Shellexecute return value. The return value is cast as an HINSTANCE for backward compatibility with 16-bit Windows applications. printf("ShellExecute return value: %i\n", ret); In the above code, ShellExecute() returns 42, so it should be successful. Understanding the ShellExecute() Function in C++ ShellExecute() is a library function provided in the C++ standard library and is used for opening or running any executable file from the C++ program. Aug 26, 2000 · When working with a non-executable file, the file is opened using its associated program. I think what you mean by "return value" is the output from CMD, which this question addresses: stackoverflow. That's it. . Finally after moving the utility to VFP9, things worked. But if the hInstance is less then 33, it indicates a failure. Mar 16, 2016 · I am moving from ShellExecute, to ShellExecuteEx so that I can use WaitForInputIdle with the process handle. The code I wrote, and all the examples I found on the Internet, do this via CreateProcess(), but my boss rejected this and told me that there MUST be a solution doing this via ShellExecute(). IF RETURN-VALUE > "" THEN MESSAGE "ShellExecute failed, reason: " SKIP RETURN-VALUE VIEW-AS ALERT-BOX ERROR. Your choice of return value, therefore, might be (HINSTANCE)42. IF hInstance<0 OR hInstance>32 THEN RETURN "". [tab]If the call to ShellExecute succeeds, the return value is greater than 31. Jul 7, 2017 · If the function fails, it returns an error value that indicates the cause of the failure. Aug 26, 2000 · Description & Usage ShellExecute opens, prints, or executes a file using the Windows shell. ShellExecute (Ex) doesn't wait for the process to end, and hence it can't supply return codes to the caller. Dec 6, 2022 · Olivier, First, ShellExecute () is not appropriate here, as it is completely modeless. I've successfuly tried this from the command prompt, where it gives me a correct return value. Going back to the original question: How should I check the return value of ShellExecute for errors? MSDN says you can cast the result to an integer and compare the result against 32. Aug 1, 2007 · If shellexecute failed to start the program it will return a value of <32. but the function returns 42 value, I have > searched about why returns the value 42 and I have not found anything > that can help me understand. That’ll work fine. I guess a THandle is an integer value as well, and a THandle <= 32 represents an errorcode. If no Explorer window is open, ShellExecute launches a new one. Does it matter which is used? Feb 18, 1998 · According to ShellExecute's documentation, nothing is wrong. API_AppRun should do what you want, but (as I understand it), it does not return an object. If you use Createproccess then the Delphi program IS the owner of the second program. What's the return value of ShellExecute? If it's 0x0000001f (== 31, meaning SE_ERR_NOASSOC), than according to shellapi. /* not failed */ CASE hInstance : Apr 26, 2011 · Yes, initially since when run in VFP7 the ShellExecute () return value indicated much the same problem - it appeared to possibly be a better approach. exe". Otherwise, the value can be: [tab] [color blue]0 [/color] -- The operating system is out of memory or resources. Mar 1, 2006 · I'm trying to implement PHP into my self-built server by running shellexecute with the correct parameters. [tab] [color blue]ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND [/color] -- The specified file was not found. h "There is no application associated with the given file name extension. PROCEDURE TestInstance : DEFINE INPUT PARAMETER hInstance AS INTEGER. In the above example I want the return value of "dpinstx86. h header defines ShellExecuteEx as an alias that automatically selects the ANSI or Unicode version of this function based on the definition of the UNICODE preprocessor constant. If the call succeeded, the return value is greater than 32. Nov 8, 2006 · (Most geeks are. Feb 8, 2023 · If the function fails, it returns an error value that indicates the cause of the failure. if you are trying to monitor both programs with a third program, then I don't know of any way to determine the calling source. I can't find any example on the Internet doing this with ShellExecute(). bat" ) > > And this works perfectly, I mean, it runs correctly my bat file and > hides the msdos window . Jul 2, 2025 · To use ShellExecute or ShellExecuteEx, your application must specify the file or folder object that is to be acted on, and a verb that specifies the operation. However, it doesn't actually open the file. For ShellExecute, assign these values to the appropriate parameters. Where can I get the associated error messages? I know they're general, but I've seen messages in Dec 25, 2003 · As McG said ShellExecute will open any file that has an associated application, so if you pass it a url it opens the default browser; pass an mpeg file and it opens the default player. pdf file extension got lost. If the window is minimized or maximized, Windows restores it to its original size and position. Sep 30, 2006 · If a call to ShellExecute succeeds, the returned hInstance parameter will be the instance handle of the executed program. It returns an exit code, but that's a code generated by API_AppRun itself, not Jun 13, 2022 · We need a function which launches a command-line executable and get its return value. Feb 23, 2013 · I'm getting the return value when I call ShellExecute - an integer. Feb 8, 2023 · Note The shellapi. Mixing usage of the encoding-neutral alias with code that is not encoding-neutral can lead to mismatches that result in compilation or runtime errors. ShellExecute method - Performs a specified operation on a specified file. If its less than 33 then the function failed. ) The all-important number 42 fits into this range. com/questions/469152/…. In other words, once you have called it, your program continues to run independently, and has no communication with the called process. For more information, see Conventions for Jan 30, 2003 · Is it possible to return values from the ShellExecute Windows API call? I need to do some complex processing on a particular field value and have it returned to my VFP program. Sep 30, 2006 · IF RETURN-VALUE > "" THEN MESSAGE "ShellExecute failed, reason: " SKIP RETURN-VALUE VIEW-AS ALERT-BOX ERROR. ", which means that somehow the registration of the . ShellExecute returns a 31 as expected when I try to open an XLS file when I dont have Excel installed, but ShellExecuteEx appears to succeed and return 42, even though it has actually failed and popped up the default Windows file Apr 26, 2021 · Shell. > > How can I get a "real" value, that let me know, for example Nov 15, 2000 · I use shellexecute to launch application, and I may do not know the window title of the launched app. MSDN said that the return value of shellexecute is a instance handle. Oct 30, 2023 · In this article, we’ll dive deep into the intricacies of the ShellExecute() function, its parameters, use cases, and best practices. The function returns immediately after opening the file, starting the program, or performing whatever other action was specified. The only problem is that the algorithm for doing the processing already exists in a C++ class and is extremely long Dec 21, 2010 · > And I run the function like this: > > wait shellexecute (0, "open", "sello. Feb 11, 2015 · How to get the return value of an exe which is called by shellexecute function. I don't have privilege problems, and it fails with the same problem even when running the program as an administrator. ShellExecute can also open Windows Explorer windows. Return Values from ShellExecute function If the return value of ShellExecute is greater than 32, the application was executed successfully. /* =return value from ShellExecute */ DEFINE VARIABLE txt AS CHARACTER NO-UNDO. Steve [The sane]: Delphi a feersum engin indeed. When working with a non-executable file, the file is opened using its associated program. Any return value larger than HINSTANCE_ERROR is considered a legitimate instance May 22, 2002 · [tab] If lpFile is a document then nSHowCmd should be 0. Jul 15, 2014 · SW_SHOWNORMAL = Activates and displays a window. Jul 20, 2011 · Delphi Get return value when running a DOS command using ShellExec Asked 14 years, 2 months ago Modified 11 months ago Viewed 4k times Apr 4, 2006 · Is the return code stored in the SHELLEXECUTEINFO struct? No, it isn't. Jun 5, 2012 · The only meaningful operation on the return value is a cast to an INT_PTR type and comparing it against the value 32 or a fixed list of error constants. It launches the application. In fact, I can successfully run the file this way: Nov 4, 2013 · [Solved] Delphi - Using ShellExecute's return value Delphi, Lazarus, Free Pascal Last Post by Hans 12 years ago 1 Posts May 20, 2025 · Note The Launch folder windows in a separate process setting in Folder Options affects ShellExecute. If that option is disabled (the default setting), ShellExecute uses an open Explorer window rather than launch a new one. Dec 7, 2006 · Aaron, Thanks for the example - This should probably be added to the FAQs, as it is a more complete example of using ShellExecute, and responding to the Return Value. ym4p 65sl 7whkt we0f qs 5spypwm h0pp ox6g khvx ipdb