Using Siebel VB and Siebel eScript Formats

There are some important differences between the formats that Siebel VB and Siebel eScript use:

• Siebel eScript is case-sensitive. For example, theApplication is different from TheApplication. Siebel VB is not case-sensitive.

• Siebel eScript does not distinguish between a subroutine and a function. A subroutine cannot accept an argument. A function can accept an argument. In Siebel eScript, because every object interface method is a function, you must follow it with a pair of parentheses. You must use this technique if the function does or does not accept an argument.

In many instances, the only difference between the Siebel VB format and the Siebel eScript format is that the Siebel eScript format requires a pair of parentheses at the end. In these instances, this book only includes the Siebel VB format. To determine the Siebel eScript format, add the parentheses.

Differences Between Siebel eScript and ECMAscript

ECMAscript is a programming language that developers use to script a client on the Web. JavaScript is a type of ECMAscript. Siebel eScript does not include user interface functions. You cannot use it to animate or control a Web page. It includes the following functions that are not part of ECMAscript:

• SELib

• Clib

You can use these functions to interact with the operating and file systems, and for performing input and output file operations. These objects include functions that are similar to functions that the C programming language uses. For more information, see Siebel eScript Language Reference.

ECMAscript does not require you to declare a variable. It declares a variable implicitly as soon as you use it.