WordBasic

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WordBasic is a macro language that is used by Microsoft Word e.g. B. was used within Microsoft Office applications before Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) was also introduced for Microsoft Word in 1996 . WordBasic was used up to version Microsoft Word for Windows 95, also known as Word 7, to e.g. B. to record certain command sequences for text modification or for communication with other programs with a so-called macro recorder and run later at the push of a button or mouse click. You could then change the recorded programs in an editor or develop new WordBasic programs. Only with Word 8 or Word 97 did the word processing transition to VBA.

The macro programs were saved in a template file * .dot. The language is based on a basic dialect and was able to use the macro recorder to record commands controlled by the keyboard or the mouse and to execute them again later. E.g. communication with other applications (clipboard, other Word documents, Excel spreadsheets) For example, it is possible via DDE to use address information from a database for a form letter in Word or to query certain data for entering the form via an input window. Or the surface has been modified for special applications, e.g. B. by hiding functions of the command bar.

WordBasic is an independent programming language and allows extensive programs to be written and system resources to be accessed or other programs to be run. This also means that with Word Basic through in passed on Word files and led styles embedded macro viruses were carried out undesired functions on the infected computer. The macro viruses spread quickly after the possibility of their programming and simple examples were given in a computer magazine. An early representative of these pests came to be known as Melissa , the first being a computer virus called Concept . Early virus scanners were not yet able to detect and eliminate macro viruses.

National language syntax

WordBasic has a syntax adapted to the Office language installed in each case, which is intended to facilitate entry for those programmers for whom the usually English syntax is a hurdle. This means that a solution programmed in German Word is automatically translated into the respective English or French syntax when the template is opened in English or French Word. Comments are not affected by this, which means that program lines set in a comment are retained in their original syntax and, because they are not subsequently translated, cause errors if they are removed from the comment.

literature

  • Cordula Lochmann, Ralf Morgenstern: Office 95 for Windows, Developers Guide, macro programming. 10th edition. SAMS Markt und Technik-Verlag, Munich 1996, ISBN 3-87791-863-8 .