I think since the earliest days of AutoHotkey we have struggled with how to define what AutoHotkey is. Of course its automation software for windows.
It has long since grown beyond being a macro language
It never was really accurate to call it a keyboard shortcut tool.
Automation software for windows is a bit to vague but at least accurate. Recently a recruiter approached me based on my resume. apparently there is an entire booming tech field called RPA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotic_p ... automation
Basically there are paid companies that design 'bots' bots to mimic human actions on repeatable processes with clear logic.
Many have Gui's like Pulovers Macro Creator.
As i have started exploring this field it has become clear to me that AutoHotkey is not only RPA software its perhaps one of its inspirations as a field. From what i can tell popular suites like Automate Anywhere or Blue Prism offer nearly identical abilities and limitations, but aren't as flexible and robust. They seem to sacrifice some functionality for ease of use.
How do you all feel about us formally calling AutoHotkey RPA sofftware?
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 19 Feb 2017, 11:31
by tidbit
Seems accurate to me.
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 19 Feb 2017, 11:38
by guest3456
tank wrote:
How do you all feel about us formally calling AutoHotkey RPA sofftware?
i don't really like it.
some advertiser/marketer comes up with a new term to differentiate themselves and make their company unique when all they've done is reword things.
any programming language could be called 'RPA' software. thats what all computer programs do. automate repetitive tasks.
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 19 Feb 2017, 17:54
by Guest
The wikipedia page describes RPA as being like AI, and "code free".
They are configured (or "trained") using demonstrative steps, rather than being programmed using code-based instructions.
Definitely not talking about the same thing as ahk.
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 19 Feb 2017, 20:02
by tank
Well its not AI which is another nascent field coming in automation. RPA is all about mimicking user to execute tasks. This has become an industry term. Not just fancy marketing. but your thoughts are well received. We actually used to be packaged with a recorder as well
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 19 Feb 2017, 20:12
by guest3456
tank wrote:This has become an industry term. Not just fancy marketing.
many industry terms start out as fancy marketing, giving someone a competitive advantage. then everyone copies the terms to remove the advantage, and then they become standardized. see the related: BPA. then you have CRM, ERP software, etc, all made up terms that eventually caught on
i wasn't aware of the RPA term, so i'm glad you shared it. i do think that perhaps AHK can fall into that category to some extent
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 20 Feb 2017, 10:42
by TLM
Albeit contrived, I once described AHk as a MS Windows keyboard shortcut & application automation scripting language...
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 20 Feb 2017, 13:30
by joedf
my opinion rests with guest3456.
Re: « What's on your mind? »
Posted: 21 Feb 2017, 07:14
by Joe Glines
tank wrote:How do you all feel about us formally calling AutoHotkey RPA sofftware?
I think the fit is fine. I was just telling someone the other day, when I'm at a networking event I try and explain what I do with AutoHotkey and the term "automation" is interpreted very differently by many people. I think this term could help clarify what I work in however I'm curious what are other benefits /goals of using RPA software as a term to describe what I do with AHK?
Is this expected to be a way to get AutoHotkey adopted by more users?
Respect from the industry/market? (not just a "macro" / hotkey / hotstrings language)
Give us something more recognizable to head-hunters to put on our resume/LinkedIn profile? (btw- I'm 1'st connected with 665 of the 3,047 LinkedIn people that have AutoHotkey in their profile! If you haven't connected with me, please do!)