster graphics, and data in different multimedia formats. The library also includes a simple GUI framework that allows you to easily create and use typical Windows forms with a standard set of controls. The latter feature will enable you to use AutoIt as a language for creating simple Windows programs with a traditional GUI. Support for many specific functions that give access to the Windows system, its settings, and its graphical user interface is the most crucial feature of AutoIt.

You can simulate keystrokes, mouse movements, and manipulations with windows and controls, track system events, and react to them. It is possible to automate Windows user tasks in a way that is impossible or difficult in other programming languages. The following features are supported:

• Working with strings, mathematical functions, regular expressions, support for Unicode, built-in macro variables containing "read-only" system information, the #include instruction for connecting libraries, working with file systems and text files, processing command line parameters, and analyzing and converting types of variables;

• Simulating user input with a mouse and keyboard in any application;

• Manipulating the windows of running applications (information and control);

• Global keyloggers and launching procedures by pressing hotkeys;

• Compiling into executable exe-modules;

• GUI building, basic controls, and user controls provided as ActiveX, drawing graphical primitives, working with trays, and standard file selection and directory browsing dialogs;

• COM support with event handling;

• The ability to call exported DLL functions, such as Win32 API, including callback, and working with API data structures;

• The AutoItX3.dll library (ActiveX component that allows you to use some features of AutoIt in any programming language via DLL and ActiveX/COM interfaces);

• Networking (TCP and UDP protocols and file downloading);

• Monitoring and launching processes on behalf of a specified account;

• Working with the registry;

• Clipboard handling;

• Playback of wav, mp3, and avi files;

• Support for User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista.

Conclusions

AutoIT for Windows is a free application that allows you to record and play scripts for performing various actions automatically in the operating system and programs running.

It helps users create automated scripts with a specific sequence of keystrokes and combinations, as well as mouse movements and clicks (or other manipulators, such as gamepads and trackballs). This feature is often used by professional users of personal computers who are tired of pressing the same keys constantly or professional gamers who create different bots in online games to perform repetitive gaming tasks.

AutoIt also supports working with clipboards, registries, files, and folders (reading, copying, and deleting), networks (TCP and UDP), and DLL and API functions. Moreover, it supports window management in Windows, browser automation, and many other valuable tasks.

The program has a powerful visual editor that can record the sequence of operations and text programming of operations for the fastest and most convenient creation of automated scripts (macros). The program also has a particular compiler to compile created scripts into executable exe-files, which can be later launched on any Windows computer autonomously (without AutoIt installed). Moreover, the library of this application contains a large number of ready-made scripts and various script examples and templates from developers. There is also detailed help for all functions.