Launch a program from console

General
1

Quick question:

Once upon a time you could launch a program with something like

var f as folderitem
f = SpecialFolder.Documents.Child(“TheProgramFolder”).Child(“MySpecialProgram”).Launch.

This option does not seem to be available anymore.

When I do a search in the documentation, for Launch, it doesn’t seem to be there either.

How do you launch a program now?

Regards

2

I believe .Launch was API-1. So try API-2 .Open

Edited to add: Oops, just noticed this disclaimer

This method is not supported for console and mobile projects.

But just below that notice is an example of how to open an app from a Console app using Shell on macOS. I’m sure there is a similar way on Windows if needed.

3

It won’t work on Mac OS because console apps don’t have a connection to the window server (provides GUI), which is what FolderItem.Launch requires.

Try this, if you’re on the Mac: in your console app, create a Shell and execute “/usr/bin/open /path/to/executable”. That should launch any GUI or console app.

4

Hi Eric.

I’ll try that and let you know.

Regards

5

Hi Scott.

This method is not supported for console and mobile projects.

You have now idea how bad I felt when I found this in the documents before opening this thread. :smiley: Glad to know I am the only one who misses things!

Where do you change from API-1 to API-2? I looked under build settings, where i thought it was but there is nothing there.

But just below that notice is an example of how to open an app from a Console app using Shell on macOS. I’m sure there is a similar way on Windows if needed.

I didn’t see any attachments. Another error on my part?

Regards

6

It’s not a setting change. It’s what objects and syntax you use. Check out the discussion in this thread for more information.

Go to this link .Open and scroll down about half a screen.

7

Hi there.

Ok, I “kind of” have my program running, but it brings up some questions.

This works for me:

sh.Execute ("open -a /Applications/myMovieScreenSaver.app”)

However if I to this:

sh.Execute ("/usr/bin/open -a /Users/michaelcebasek/Documents/xojo programs/myMovieScreenSaver/Builds - myMovieScreenSaver9/macOS Universal/myMovieScreenSaver.app”)

It doesn’t work.

Looking through the man open, I know -a is for application start, but shouldn’t this work in a “general” (not restricted, and on my computer I am an administrator) folder like Dcouments?

Regards

8

Just a hunch - is the app in that location codesigned and notarised yet?

9

I think the args themselves may have to be quoted, thus:

s = new shell
s.execute ("/usr/bin/gzip """ +  logfile + ".tmp""")
10

Tim is right, there are two spaces in the passed path:
Builds - myMovieScreenSaver9

11

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I did forget to mention (since I was doing this at 0330 Eastern Time) That I took a copy of the app and put it directly into my Documents folder, using the shell execute

sh.execute (“open -a /Documents/myMovieScreenSaver.app”)

and it never launched.

Will try your suggestions and advise.

Regards

12

You need the full path to your documents folder.

"open -a /Users/yourusername/Documents/myMovieScreenSaver.app"

13

You should use the full path, but instead try using FolderItem.shellPath which will return a path with “funny” characters escaped so you don’t need to do quoting:

e.g. instead of this:

/Users/michaelcebasek/Documents/xojo programs/myMovieScreenSaver/Builds - myMovieScreenSaver9/macOS Universal/myMovieScreenSaver.app

ShellPath would return this:

/Users/michaelcebasek/Documents/xojo\ programs/myMovieScreenSaver/Builds\ -\ myMovieScreenSaver9/macOS\ Universal/myMovieScreenSaver.app