Open/Close Application

[jeffEngland]

I would like to open and close an application using a filemaker script (I am using windows XP). I'm assuming you have to use a VB script. So I am wondering if someone can give me an example code of how to open and close an application, or point me to some online literature so I can get myself up to speed.

Thanks

Jeff England

[T-Square]

Send Event script step (Windows) should serve. The help documents explain its use. Keep in mind that if ever distribute to an Apple machine, you have to test for this...

[Wim Decorte]

Most applications can be launched with a command line and that's where the Send Event can help. You can specify a valid command line and it will work. For closing an app it may be more difficult, check the app's documentation to see if there is a command line switch for that.

You can also use a VB script, check out my website for some resources on how to get started creating and executing a VB script from inside FM.

Let us know how it goes!

[jeffEngland]

Alrighty thanks for the info guys

my problem is closing the app but i'll take a look at your site, thanks for the link.

Jeff England

[Wim Decorte]

One way of closing an app is to use VBscript's "AppActivate" to bring it forward, followed by a SendKeys command sending ALT-F4 (the universal command for closing an app). Don't forget to handle any prompts that the other app might throw up (like saving, "are you sure",...)