Trying to populate sys_shell() with variables

[preston2]

I have been trying to use variables with sys_shell() but I am not having any luck.

Basically I need to have a button open another Alpha5 workspace using command line options like I would with a desktop shortcut.

If I hard code the argument in sys_shell() it works just fine.

If I use variables to build the command line with options it will open Alpha5 but will not start the workspace.
The strange thing is I can copy the results of the variable " ?opentr " and paste it into sys_shell() and it will work.

So even though for example sys_shell(opentr,1) has the exact same contents of sys_shell("C:\Program Files (x86)\a5V11\Alpha5.exe ""c:\tr\tr2.adb"" -INCLUDE=""c:\tr\TR.startup""",1) which will work.

Why do I need to do this with variables instead of just hard coding? Because not all my customers install my main app on C:

I have attached a sample db if any care to help me figure this out. Just unzip it in an empty folder and then open the tr.adb file with Alpha5

Thanks in advance for any help.

[GGandhi]

Re: Trying to populate sys_shell() with variables

i did not download your database but thinking it aloud
how about trying with filename decode to send the path of database installation, and use filename_encode to encode the location earlier on?
according to the description this makes it less location dependent.
or use
sys_shell(evaluate_string(opentr),1)

i don't have desktop experience, so this could be naive attempt.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Trying to populate sys_shell() with variables

Try

rtpath = A5.GET_EXE_PATH()+ "\\"+"Alpha5.exe "
dbpath = quote(A5.GET_PATH()+ "\\"+"tr2.adb")
wspath = A5.Get_Path()+"\\"
incl =  "-INCLUDE=\""+wspath+"TR.startup\""
opentr = rtpath+dbpath+incl
sys_shell(opentr,1)

[preston2]

Re: Trying to populate sys_shell() with variables

Thanks to both of you.

Stan. The code you posted worked. I had tried adjusting the quote marks and even using the quote() function but I guess I never hit on the right combination myself. I guess because I was focused on the results of ?opentr needing to look just like I had the hardcode.

Again, thanks to both of you. I really appreciate it.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Trying to populate sys_shell() with variables

My process was similar but I worked back from the end result.

I captured the Target line from an existing shortcut, quoted the overall target line and escaped internal quotes.

Then I tortured the individual parts until I had something I could concatenate to yield the target line in the interactive window.

Original target line
C:\Alpha\a5V11\alpha5.exe "P:\revionics\datastor.adb" -INCLUDE="P:\revionics\datastor_Revionics.startup"

Quoted and escaped target line
"C:\Alpha\a5V11\alpha5.exe \"P:\revionics\datastor.adb\" -INCLUDE=\"P:\revionics\datastor_Revionics.startup\""

'output in interactive window
? "C:\Alpha\a5V11\alpha5.exe \"P:\revionics\datastor.adb\" -INCLUDE=\"P:\revionics\datastor_Revionics.startup\""
= C:\Alpha\a5V11\alpha5.exe "P:\revionics\datastor.adb" -INCLUDE="P:\revionics\datastor_Revionics.startup"

[GGandhi]

Re: Trying to populate sys_shell() with variables

Thanks to both of you.

I had tried adjusting the quote marks and even using the quote() function but I guess I never hit on the right combination myself. I guess because I was focused on the results of ?opentr needing to look just like I had the hardcode.

Again, thanks to both of you. I really appreciate it.

i think the space between the command is the problem
if you declare
dim cs as c
cs = space(1)+"c:\tr\tr2.adb"
then sys_shell("C:\Program Files (x86)\a5V11\Alpha5.exe " + cs,1) will open the correct adb
then you need to pass the include, i haven't tested that yet.(because i do not know to work in desktop )