The Watch Object

Connect Workflow scripting offers a number of methods of communicating with your process by means of Connect Workflow automation object's methods and functions. The automation object is available in all 4 languages through their own syntax - the examples provided here are for JavaScript.

Note: While the functions here are in mixed case to simplify reading, it's important to note that some languages (especially JavaScript) are case-sensitive and will require the proper case. Examples in this chapter will always use the proper case when relevant.

Here is a list of the methods and functions that are available to you through the automation object (or "Watch" object). While these examples are all in JavaScript, you can click on any variable name to open a page to see examples for each supported language.

Variable Name	Description Example Usage (VBScript)
Script.ReturnValue	Returns a boolean True or False value to a Workflow scripted condition Script.ReturnValue = 1;
Watch.ExecuteExternalProgram	Calls and executes an external program in the command line.Watch.ExecuteExternalProgram("lpr -S 192.168.100.001 -P auto c:\\myfile.ps", "c:\\", 0, true);
Watch.ExpandResourcePath	Expands a Connect resource file name (e.g. invoice.OL-template) to its fully qualified path (e.g. C:\ProgramData\Objectif Lune\PlanetPress Workflow\Documents\invoice.OL-template). var fullPath = Watch.ExpandResourcePath("invoice.OL-template");
Watch.ExpandString	Retrieves the content of any Workflow string, containing any variable available to Watch, including data selections. var watchDate = Watch.ExpandString("%y-%m-%d");
Watch.GetConnectToken	Uses the default Connect Server host as defined in the Workflow preferences to log into the Connect Server and retrieve an authorization token. var tokenConnect = Watch.GetConnectToken();
Watch.GetJobFileName	Retrieves a string containing the job path and file name located in the job spool folder. var s = Watch.GetJobFilename();
Watch.GetJobInfo	Retrieves the content of a numbered job info (%1 to %9). var s = Watch.GetJobInfo(9);
Watch.GetMetadataFilename	Retrieves a string containing the job's metadata path and filename. This is useful when using the Metadata API in your script. (See Metadata API.)
	var s = Watch.GetMetadataFileName();
Watch.GetOriginalFileName	Retrieves a string containing the job's original path and filename. Note: this filename is generally no longer available if it has been captured by Watch. var s = Watch.GetOriginalFileName();
Watch.GetPDFEditObject	Is used to manipulate PDF files using the AlambicEdit API. The AlambicEdit library allows Workflow to access, create or modify PDF files.
Watch.GetPreferences	Retrieves a specific type of Connect resources when it is passed a file extension (e.g. "OL-template") or all Connect resources when it is passed an empty string. dim JSONString JSONString = Watch.GetPreferences();
Watch.GetResources	Retrieves a specific type of Connect resources when it is passed a file extension (e.g. "OL-template") or all Connect resources when it is passed an empty string. var allTemplates = Watch.GetResources("OL-template");
Watch.GetVariable	Retrieves the content of a local or global variable by name. var s = Watch.GetVariable("MyVariable");
Watch.InstallResource	Is used to copy or unpack resources, such as a Connect Designer template, Data Mapping Configuration, package file, etc., from the supplied path to the Connect Documents folder. Watch.InstallResource("c:\myfile.ol-package");
Watch.Log	Writes to the Workflow log file, or the message window when in debug - can accept multiple log levels from 1 (red) to 4 (gray). Watch.Log("Hello, World!", 3);
Watch.SetJobInfo	Writes the value of a string to a numbered job info. Watch.SetJobInfo(9, "Job info 9 Value");
Watch.SetVariable	Writes the value of a string to a local or global variable by name. Watch.SetVariable("MyVariable", "Hello World!");
Watch.Sleep	Pauses all processing for X milliseconds. Watch.Sleep(1000);