That's the whole purpose of this type of task automation: to make routine Palm OS operations easy and quick to perform. This type of automated computer task operation is commonly known as a macro. Macro packages are commonly available for PCs. MacroPlay and pScripting provide macro capabilities to Palm handhelds.

What is pScripting?
pScripting is scripting language. A scripting language is specialized programming language that can be used to drive the operation of another program or system. Simply put, it allows you to easily write programs that can make your Palm handheld automatically perform tasks that would normally require you to perform them manually.

pScripting is the scripting language that's contained in the peditPro text editing software. It was first developed to automate operations within the peditPro software itself. However, when it's used in conjunction with LapTopHack, it allows the operation of pScripts to be performed on any program on your Palm handheld.

pScripting allows you to create very sophisticated macros for your Palm handheld. More than just a recorder of screen taps, this powerful programming language allows you to simulate the entering of Graffiti input and even to branch to different macro logic depending upon the data contained in your Palm handheld.

What is peditPro?
peditPro is a very sophisticated text editor for the Palm OS. It can utilize the built-in Memo Pad database or use its own database to support notes of greater than 4,096 characters in length. It supports very sophisticated find and replace operations, and it provides excellent support for keyboard use.

In summary, peditPro is a worthy addition to almost anyone's Palm handheld, just for its advanced text editing capabilities. What turned it into a "must have" for me is the fact that if you have it installed along with LapTopHack, its pScripting functions can be used with any Palm OS program.

How does pScripting work?
A pScript is basically a small computer program that's written using peditPro. When you execute a pScript, peditPro steps through its contents and performs the actions you have defined. pScripts are stored in a special location within peditPro called the scriptPad.

Below is an example of a simple pScript. When executed, it will automatically type "Hello World!" into a text area in your current application.

{hello::Hello/xsWorld!}

Although the idea of writing "a small computer program" may sound daunting, creating pScripts is actually very simple. The documentation that comes with peditPro contains extensive information on pScripting, along with lots of examples. The benefits you can derive from the small amount of work it will take for you to learn pScripting should make the effort well worthwhile.

Just what can pScripting do?
Let me give you an example of something I use pScripting for everyday. In my article, "A simple solution for staying organized," in the February 2002 issue of PalmPower's Enterprise Edition (at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200202/organized001.html), I showed a way to use the Memo Pad application for task management. I still use this technique today for laying out tasks to be performed in upcoming days. However, I now use an application called MindManager Mobile (at http://www.mindjet.com/products/mindmanager_mobile/mmme.htm) to create and maintain a "daily diary mind map" which contains, among other things, today's tasks to perform. In the near future I plan on writing an article about using mind maps with your Palm handheld.