Windows WinExec('CALC.EXE', SW_SHOWNORMAL);

[1HuntnMan]

I'm migrating a Delphi 7 app I wrote years ago to Lazarus Free Pascal.  A lot easier than I thought starting this little project. But, can't find function WinExec() in Lazarus or a similar function. See the subject.  Can anyone advise? Also, is there anywhere to go for this discussion, Delphi 7 --> Lazarus Free Pascal?

Tks,
Donald

[marcov]

Winexec is a Windows function from the windows 3.11 era. It has been replaced in win9x with CreateProcess and/or shellexecute depending on what you exactly want to do.

Delphi has some legacy stuff for Windows 3.11 that never were in FPC because the windows port was directly for win9x The current windows 3.11 came later and is a different codebase.

In general for things like this there are few general rules. Googling on the subject and a bit of studying is best.

[rvk]

Although it is deprecated.... It is still in there (even in trunk) and still works (even on Windows 64 bit).

Just add Windows to your uses.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. uses Windows;
2.  
3. procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
4. begin
5.   WinExec('CALC.EXE', 1);
6. end;

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. // Winexec is a win16 legacy function, deprecated for 17 years (deprecated since Windows 95).
2. // Annotated the MS deprecated status with a FPC deprecated directive so it won't be used for new development.
3. function WinExec(lpCmdLine:LPCSTR; uCmdShow:UINT):UINT; external 'kernel32' name 'WinExec'; deprecated;

So, nice to just try but if you are really going to use it, read about the newer functions like Marco suggested.

[440bx]

It would also be a good idea for the OP to read about all the function's "idiosyncrasies"  which are found at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/winbase/nf-winbase-winexec

IOW, OP, avoid unpleasant surprises by not using the function unless you know what you're doing.

[Zvoni]

IOW, OP, avoid unpleasant surprises by not using the function unless you know what you're doing.

.... which considering he posted in "Installation".....

[BasicOne]

you could use something with tProcess...

...or a really quick and dirty ShellExec on Windows:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. {$IFDEF WINDOWS}
2.  
3. function ShellExecuteA(hWnd: tHandle; Operation, FileName, Parameters, Directory: PChar; ShowCmd: integer): integer; stdcall; external 'shell32.dll' Name 'ShellExecuteA';
4.  
5. {$ENDIF}
6.  
7. function myCommandline.SendCommandShellExec(fileName, Parameters: ansistring): boolean;
8. begin
9.  Result := False;
10.   {$IFDEF WINDOWS}
11.  if self.fHideWindow then
12.   Result := (ShellExecuteA(0, PChar('open'), PChar(ExtractFileName(fileName)), PChar(Parameters), PChar(ExtractFilePath(fileName)), 0) > 32)
13.  else
14.   Result := (ShellExecuteA(0, PChar('open'), PChar(ExtractFileName(fileName)), PChar(Parameters), PChar(ExtractFilePath(fileName)), 5) > 32);
15.   {$ENDIF}
16. end;
17.  
18.  

I use this in a "myCommandline" class to start external processes. In this class, there is a call using the complex tProcess with output-pipes. And there is this simple funktion calling ShellExecute of the Windows API).

With ShellExecute, Windows starts the application according th file extension, e.g. the application Calc.exe or e.g. some registered pdf-reader if fileName is something like Document.pdf

[1HuntnMan]

Okay everyone,
     I have quite the learning curve from way back long time ago, LoL! Anyway thanks alot for all the great suggestions.
Donald aka 1HuntnMan

[KodeZwerg]

@BasicOne, your approach might work right now but not in future, if you call an A (Ansi) method please use also the Ansi convention in code (PAnsiChar) or straight upgrade to a more modern W (Wide) variant that is full unicode capable on Windows systems.

[marcov]

I added a small section about winexec to the wiki about executing programs.

https://wiki.freepascal.org/Executing_External_Programs

1HuntMan: that is a good place to start with finding a replacement. Or just leave winexec if it is a short term project.