Prerequisites for the Script Development Workshop

The Script Development workshop has been updated so that new topics as well as more advanced topics can be covered. There are several required prerequisites that must be completed prior to attending the new Script Development workshop.

  1. Either The Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS and MAGic workshop or the Basics of Script Writing with JAWS and MAGic workshop is required prior to taking the Script Development workshop. Before attending the Script Development workshop it is expected that attendees will already know the default behavior of JAWS and what can be changed without the use of scripts. The Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS and MAGic workshop teaches the basics of the Script manager user interface, Keyboard manager, Frames manager, and more, which are not covered in the Script Development workshop. The Basics of Script Writing with JAWS and MAGic workshop teaches fundamental concepts of script writing with JAWS and MAGic. If you have attended either the Supporting and Teaching workshop or the Basics of Script Writing workshop in the past two years, this will suffice to fulfill this prerequisite. Choose this link to read about the Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS and MAGic workshop. Choose this link to read about the Basics of Script Writing with JAWS and MAGic workshop.


  2. Complete, on your own, the Basics of Scripting Manual posted on our Web site. The examples and exercises in the Basics of Scripting Manual are not covered again separately in the Script Development workshop, and you are expected to know them prior to attending. Download it and work through all of these exercises prior to attending a Script Development workshop. Questions from this manual will make up part of the preregistration exam for Script Development with JAWS and MAGic. Use this link to download the latest version of the Basics of Scripting Manual.


  3. The Freedom Scientific Software Developer Network (FSDN) contains a list of all the script functions that are built into JAWS Screen Reading software including MAGic-specific functions. It also supports the latest PAC Mate features and several popular Pocket PC applications developed by and for Freedom Scientific. Knowledge of the FSDN and how to use it will be part of the preregistration exam, so get to know it and use it often. Use this link to download the FSDN.


  4. Completion of a preregistration exam for Script Development to show understanding of many of the basics of scripting principles. This exam will be sent to anyone who wants to attend the Script Development workshop and a passing grade is required. The purpose is to get the people in the class off to a quicker start. Our desire is to have everyone be able to start faster on more advanced topics. Our intent is that we should not have to spend the first day or day and a half getting people "up to speed" when we could be teaching more important and relevant information.


  5. Finally, while programming experience or background is not absolutely necessary, especially if you have completed these prerequisites, know that it is very helpful in understanding script development concepts.