Path to application

[jwdietrich]

Is there a way to obtain the path to the running application in Mac OS X? ApplicationName returns simply the name of the application, not its directory.

[jwdietrich]

I found the solution myself. The path can be obtained with ParamStr(0).

According to http://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/rtl/sysutils/applicationname.html ApplicationName and ParamStr(0) should deliver the same result by default, but obviously this is not the case.

In

Code: [Select]

  gAppName := ApplicationName;
  gAppPath := ParamStr(0);
gAppName contains the name of the application only, gAppPath the whole path.

[marcov]

It is not guaranteed, since many OSes don't allow it.

(and some OSes e.g. only allow it when the file is on a native filesystem)

[Zaher]

Check application.location

[jwdietrich]

Great, it works!

Unfortunately, the Free Pascal documentation (see http://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/fcl/custapp/tcustomapplication.location.html) says that on Mac OS X application.location would not work "under certain circumstances". Im am afraid that I have to live with this uncertainty and check for a plausible value.

[Bart]

You should really not rely on being able to locate where the actual executable is.
If you really need to know this at runtime, then save it in some config file (when installing the program) on a location (eihter global or local, depending on your needs) that is custom for the OS you're using (see GetAppConfigDir).

Bart

[eny]

You should really not rely on being able to locate where the actual executable is.

For WIntel apps the application location can be a convenient location for an 'application inifile' to store global, static constants. It's easy to tweak such an inifile and there is no chicken/egg problem as to where to find it.
Not sure though what the conventions for the Mac platform are.

[Bart]

For WIntel apps the application location can be a convenient location for an 'application inifile' to store global, static constants.

As long as you limit yourself to DOS/WIndows, you'll be fine.
Once you start cross-platform, it's gonna break.

Bart

[shiruba]

Another issue is that even on Windows, a non-power user won't have write access to the Program Files directory where the application is most likely stored.

[eny]

Another issue is that even on Windows, a non-power user won't have write access to the Program Files directory where the application is most likely stored.

Sure thing.
Therefore you can use 2 inifiles:
- one for global (i.e. workstation) config items which can be in the program folder;
- one for user-specific settings that change everytime, which can be in a user's home folder.

[marcov]

Unfortunately, the Free Pascal documentation (see http://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/fcl/custapp/tcustomapplication.location.html) says that on Mac OS X application.location would not work "under certain circumstances". Im am afraid that I have to live with this uncertainty and check for a plausible value.

Won't work on FreeBSD either. (unless FreeBSD 8 changed that)

[jwdietrich]

Another issue is that even on Windows, a non-power user won't have write access to the Program Files directory where the application is most likely stored.

Would the user have write access if the application were on a usb stick?

[Leledumbo]

Would the user have write access if the application were on a usb stick?

Depending on the file system, if it supports file permissions, then there's a chance that the write access is also prohibited.

[jwdietrich]

Does anybody have an alternative suggestion for storing preferences of a portable application (USB stickware)?

[Leledumbo]

Does anybody have an alternative suggestion for storing preferences of a portable application (USB stickware)?

I think there's no clean way but to inform your users by providing readme for them containing information about the permission