2.1: Using C#.NET

Warning!

In order to invoke screen-scraper from C#.NET, screen-scraper needs to be running in server mode. If you'd like a refresher on how to start up screen-scraper in server mode go ahead and follow the link, then return here.

Run the Script

Right-click and download the shopping.cs file. Move it into the desired directory.

From your .NET environment compile and execute the shopping.cs file.

Troubleshoot Problems (if any arise)

If that didn't go quite as you expected here are some things to check:

• Make sure screen-scraper is running as a server, and that nothing is blocking its ports (such as a firewall running on your machine).
• If you're using Visual Studio 2008 or later, the project Target Framework will need to be set to .NET 3.5 or later. However, do not use any .NET client frameworks since they do not have the required libraries for your project to compile.
• If you're running screen-scraper on a different machine than the one your C# class resides on, make sure that screen-scraper is allowing connections from the C# machine. In the screen-scraper workbench click on the (wrench) icon, then on the Servers button, and check the Hosts to allow to connect includes the IP address (or perhaps just the first part of the IP address) of the C# machine. You might also try blanking that property out entirely, which will allow connections from any host. When developing, this is usually the easiest approach.
• Check screen-scraper's log folder for a Shopping Site log file. If you find one it means that screen-scraper is at least receiving the request. Open the log file in a text editor to see if you find any error messages.
• If you still can't seem to get it to work feel free to post to our forum.

Understand the Script

Assuming that test worked, take a closer look over the shopping.cs class. The file is pretty heavily commented, so hopefully it makes sense what's going on. If not, try reviewing our .NET documentation or posting to our forum.

View the Log

When you invoke screen-scraper as a server it creates log files corresponding to your scraping session in its log folder. Take a look in that folder for your Shopping Site log file and take a look through it. It should look similar to what you see when you run scraping sessions in the workbench.