Finding out if a batch file is still running

I am having to run a batch file to communicate with an AS400 (this cannot be changed) and I want to find out when the batch file has finished

Any help would be appricated

Cheers

Chris

A MacGyver tip

Create a temporary file when your batch file start.
Delete it when your batch file has finish.

In your VB code, look for the temporary file. If it's still there, you batch isn't finish. If it's not there, then your batch has finish.

I've just looking for an API to get the process name but i didn't find one.

I am not sure how you want to know when it finishes. Do you want to keep your program running, or wait for the batch file to finish before your program continues?

You can start the batchfile with CreateProcess. This returns a process handle. With this processHandle you can call WaitForSingleObject to check if the job is finished. When I get home I will look for a sample, the samples I have here (at work) are to mixed up in other code.

This will hold your application up while waiting for the batchfile to finish:


in a Module:

Private Type STARTUPINFO
cb As Long
lpReserved As String
lpDesktop As String
lpTitle As String
dwX As Long
dwY As Long
dwXSize As Long
dwYSize As Long
dwXCountChars As Long
dwYCountChars As Long
dwFillAttribute As Long
dwFlags As Long
wShowWindow As Integer
cbReserved2 As Integer
lpReserved2 As Long
hStdInput As Long
hStdOutput As Long
hStdError As Long
End Type

Private Type PROCESS_INFORMATION
hProcess As Long
hThread As Long
dwProcessID As Long
dwThreadID As Long
End Type

Private Declare Function WaitForSingleObject Lib "kernel32" (ByVal hHandle As Long, ByVal dwMilliseconds As Long) As Long

Declare Function CreateProcessA Lib "kernel32" (ByVal lpApplicationName As Long, ByVal lpCommandLine As String, ByVal lpProcessAttributes As Long, ByVal lpThreadAttributes As Long, ByVal bInheritHandles As Long, ByVal dwCreationFlags As Long, ByVal lpEnvironment As Long, ByVal lpCurrentDirectory As Long, lpStartupInfo As STARTUPINFO, lpProcessInformation As PROCESS_INFORMATION) As Long
Declare Function CloseHandle Lib "kernel32" (ByVal hObject As Long) As Long

Private Const NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS = &H20&
Private Const INFINITE = -1&

'*** Call this function with the batchfile as the filename argument
Public Sub ExecApp(FileName$)
Dim ProcInfo As PROCESS_INFORMATION
Dim StartInfo As STARTUPINFO

StartInfo.cb = Len(StartInfo)

'Start the specified application
ret& = CreateProcessA(0&, FileName$, 0&, 0&, 1&, _
NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS, 0&, 0&, StartInfo, ProcInfo)

'Hold on for app to finish
ret& = WaitForSingleObject(ProcInfo.hProcess, INFINITE)
ret& = CloseHandle(ProcInfo.hProcess)
End Sub


In your form:

Private Sub Form_Load()
Call ExecApp("c:\thabatch.bat")
MsgBox "Finished!"
End Sub


have a nice day =)

/matse

Code:

---

Option Explicit

Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib _
"shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" _
(ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, _
ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, _
ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

'Use this line in click event (substitute the URL for your own):
'call the bat file this way..it exposes the dos shell and
'then closes it when it is finished it's thing.


Private Sub Command1_Click()

    Dim h As Long
    h = Shell(Environ("COMSPEC") & " /C C:\yourfile.bat")
    DoEvents
 
End Sub

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