To run scripts using the command-line-based script host (Cscript.exe)

• Type the following at the command prompt:

  cscript [script name] [host parameters] [script parameters]

  Where:

  script name is the name of the script file, complete with extension and any necessary path information.

  host parameters are the command line switches that enable or disable various Windows Script Host features. Host parameters are always preceded by two slashes (//).

  script parameters are the command line switches that are passed to the script. Script parameters are always proceeded by one slash (/).

Notes

• Each parameter is optional; however, you cannot specify script parameters without specifying a script. If you do not specify a script or any script parameters, Cscript.exe displays the Cscript.exe syntax and the valid host parameters.
• The command-based Cscript.exe supports the following host parameters:

  Parameter	Action
  //B	Specifies batch mode, which will not display alerts, scripting errors, and input prompts.
  //D	Turns on the debugger.
  //E:engine	Specifies the scripting language used to run the script.
  //H:cscript or //H:wscript	Registers Cscript.exe or Wscript.exe as the default application for running scripts. If neither is specified, Wscript.exe is assumed as the default.
  //I	Specifies interactive mode, which displays alerts, scripting errors, and input prompts. This is the default, and the opposite of //B.
  //Job:xxxx	Runs the specified job.
  //Logo	Specifies that the banner will display at run time. This is the default, and the opposite of //Nologo.
  //Nologo	Specifies that no banner will display at run time.
  //S	Saves the current command prompt options for this user.
  //T:nnnnn	Specifies the maximum time the script can run in seconds. You can specify up to 32,767 seconds. The default is no time limit.
  //X	Launches the script in the debugger.
  //?	Displays available command parameters and provides help for using them (same as typing Cscript.exe with no parameters and no script).

• The time out (//T:nnnnn) option prevents excessive execution of scripts by setting a timer. When execution time exceeds the specified value, Cscript.exe interrupts the script engine using the IActiveScript::InterruptThread method and stops the process.
• Windows Script Host also enables you to create .ws script files, with which you can call multiple scripting engines and perform multiple jobs, all from one file. For more information about these files, see the Windows Script Technologies Web site at the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/).

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