IMacros

Macros are hardly something new. As computers made the transition from command line interface (an interface with just a keyboard) to a graphical user interface (which introduces a mouse and more impressive visuals), a sense of fluid efficiency was lost. Macros bridged the gap between these two types of interfaces by presenting the opportunity to automate tasks with a simple button tap or two. iMacros takes the idea of macros to a practically unprecedented level. This software, which runs as a simple extension in your browser, allows you to record a snippet of activity and set it to repeat at your request. At its most basic level of functionality, iMacros can help regular users automate the boring aspects of their everyday browsing experience. This could mean filling out complex forms, automatically logging you in to the accounts you use on a daily basis, or downloading files from a cloud account. Whether you want to more easily start your daily routine or set your cubicle to process some simple functions even when you're out of the office, iMacros promises a simple alternative to doing it yourself. The features offered here are surprisingly complex. Using iMacros' image recognition technology, you can log a button or other image you'd like to click, and iMacros will remember it, even if it moves to a new location on the page in a later instance. Meanwhile, multi-threading allows you to run multiple instances at the same time or even stack them to work in succession with one another. Form filling is especially complex. The information you most commonly use in online forms will be saved in plain text and automatically applied to the forms you want to autocomplete, and you can go in and change these files at will. All of your data can be encrypted for the sake of your personal privacy. But the technology really shines when you start looking at its application for data mining and web development testing purposes. These types of jobs requires exceedingly tedious tasks repeated ad infinitum, but iMacros can take over much of that workload so you can focus on more important matters. Since test cases work across many of the most popular browsers, you can test your site's compatibility in multiple browsers at the same time. iMacros can even do automated testing of AJAX sites, which have developed a notorious reputation for their complexity. Data mining is equally as easy. Whether you're looking to check the pricing of your competitor's products then automatically adjust your own storefront to outbid them or you're looking to scour associated sites in search of sales leads, a simple macro can get the job done. Full integration with Excel allows you to easily transfer data from a spreadsheet to a website table or vice versa, and iMacros coordinates intuitively with a wide selection of APIs.

These suites are expensive ($99.98 Personal Version 12.5.1 ; $499.95 Professional ; $999.98 Enterprise Plus) I have heard of Selenium, watched a number of tutorial YouTube videos and considered it; but I wanted a tool, actively supported 5 years from now -- which is uncommon with 90% of freeware. I've tried all of the iMacros development suites. I currently own Enterprise, to aid me in compiling realtime stock charts, market analysis reports, trend analysis, and compiling recommendations for stocks I should invest in. The time saved is invaluable. I also have over 25 years of software development experience in languages such as C, C++, Javascript, HTML, XML, XSLT, CSS, Python, and Bash Shell, and I use all of these daily to interface with the tool... I looked forward to the iimPlayCode API that's only available in Enterprise. But the interface has quirks and still is buggy ...but when they fix it -- the suite will well be worth $1K: to be able to develop code on-the-fly, without prior learning, opens the door long-term for trend-trading AI...