Platform

x64, Win32

Purpose

To create a new process and wait for it to terminate.

Syntax

INTEGER FUNCTION START_PROCESS@(COMMAND,PARAMS)
CHARACTER(LEN=*) COMMAND,PARAMS

Description

COMMAND is the command line that is to be executed. PARAMS is a string of parameters that is appended to the command line.

Return value

Returns 0 or a positive value if successful. A return value of -1 indicates an error condition.
If the new process exits via a call of the form EXIT(errorcode) then START_PROCESS@ returns the value of errorcode.

Notes

The new process is given the same 'show' state as that used when creating the calling process. This will usually be 'show normal' or 'show maximised'.

The alternative function START_PPROCESS@ takes the same form but returns immediately (i.e. it does not wait for the created process to terminate).

If the process that is started is a console application you can prevent it from showing the console window by calling SUPPRESS_CMD_BOX@ first.