Command line not receiving command.

[jdu98a]

Here is the context of my issue. I have a script that saves a .pdf file to the desktop, attaches that file to an email, and then sends the email via the user's email client (Outlook, Thunderbird, etc). Immediatly after the Send Email script step I use a Send Event step to delete the .pdf file that was just created from the desktop. The event calculation is as follows:

"cmd c/ del " & Quote ( $File )

The $File variable is created eariler in the script and contains the location of the .pdf file to be deleted formated as "C:\[path]\[file name]". I use the Quote() function because parts of the file path contain spaces.

When the Send Event script step executes a command line window opens with the following text:

"C:\Program Files (86)\Mozilla Thunderbird>" (and a blinking cursor)

The command itself never gets sent. The same happens with a user using Outlook with the resulting text saying "...\Outlook>" instead of "...\Mozilla Thunderbird>" If I then paste in the command manually (del "C:\[path]\[file name]") it works, and the file gets deleted. Something about the Send Event script step being executed in the context of the client email software blocks the command. How do I get around this?

[jdu98a]

Well, if you could see me right now, my face would be taking up residence in my palm.

I put the "c" and "/" in the wrong order. Should be "cmd /c" NOT "cmd c/".

Problem fixed.

[Vaughan]

You will find that computers used in corporate environments often lock (write protect) the desktop and other folders, in which case your process will fail because the pdf will not be saved.

Save the pdf to the temporary folder instead and forget about trying to delete the file. It will be automagically cleaned up at the end of each FMP session, the folder always has write privileges, and the it is hidden away from prying eyes.

[jdu98a]

Excellent tip, thanks.