iMacros

iMacros is a browser-based application for macro recording, editing and playback for web automation and testing. It is provided as a standalone application and extension for Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer web browsers. Developed by iOpus/Ipswitch, It adds record and replay functionality similar to that found in web testing and form filler software.[6] The macros can be combined and controlled via JavaScript. Demo macros and JavaScript code examples are included with the software. Running strictly JavaScript-based macros was removed in later versions of iMacros browser extensions. However, users can use alternative browser like Pale Moon, based on older versions of Mozilla Firefox to use JavaScript files for web-based automated testing[7] with Moon Tester Tool.

iMacros
Original author(s)Ipswitch, Inc.
Stable release
12.5 / November 7, 2018 (2018-11-07)[1]
Operating systemWindows 7 or later[2]
PlatformIA-32 and x86-64[2]
Available inEnglish + 10 other languages
TypeForm filler
Scripting
Server monitoring
Software testing
Web scraping
LicenseProprietary commercial software[3]
Websiteimacros.net
iMacros for Chrome
Stable release
10.0.5 / September 17, 2018 (2018-09-17)[4]
PlatformGoogle Chrome
LicenseFreeware[4]
Websitewww.iopus.com/iMacros/ Edit this on Wikidata
iMacros for Firefox
Stable release
10.0.2.1450 / July 9, 2018 (2018-07-09)[5]
PlatformMozilla Firefox
LicenseFreeware[3]
Websitewww.iopus.com/iMacros/ Edit this on Wikidata
iMacros for Internet Explorer
Stable release
12.5 / November 7, 2018 (2018-11-07)[1]
PlatformInternet Explorer
LicenseFreeware[3]
Websitewww.iopus.com/iMacros/ Edit this on Wikidata

History

First created in 2001 by Mathias Roth,[8][9] iMacros was the first macro recorder tool specifically designed and optimized for web browsers[10] and form filling.[11] In April 2012 iMacros was acquired[12] by Ipswitch. In 2019 Ipswitch itself (and thus iMacros along with it) was acquired by Progress.[13] In November 2022 Progress discontinued iMacros.[14]


Features

iMacros for Firefox and Chrome offers a feature known as social scripting,[15] which allows users to share macros and scripts in a manner similar to social bookmarking. Technically, these functions are distributed on web sites by embedding the imacro and the controlling JavaScript inside a plain text link.[16]

Along with the freeware version, iMacros is available as a proprietary commercial application,[3] with additional features and support for web scripting, web scraping, internet server monitoring, and web testing. In addition to working with HTML pages, the commercial editions can automate Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, Silverlight, and Java applets by using Directscreen and image recognition technology. The freeware version of iMacros contains no control flow statements and, with a few minor exceptions,[17] complex or conditional code requires scripting available only in the commercial version.

Advanced versions also contain a command-line interface and an application programming interface (API) to automate more complicated tasks and integrate with other programs or scripts. The iMacros API is called the Scripting Interface. The Scripting Interface of the iMacros Scripting Edition is designed as a Component Object Model (COM) object and allows the user to remotely control (script) the iMacros Browser, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome from any Windows programming or scripting language.

See also

References
  1. "Version History". iMacros Online Documentation. Ipswitch, Inc. 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  2. "System requirements". iMacros | Web Browser Scripting, Data Extraction and Web Testing. Ipswitch, Inc. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  3. "iMacros Feature Comparison - Free and Business Editions". iMacros website. Ipswitch, Inc. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  4. "iMacros for Chrome § Version History". iMacros for Chrome Online Documentation. Ipswitch, Inc. 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  5. "Versions". addons.mozilla.org. Mozilla Foundation. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
  6. Firefox 3 Hacks, O'Reilly, 2008, ISBN 978-4-87311-375-3
  7. Manandhar, Niroj (2017-04-20). "Lightest browser to run iMacros JavaScript automated testing". Tech Junction. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  8. Butcher, Mike (20 October 2009). "Live from Munich – TechCrunch Europe seminar and meetup | TechCrunch". Retrieved 2017-08-27.
  9. "About a9t9 software". ui.vision. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  10. Goebel, Max et al. Digging the Wild Web. An Interactive Tool. Web information systems engineering - WISE 2007: 8th International Conference
  11. Huben, Jan, Domain Independent Automatic Form Filling. Web Engineering: 10th International Conference, ICWE 2010, Vienna, Austria
  12. "Ipswitch's Network Management Division Acquires iOpus Software". Reuters. April 24, 2012. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
  13. "Progress to Acquire Ipswitch, Inc". www.businesswire.com. 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  14. "Important Progress iMacros Product Update - iMacros.net Forum". forum.imacros.net. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  15. Quinn, Todd; Borkenhagen, Jennifer (March 19, 2009). "Firefox Extensions and Tools: Using iMacros and Zotero". Library Technology Conference. Library Technology Conference 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  16. "Automatic Google Search". Embedded sample imacro. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  17. "iMacros Macro or Script". iMacros wiki website. iOpus. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
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