Making a Delphi GUI need some help
 

Hi Guys,

I bought Delphi 7 a couple of months ago but have not really used it since I purchased it through lack of time.

Now that I have some time on my hands i wanted to make a GUI for a command line program just to practice on.

What I wanted to know is how can I tell Delphi to make a DOS Window pop up (Like Vmesquita's DIKO has) so that I can see exactly whats going on in the DOS window like progress and such?

Thanks in advance. :)

What you're talking about is called "spawning" or running an external program :)
In C/C++, it's called the "exec" family of functions ( http://hpcf.nersc.gov/vendor_docs/ib...etrf1/exec.htm ). I'm not sure what's the name on Delphi, but it's the same functionality.
You "run" an external program, in this case command line tools like BeSweet, DIKumcizer, etc., and then you "wait" for the program to exit.

-kwag

If you want to know how it's done in C++, I can show you the functions used (they're actually three, depending on some specific problems each command-line tool have). PM me if you are interested. Unfortunatelly, my skills in Delphi are near none.. :(

There are several ways to call an external application with delphi.
I think the easiest way is to create a variable of type TFileRun.
Let’s say that you create a "var F: TFileRun"
Now you can set (for an example):

You can execute any file (not just an exe). If the file is associated with any app, then this app will be executed. I mean you can execute a TXT file and this file will be opened with NotePad (for example).
To control how the external application’s window appears (minimized, maximized, hidden, and so on), use the ShowCmd property.

Thanks for your replies and the info provided guys, sorry it took so long to get back to you ive been away over the Easter Period.

This is just a quick post as im on my way out soon.

Thanks again ill read these posts in depth and do some testing and ask you guys for more help to get me started if you dont mind of course. :D

I think I will send you a PM also vmesquita as I would love to know how to do this in C++ as I can use that in Delphi. :)

Im sending PM right now. :D

I've done this quite a bit. If you still need some help, I can point you to some Delphi source code.

Nice! To see you in here again MrTibs! :wink:

Thanks buddy, at the moment Ive been really busy both at work and in my private life but when all quietens down I shall ask definately ask for your assistence. :)