sys_shell question

[ccrpr]

Hi,

Is it possible to use a field name in a path? Basically, we want the value of a number field to be stored as a variable to be used when launching a program.

For example,
A record contains a "Log Number" field. Next to it is a view log button. What we want the button to do is this:

sys_shell("C:\windows\system32\notepad.exe c:\documents\LOG_NUMBER.txt",1) -- but this doesn't use the current record's log number field value.

Make sense what we're trying to do? Any ideas?

[Stan Mathews]

Re: sys_shell question

sys_shell("C:\windows\system32\notepad.exe c:\documents\\"+LOG_NUMBER.value+".txt",1)

if used on a form where log_number is on the form and log_number is that field's object name.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: sys_shell question

To add to Stan's idea, I suggest that you build a variable, view the variable, and then use the variable in sys_shell.

cmd="notepad"
msgbox(cmd)
ui_msg_box("Show value of cmd variable",cmd) ' May need to use this line in older versions rather than msgbox()
sys_shell(cmd,1)

after you have the code working, remove the msgbox() line or start it with a ' (comment indicator)

This allows you to see exactly what you are using for an argument in the sys_shell function.

I showed the simple cmd, in your case it would look like this.

cmd="C:\windows\system32\notepad.exe c:\documents\\"+LOG_NUMBER.value+".txt"

edit: another option is to use debug(1) and watch the variable cmd, then the message box is not needed.

[Bill Parker]

Re: sys_shell question

Al,

When did we get msgbox()? I see it in autocomplete, but it is not in old Help or wiki.

Bill.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: sys_shell question

Version 5 returns....
msgbox("This is a test.")
ERROR: Function is not recognized
Version 8 displays.
Don't have anything in between installed.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: sys_shell question

Al,

When did we get msgbox()? I see it in autocomplete, but it is not in old Help or wiki.

Bill.

Did a google search using "msgbox site:alphasoftware.com"

Found reference to it in an article about version 5.

I'm not sure where I picked it up from - probably the message board...

[Bill Parker]

Re: sys_shell question

So you have taught me TWO things! I never knew about using "site:" in a google search.

Bill.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: sys_shell question

So you have taught me TWO things! I never knew about using "site:" in a google search.

Bill.

So now I'm way over my quota for the day...