Using webbrowser control to automate tasks?

[mrpega]

Is using the web browser control to automate tasks or is using httpwebrequest and the hard-coding method better way to achieve an efficient bot?

i heard that the wb control is slower but I don't see why is it slow..

 

[RandR]

You would be much better off with raw HTTPWebRequests.
The WebBrowser control is CPU intensive because it's something like a limited version of IE...All page loads are processed, images loaded, etc., etc.
With a WebRequest you don't load anything, you just POST and GET (text/HTML).

 

[zozor]

The webbrowser control SEEMS very easy to use. But if you want to multi thread, use proxy,fill forms etc its a PAIN IN THE ASS

 

[SEO20]

For small projects and getting things done I simple use u-bot to my scripting needs.

If you want to sell products you can't go this route off cause

 

[myvideoke]

So if I want to fill up a form, how can I use the WebRequest class?

 

[myvideoke]

I figured out how to fill up the form using the WebClient.UploadValues method but I'm not sure how to get the resulting next page after submitting the value. Anybody?

 

[Bacanze]

Read up on the WebClient class.

 

[lonzie]

The webbrowser control SEEMS very easy to use. But if you want to multi thread, use proxy,fill forms etc its a PAIN IN THE ASS

Webbrowser control is fine for filling in forms, but you are right for the multi threading, proxy etc it is terrible. To use proxy connection with the control requires the global IE proxy settings to be changed which is a bit of a pain in the backside.

 

[Money Man]

Wait, are you talking about the WebBrowser control in VB6?

If so, there is no need to fill in forms. If you are in fact speaking about VB6, please reply and let me know and I will reply with some code and a little tutorial that will make things A LOT easier.

I prefer passing headers with the Winsock control, and then manipulating the data returned in DataArrival, but in some instances I need to use the WebBrowser control.

Also, just a tip, you can disable images within IE. This makes things A LOT faster unless you need the images for Captcha or what have you. If you do not know how to disable images in IE, either search Google or I will cover it in my reply.

 

[daminkz]

Just a little insight - you cannot use the HTTPWebRequest Class if javascript manipulation is involved.

 

[SEO20]

My new toy is AutoIT - works great.
You should check it out:
http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/index.shtml

It's free too.