Scripting Guide > Programming Methods > Functions that Communicate with Users
Publication date: 07/08/2024

Functions that Communicate with Users

The following JSL functions enable you to communicate with users:

Show(), Print(), and Write() put messages in the log window.

Speak(), Caption(), Beep(), and StatusMsg() provide ways to say something to a viewer.

Mail() can send an e-mail alert to a process operator.

The JMP scripting language has methods for constructing dialog boxes to ask for data column choices and other types of information. See Modal Windows in JSL.

Tip: To preserve locale-specific numeric formatting in Show(), Print(), or Write() output, include <<Use Locale(1).

Write to the Log

This section describes the JSL functions that write information to the log.

Show

Show() displays the items that you specify in the log. Notice that when you show variables, the resulting message is the variable name, an equal sign, and its current value.

X = 1;
A = "Hello, World";
Show( X, A, "foo" );

x = 1

a = "Hello, World"

"foo"

Print

Print() sends the message that you specify to the log. Print() is the same as Show() except that it prints only the value of each variable without the variable name and an equal sign.

X = 1;
A = "Hello, World";
Print( X, A, "foo" );

1

"Hello, World"

"foo"

Write

Write() sends the message that you specify to the log. Write() is the same as Print() except that it suppresses the quotation marks around the text string, and it does not start on a new line unless you include a return character yourself with the \!N escape sequence.

myText = "Here is a message.";
Write( "Here is a message." );

Here is a message.

Write( myText || " Do not forget to buy milk." ); // use || to concatenate
Write( "\!NAnd bread." ); // use \!N for return

Here is a message. Do not forget to buy milk.

And bread.

The sequence \!N inserts the line breaking characters that are appropriate for the host environment. For an explanation of the three line breaking escape sequences, see Double Quotes.

Want more information? Have questions? Get answers in the JMP User Community (community.jmp.com).