IfWinActive vs WinActive()

[WeThotUWasAToad]

Hello,

I noticed that the docs for IfWinActive include an alert stating:

Deprecated: This command is not recommended for use in new scripts. Use the WinActive() function instead.

The syntax shown for WinActive() begins with:

UniqueID :=

Question 1: What does that mean and must it be included?


The syntax also indicates that WinTitle should be included (as it is for IfWinActive), but the following example is given:

Code: Select all

if WinActive("ahk_class Notepad") or WinActive("ahk_class" . ClassName)  ; "ahk_class" need not have a space after it.
    WinClose  ; Uses the last found window.

I've always preceded IfWinActive, with the command SetTitleMatchMode, 2 and then input some part of the WinTitle. For example:

Code: Select all

SetTitleMatchMode, 2
IfWinActive, Excel
	{...}
Return

Question 2: Has that simple form changed and must the class now be included if using WinActive()?

Question 3: What is the simplest/shortest way to retain a hotkey's native function as the Else action if (and only if) an If criteria is not satisfied?

For example:

Code: Select all

Space::
SetTitleMatchMode, 2
IfWinActive, Excel
	{...}
Else
	Send {Space}
Return

Thanks

[SOTE]

UniqueID := is optional. That is if you want the HWND in the variable

You can simply use WinActive() as, If WinActive("Untitled - Notepad") the same as the old way of, IfWinActive, Untitled - Notepad.

The older command IfWinActive is likely deprecated to gradually prepare people for AutoHotkey V2, where the syntax is done the newer way of WinActive(). You can use the Window title or class name, same as the old way. In the below example, either way will work.

Note- ";" is used to comment out code. By removing the ";" that command line becomes active.

Code: Select all

Loop
{
;	If WinActive("Untitled - Notepad")
	If WinActive("ahk_class Notepad") 
	{
	WinClose, Untitled - Notepad
	break
	}
}
MsgBox, Notepad window was closed!

[swagfag]

q3: a context sensitive hotkey

Code: Select all

#If WinActive("ahk_exe notepad.exe")
q::MsgBox notepad is active