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  • Using a command line
  • Using the exeActive constant
  • Return value of a WINDEV executable
  • Starting an application in Windows Vista (and later)
  • Miscellaneous
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Stored procedures
Executes a program (an executable file, for example) from the current application.
Reports and Queries This allows you to retrieve:
  • the return value of executable with the exeReturnValue constant.
  • the process identifier, also called PID with the exePID constant.
Example
Syntax

Running an executable (in locking or non-locking mode) Hide the details

<Result> = ExeRun(<Program name> [, <Mode> [, <Wait for end> [, <Working directory>]]])
<Result>: Boolean
  • True if the program was started,
  • False otherwise. ErrorInfo returns more details about the error.
<Program name>: Character string
Name of program to start with its path and/or the parameters that must be passed to the program (if necessary).
  • If no path is specified, the program is sought in the current directory, then in the Windows directory and in the directories accessible by PATH.
  • If the executable corresponds to a long name with space characters, the following syntax must be used:
    <Program name> = " " " Long_name_with_spaces" " Command_line"
<Mode>: Optional integer constant
Program start mode (no action on DOS programs):
exeActive
(Default value)
The program run is active, it "takes control" over the current program.
exeIconizeThe program run is inactive and it is minimized.
exeInactiveThe program run is inactive: it is run while the current program keeps focus.
exeMaximizeThe program run is active, it "takes control" over the current program (the execution window is maximized).
exeNoHandleInheritanceIndicates that the executable should not inherit handles from the parent (applies to ALL handles, including files). The executable is independent of the application that launched it.
This constant can be combined with other application launch constants.
<Wait for end>: Optional Boolean constant
Configures the timeout before resuming the execution of the current program:
exeDontWait
(Default value)
The current program and the launched program run in parallel.
exeWaitThe current program resumes its execution when the program run is over.
<Working directory>: Optional character string
Working directory of application to start.
Reports and QueriesWindows

Starting a program and retrieving a value Hide the details

<Result> = ExeRun(<Program name> [, <Mode> [, <Element to return> [, <Working directory>]]])
<Result>: Integer
Sought value:
  • Return value of the executable if <Element to return> corresponds to the exeReturnValue constant.
  • PID of the executable if <Element to return> corresponds to the exePID constant.
ErrorInfo is used to find out whether an error occurred.
<Program name>: Character string
Name of program to start with its path and/or the parameters that must be passed to the program (if necessary).
  • If no path is specified, the program is sought in the current directory, then in the Windows directory and in the directories accessible by PATH.
  • If the executable corresponds to a long name with space characters, the following syntax must be used:
    <Program name> = " " " Long_name_with_spaces" " Command_line"
<Mode>: Optional integer constant
Program start mode (no action on DOS programs).
exeActive
(Default value)
The program run is active, it "takes control" over the current program
exeIconizeThe program run is inactive and it is minimized
exeInactiveThe program run is inactive: it is run while the current program keeps focus
exeMaximizeThe program run is active, it "takes control" over the current program (the execution window is maximized)
<Element to return>: Optional constant
Configures the function result:
exePIDThe current program and the launched program run in parallel. <Result> corresponds to the identifier of created process (also called PID) if the executable was successfully run, 0 if an error occurred.
This identifier can be used in some APIs for example.
exeReturnValueThe current program resumes its execution when the program run is over. <Result> is the return value of the executable.
<Working directory>: Optional character string
Working directory of the application to be started.
Remarks

Using a command line

To pass parameters in command line to the executable run, you must specify the name and full path of the executable to run.
Reports and QueriesWindows

Using the exeActive constant

If the process where the application is run (with the exeActive constant) runs a code allowing the calling program to regain focus, the called program loses control.
In order for the called program to keep focus, you must avoid:
In addition, the Button control (if there is one) whose associated "Click" event contains a call to ExeRun must not be "Tab Stop" ("Accessible by TAB" in the "UI" tab of the control description).
Reports and QueriesWindows

Return value of a WINDEV executable

A WINDEV executable can return a value. Simply:
  1. Create an Integer variable global to the project.
  2. Initialize this variable with the value to return.
  3. Return this variable with the RETURN keyword in the project closing code.
Reports and QueriesWindows

Starting an application in Windows Vista (and later)

If UAC (User Account Control) is enabled, the application that uses ExeRun to start another application must have higher permissions than the application that is started.
For example, a first application started with the administrator rights can start a second application that requires no specific rights.
If the second application requires greater rights than the application that starts it, the second application may fail to start. Windows proposes to enable the management of compatibility with Windows Vista. If the management of compatibility is enabled, the second application will be run during its next startup. You can also use ShellExecute.
Reports and QueriesWindows

Miscellaneous

  • ExeRun does not modify the current directory. The current directory before running ExeRun is identical to the current directory after running ExeRun.
  • If the program run ignores the specified runtime mode, the program is run in exeActive mode.
Component: wd290std.dll
Minimum version required
  • Version 9
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Last update: 10/02/2023

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