How can I send command line and read the responses?

[ATC]

I have to execute an application (ie: c:\applications\task1.exe). I have to send some different commands and wait for the responses. Some responses are fast and has only few lines, some will take long time to execute but response every second with a dot until it completed I would line to send command line through VB environment (might be with Shell (...) command?), but able to capture the responses without waiting it completed (to monitor its processes) Anyone can show me how to do it? Many thanks

[Dave Kreskowiak]

There's a bunch of code behind that. But, you're launching the process with the Process class, then redirecting the StandardInput and StandardOutput streams so your code can capture the output of the console app. I don't have an example handy because I'm walking out the door right now...

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Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
     2006, 2007

[DigiOz Multimedia]

ATC wrote:

I have to execute an application (ie: c:\applications\task1.exe). I have to send some different commands and wait for the responses. Some responses are fast and has only few lines, some will take long time to execute but response every second with a dot until it completed I would line to send command line through VB environment (might be with Shell (...) command?), but able to capture the responses without waiting it completed (to monitor its processes) Anyone can show me how to do it?

Here is an example, which executes the "cmd.exe" (command line executable), gets a directory listing, and displays the result in a messagebox:

Dim ps1 As New Process
ps1.StartInfo.FileName = "cmd.exe"
ps1.StartInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Normal
ps1.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = False
ps1.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = False
ps1.StartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = True
ps1.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = True
ps1.Start()

Dim s As String
Dim sIn As StreamWriter = ps1.StandardInput
Dim sOut As StreamReader = ps1.StandardOutput
sIn.AutoFlush = True

sIn.Write("dir /p" & System.Environment.NewLine)
s = sOut.ReadToEnd()
MessageBox.Show(s)

Don't forget to "Imports System.IO" for this. I hope this helps. :)

Pete Soheil DigiOz Multimedia http://www.digioz.com

[ATC]

Thanks, I also hope so, but I got errors on Dim sIn As StreamWriter (not defined). might be I need add some kind of Import?

[DigiOz Multimedia]

ATC wrote:

Thanks, I also hope so, but I got errors on Dim sIn As StreamWriter (not defined). might be I need add some kind of Import?

Correct. At the very "TOP" of your Windows Form, type "Imports System.IO". That should fix your problem.

Pete Soheil DigiOz Multimedia http://www.digioz.com

[ATC]

Hi Pete, Thanks for the reply, however when I try to run as it is (without compiling error), it launches cmd (ms-dos window) empty then stays there forever until I close the ms-dos window then it shows the responses ( MessageBox.Show(s) ) I do not know why I have to close the ms-dos window manually, can we close it automatically? Thanks -- modified at 10:29 Tuesday 16th October, 2007

[DigiOz Multimedia]

ATC wrote:

Thanks for the reply, however when I try to run as it is (without compiling error), it launches cmd (ms-dos window) empty then stays there forever until I close the ms-dos window then it shows the responses ( MessageBox.Show(s) ) I do not know why I have to close the ms-dos window manually, can we close it automatically?

Its because of this statement: s = sOut.ReadToEnd() Take that line out and it will close the DOS screen on its own. :)

Pete Soheil DigiOz Multimedia http://www.digioz.com

[ATC]

Oopps, in that case how can I read the return from the application? :doh: