Utility to Start Several Applications in Different Modes

Keywords:   appcmd.zip

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                 		    AppCmd 1.0 
		             (C) 1998,Alex Verboon

AppCmd is written in WinBatch97(R) (take a look at www.windoware.com). If you 
like this tool, or have any more ideas, or even find a bug please feel free 
to send a mail to:
alex.verboon@chkra.mail.abb.com
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Contents

1.  About AppCmd
2.  Command line
3.  Configuration File
3.1 Environment
3.2 Programs
3.3 Checkfile
3.4 StartMessage

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1. About Appcmd

AppCmd allows you to start several applications in different Modes
(Hide, Wait etc.). This option is usefull for integrating software
in complex environments. 

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2. Command line

Appcmd 

Note ! The name of the configurationfile must also contain Drive and Path

	Example: AppCmd v:\winapps\myappl\myap.acf

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3. Configuration File

The configuration file contains 4 Sections:

[Environment]	-> Environment settings
[Programs]	-> Programs to run
[CheckFile]	-> File to check before running programs
[StartMessage]	-> Display User Information

3.1 Setting environment variables

If variables are needed for an application AppCmd allows you to set them
before program execution. 
Note ! These variables are only valid for the current session. 

	Example:

	[Environment]
	Path=%path%c:\myapp;
	Lang=Dutch
	end=end

The last entry must "end=end"

3.2 Programs
AppCmd can run as much programs as you define after eachother in different
modes.

The mode in wich the application should run must be entered before the word
run.
		Example:
		[Programs]
		Run1=Notepad&Readme.txt
		Run2=copy&c:\temp\readme.txt c:\data
		end=end		


		Mode Table
		---------------------------------------------------
		Mode	Description
		---------------------------------------------------
		1	Run
		2	RunWait
		3	RunHide
		4	RunHideWait
		5	RunShell (Normal,Wait)
		6	RunShell (Hidden,Wait)
		7	RunShell (Normal,Nowait)
		8	RunSehll (Hidden,Nowait)
		>8	No supported mode
		---------------------------------------------------		
The Programs to run must be added in the section [Programs]. To separate 
command, parameters and working directory use the & character.

		Exapmple 1: Run Notepad with readme.txt
		[Programs]
		1Run1=Notepad&Readme.txt
		end=end

		Example 2 Run Notepad with readme.txt,if notepad is closed
		copy the file to c:\data.

		[Programs]
		2Run1=Notepad&Readme.txt
		1Run2=copy&readme.txt c:\data
		end=end

		....
		....

3.3 CheckFile
If an application can only run dependend on some system changes/requirements
a check file can be used to run or not run the application. 

	Example: To run Rumba some files must be available in the system32
		 Directory. As the user has no rights to copy them there
		 the application can not run. 
		 If the Administrator has copied the files a check file 
		 can be created wich informs AppCmd that the environment
		 of this computer is okay to run the application.


[CheckFile]
Check=1
File=c:\winnt\system32\app1.chk
Message1=The Application can not run on this machine
Message2=Files missing !
Message3=Please contact your local support

Setting Check to 0 causes no filechecking.

3.4 StartMessage
This message will be display during starting the application. It can be turned
off setting Display to 0.

[StartMessage]
Display=1
Title=Appcmd
Message1=Application Myapp will be started
Message2=Setting environment...
Message3=Please wait...

To download the zip file:

	appcmd.zip

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Article ID:   W13809

Filename:   Utility to Start Several Apps in Different Modes.txt