Automation Engine Script Guide > Introduction > Advanced Users > Using Script Components

 Using Script Components

Many objects use the same processing steps in their scripts. AE recommends storing them in Include objects in order to avoid repeated creation and maintenance being required in every script. In doing so, you can acquire a collection of script components that can easily be maintained and reduce the time that is required for writing scripts considerably.

How to use Include objects:

  1. Store  frequently used blocks of script lines in Include objects.
  2. Call the script statement :INCLUDE indicating the name of the Include object in the particular script section in which the script lines should be included at runtime.
  3. The above script element also contains a parameter which can be used to adjust the script lines to an object as it facilitates a particular string to be replaced. This assignment is only valid for the current generation and does not change the Include object itself.

The Include object's script lines are copied to the object's exact script position at which :INCLUDE is called. Therefore, script functions refer to the particular object and not to the Include object. For example, the script function SYS_ACT_ME_NAME supplies the object name and not the name of the Include object.

You can use the script editor to display and edit the contents of your Include objects. You expand the Include object by clicking the plus symbol on the left edge. When you edit the script of an expanded Include object and store the object, your modifications apply to the complete Include object. This influences also all objects that use the modified Include object!
Use the rights assignment for users (write access to Include objects) if you want to prevent unwanted modifications in Include objects.