Return message from Command Line utility

[shavon]

Good morning:

I am using a command line utility that generates a message when used in the DOS window. For instance, after it executes, it tells you if it was successful or if there was an error.

How can I get this message using it in VB? I am using the gwsend utility for sending Groupwise email. Thanks.

 

[HANSGIELEN]

Good old DOS:
Redirect the output of the command to a file!
Lets assume your command is named DOIT.EXE

Kill "Output.Txt"
dummy = Shell("DOIT.EXE > Output.Txt", vbMinimizedFocus))

'Now Output.Txt contains the output of DOIT.EXE
'Maybe you have to wait here for execution

Open Output.Txt for input as #1
Line input t$

'Analyze contents
Close

Warning: You are trouble if Doit.Exe performs any kind of user interaction. E.g. if you start an xcopy which asks "Is this a file or directory?", then the program seems to hang.

If synchronization is a problem, use a batch, maybe its not elegant, but it works:

Open "C:\Temp\MyBatch.Bat" for output as #1
Print #1, "@echo off"
Print #1, "Kill C:\Temp\Ready.FLG"
Print #1, "Doit.Exe > Output.Txt"
Print #1, "Echo OK > C:\Temp\Ready.FLG"
Print #1, "Cls"
Print #1, "Exit"
Close 1
dummy = Shell("C:\Temp\MyBatch.Bat", vbMinimizedFocus&quot
Do while dir$("C:\Temp\Ready.FLG&quot =""
DoEvents()
Loop
'Now open Output.Txt and get the results...

By the way:
> always overwrites an existing file (if any)
>> appends to file