Blitz3D+ Command Reference

ExecFile command$

Parameters

command$ - file, program or URL to open

Description

Opens a file, program or web address with its associated Windows application.

ExecFile hands the name to Windows the same way double-clicking it in Explorer would: an .exe is launched, a .txt opens in the default text editor, and anything containing :// (like an http:// address) opens in the default browser. Classic game uses are a "visit our website" button or opening a readme.

Your program does not wait - the other application runs alongside it and ExecFile returns immediately.

If the path contains spaces, wrap it in quote characters yourself, e.g. ExecFile Chr$(34)+"my file.txt"+Chr$(34). Relative paths are resolved against the current directory, like the other file commands.

See also: SystemProperty, CommandLine, CurrentDir.

Example

; ExecFile Example
; ----------------

; ExecFile launches another program (or opens a document with its
; associated program) via the Windows shell.

Print "This example can launch the Windows Notepad."
Print ""
Print "Press and hold Y to launch Notepad, or any other key to skip"
WaitKey

; WaitKey returns as the key goes down, so the chosen key is still held
If KeyDown(21) Then
    ; Launch Notepad - wrap paths in Chr$(34) quotes if they have spaces
    ExecFile "notepad.exe"
    Print "Launched notepad.exe"
Else
    Print "Skipped launching Notepad."
EndIf

Print ""
Print "Press any key to close the example"
WaitKey

End

Index