ThinBASIC Modules > OS (Operating System) > OS

Description

Performs an operation on a specified file.

The function opens or prints a specified file.

The file can be an executable file or a document file.

Syntax

hInstance = OS_ShellExecute(Operation, File, Parameters, Directory, ShowCmd)

Returns

If the function succeeds, it returns a value greater than 32. If the function fails, it returns an error value that indicates the cause of the failure. The return value is cast as an HINSTANCE for backward compatibility with 16-bit Windows applications. It is not a true HINSTANCE, however.

Parameters

Name

Type

Optional

Meaning

Operation

String

A string specifying the operation to perform. This string can be "open" or "print".

File

String

A string specifying the file to open

Parameters

String

A string specifying parameters passed to the application when the File parameter specifies an executable file. If File is a string specifying a document file, this parameter is an empty string.

Directory

String

a string specifying the default directory.

ShowCmd

One of the following equates:

%SW_HIDE	Hides the window and passes activation to another window.
%SW_SHOWNORMAL	Activates and displays a window. If the window is minimized or maximized, Windows restores it to its original size and position (same as 9).
%SW_NORMAL	Activates and displays a window. If the window is minimized or maximized, Windows restores it to its original size and position (same as 9).
%SW_SHOWMINIMIZED	Activates a window and displays it as an icon.
%SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED	Activates a window and displays it as a maximized window.
%SW_MAXIMIZE	Activates a window and displays it as a maximized window.
%SW_SHOWNOACTIVATE	Displays a window in its most recent size and position. The window that is currently active remains active.
%SW_SHOW	Activates a window and displays it in its current size and position.
%SW_MINIMIZE	Minimizes the specified window and activates the top-level window in the system's list.
%SW_SHOWMINNOACTIVE	Displays a window as an icon. The window that is currently active remains active.
%SW_SHOWNA	Displays a window in its current state. The window that is currently active remains active.
%SW_RESTORE	Activates and displays a window. If the window is minimized or maximized, Windows restores it to its original size and position (same as 1).
%SW_SHOWDEFAULT	Sets the show state based on parameters specified by the program that started the application

Remarks

More info can be found at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb762153(v=vs.85).aspx

Restrictions

Please consider OS_Shell function for executing process synchronously or asynchronously.