Re: [libreoffice-users] I Would Like to Learn a Macro Language LO 5.0

On 10/04/2015 01:25 AM, mowestusa wrote:
> I'm running LibreOffice 5.0 on Windows 10.
> I really enjoy LibreOffice, and I would like to write some simple macros to get even more value out 
> of LibreOffice. Writing macros will be my first programming experience, but would provide the most 
> benefit for my profession since I mostly produce documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in my 
> vocation since I do a lot of teaching. I found some materials to assist with learning and getting 
> started with LibreOffice Basic:
>     - https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Macros
>     - https://help.libreoffice.org/Common/Scripting
>
> However, while looking through the LibreOffice 5.0 Help documentation, I found this under 
> LibreOffice Basic / Basic / programming page:
> Programming LibreOfficeLibreOfficecan be controlled by using the LibreOffice API.
> |     |  LibreOffice provides an Application Programming Interface (API) that enables you to 
> control LibreOffice components by using various programming languages. A LibreOffice Software 
> Development Kit is available for the programming interface.  |
>
>   
>
> |     |  For more information about LibreOffice API reference, please visit 
> http://api.libreoffice.org/  |
>
>
>
> |     |  Macros created with LibreOffice Basic based on the old programming interface will no 
> longer be supported by the current version. |
>
>
> Formore information on LibreOffice Basic, select "LibreOffice Basic" inthe list box.
> So before I start investing a lot of time in learning LibreOffice Basic, would I be better served 
> learning to script macros in a different language that would then access the LibreOffice API?If so, 
> which language works best using LibreOffice 5.0 on Windows 10 to write macros?
> Possible Macros that I would like to create:- A macro that automates the formatting of a paragraph, changing 
> the style, superscripting numbers, etc...- A macro that provides a quick way to look for Creative Commons 
> graphics by opening a browser search page. (It would be similar to the "Research" panel in Google 
> Docs)- A macro that provides a quick way to look up a meaning of a highlighted word in an online dictionary.

I do not have time to review all of this, but...

Ultimately, all supported languages use the same internal API, it is 
mostly a question of which language you prefer to use. External 
languages are generally more difficult to use initially because there 
are usually external things that you must link to. The do provide more 
flexibility than the built-in Basic because of their external libraries, 
better IDEs, and similar. On the other hand, Basic provides many things 
for free. For example, when you have an object (say a document, or a 
graph), that object typically will support services and interfaces. I 
won't trouble you with the details on this, but,

Suppose that an object supports an "index container" interface that lets 
me access the contained things based on a numerical interface. Before I 
can use that interface in Java or C++ (which I don't generally use to 
control LO), I must access that interface. There are two difficulties 
with this. First, I need to know which interface I need to get and 
second, I need to go to the trouble of getting it. This might not be 
overly difficult, but, with BASIC, that is generally hidden from you so 
you can directly use all of the interfaces on the object. It just makes 
it a bit easier. Sorry, I did not take the time to make this more clear, 
but, I have a class I need to go teach now.

--
Andrew Pitonyak
My Macro Document: http://www.pitonyak.org/AndrewMacro.odt
Info:  http://www.pitonyak.org/oo.php


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