exec

exec (STRING* program, STRING* options);

Starts an external program or batch file.

exec_wait (STRING* program, STRING* options);

Starts an external program or batch file, and waits for its termination.

Parameters:

program - file name of the exe or batch file.
options - command line parameter to be passed to the program.

Returns:

0 if the program was not found or could not be started, nonzero otherwise.

Speed:

Slow

Remarks:

The program parameter can specify a full path (from the root), a partial path (from the current work folder), or just a filename. In the latter case the exec function first looks for the file in the work folder, and then in the in the folders specified by the system's PATH environment variable.
If the program string does not have a filename extension, the exec function first tries the .COM extension, then the .EXE extension, then the .BAT extension, and finally the .CMD extension.
'\' characters in strings, like for file paths, have to be given in C-Notation as "\\", like in "C:\\program files\\internet explorer\\iexplore.exe".
The instruction does not wait for the program to terminate, but returns immediately.
If the external program opens a window, the engine should be switched to window mode before. Fullscreen mode would hide other windows.

Example:

exec("myprogram.exe","");

See also:

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