Adding automation to applications

Automation in an application speeds up repetitive tasks, handles workflow, updates information, performs calculations, runs programs, and checks for errors.

You can add automated components to most design elements in a Domino® application: a database, a page, a frameset, a view, a form, or a document. The automated components include:

• Actions

  Use an action with a form or view to set up a user-activated task. You can make the action available in the Actions menu or as a button in the action bar. In particular, use actions to simulate Notes® menu items for Web browser users. Then, those users can complete Notes® tasks when accessing Domino® databases.

• Hotspots

  Use a hotspot in a form or document to set up a user-activated task. The hotspot can be a link to another Web site, database, or element in a database; a button; a pop-up; or an action.

• Agents

  Use agents to set up user-activated tasks, or background tasks, in any part of a Domino® application. Agents can be simple, such as moving documents to a folder, or complex, using Java™ programs to run multiple automated tasks at scheduled times. Agents are stored with databases, but you can use them to run automated tasks for views, documents, fields, and databases.

• Programs that are activated by an event

  Associate an automated task with an event that occurs when a design element is used. For example, set up an error-checking automated task to verify user input after a user has saved a document.

To set up the tasks associated with these automated components, use the following:

• Simple actions

  You can add automation to design elements without knowing a programming language. You can select one or more simple actions from a list. Simple actions can't be customized and are not supported in Web applications.

• Formulas

  You can write an @function formula that runs by itself or with a simple action. You cannot combine LotusScript® in an @function formula. You can use some @functions in LotusScript® using the LotusScript® Evaluate function.

• LotusScript®

  LotusScript® is a complete scripting language that can support most application-wide tasks.

• JavaScript™

  Use JavaScript™ triggered in events (for example, onClick of a button or onLoad of a form) to interact efficiently with the user for tasks such as form and field validation and simulating dialog boxes. Use Common JavaScript™ to enter code that works on both the Notes® client and the Web.

• Java™

  You can write Java™ programs or import Java™ files into agents.