Extract embedded file

[chrisjohnson]

Hi, I want to create an EXE to use as a makeshift installation program. I include the Apps in the project and create the exe. What I want to do is have the program copy the imbedded file out to the hard drive. I've done something similiar before when the file is a table - just use the dbf and copy. But for a non-table the "copy file to" command won't work, it only looks on disk not in the exe. Does anyone have any ideas? Low level commands maybe. I know I could create a regular install with something like installshield wizard, but I have coded this to do certain processes automatically.

Thanks,
Chris Johnson

 

[rgbean]

This is one technique that I have used. I remember reading about another one, but I can't seem to find it right now. In some applications I embed a self extracting ZIP .EXE with some meta data in it that is tied to the application version. This is how I get it out. Note: If the version changes, I explicitly remove the external file, and the checking is so I don't extract it each time the code is run.

lcExternalFile = "Meta.EXE"
...

 IF !GOTFILE(lcExternalFile) ;
     AND FILE(lcExternalFile) && FILE() works "in" .EXE
  ** cute kludge complements Vlad Grynchyshyn on the UT **
  CREATE CURSOR ttt (ttt M)
  APPEND BLANK
  APPEND MEMO ttt.ttt FROM (lcExternalFile)
  lcSvSafety = SET("SAFETY")
  SET SAFETY OFF
  COPY MEMO ttt.ttt to (lcExternalFile)
  IF lcSvSafety <> "OFF"
    SET SAFETY OFF
  ENDIF
  USE IN ttt
ENDIF

*Where GOTFILE.PRG only works with REAL files and is:
FUNCTION gotfile
LPARAMETERS zcfilename
IF TYPE("zcfilename") <> "C"
	RETURN .F.
ENDIF
DIMENSION laJunk[1] && so it's local 
RETURN (ADIR(laJunk, zcfilename, "ARS") > 0)

* Note: Conscious decision to not include Hidden files was made so it matched results
*       of previous GOTFILE() AND FILE().

Rick

 

[GriffMG]

Hi,

Let me know if I have misunderstood...

You have an application which needs to place an executable on the target machine at or after install?

I do this by creating a free table which is included in the exec. There are two fields, one to identify the file and one as a binary memo.

I get the .exe file into the memo by adding the record first - then using filetostr to get the data into it.

When the app is run, I check for the exec file and if it is absent, use strtofile to extract the contents of the binary memo to disk.

Does this help?

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[chrisjohnson]

Thank you both for the replies. I tried rgbean's suggestion and it worked great. GriffMG, I'm sure your's would as well. Both are based on the same principle - get an EXE, or in my case, an APP into a memo field and then at some point write it to disk. I knew there are some commands that will look in the exe for a file if it can't find it anywhere else, like USE or FOPEN, but "copy file to" isn't one of them. Again, thanks for the workaround, I appreciate the help.

Chris Johnson