Is it possible to change process name "on fly"?

[MrCreatoR]

Hi there,

I need to change process name while it's runing, is it possible?

I need it because i want to run a3x files with process name the same as a3x script name. For now i have to copy AutoIt3.exe to different name for each a3x script, like this:

Main Script:

_Plugin_Call_Proc(@ScriptDir, "SomePlugin", "au3") ;Here i use au3 only for testing, in generally those are a3x files

Func _Plugin_Call_Proc($sPluginPath, $sPluginName, $sPlgExt="a3x")
    Local $sPlugin_Executer = @TempDir & "\~MyApp_" & $sPluginName & ".plg"
    FileCopy(@AutoItExe, $sPlugin_Executer, 1)
    
    RunWait($sPlugin_Executer & ' /AutoIt3ExecuteScript "' & $sPluginPath & '\' & $sPluginName & '.' & $sPlgExt & '"', $sPluginPath)
    FileDelete($sPlugin_Executer)
EndFunc

SomePlugin.au3:

MsgBox(64, "Hello!", "I am a plugin, i was executed from a process name: " & StringRegExpReplace(@AutoItExe, "^.*\\", ""))

This process slowing down the execution of my main application (the plugins called on startup, and there can be many of them), and as you can see, function have to wait until the plugin is finishes, and this is not always wanted - I can manage it with timers and PID's array checking process, but i thought that if i could just rename the process, it would be much much easier.

[martin]

Hi there,

I need to change process name while it's runing, is it possible?

I need it because i want to run a3x files with process name the same as a3x script name. For now i have to copy AutoIt3.exe to different name for each a3x script, like this:

Main Script:

_Plugin_Call_Proc(@ScriptDir, "SomePlugin", "au3") ;Here i use au3 only for testing, in generally those are a3x files

Func _Plugin_Call_Proc($sPluginPath, $sPluginName, $sPlgExt="a3x")
    Local $sPlugin_Executer = @TempDir & "\~MyApp_" & $sPluginName & ".plg"
    FileCopy(@AutoItExe, $sPlugin_Executer, 1)
    
    RunWait($sPlugin_Executer & ' /AutoIt3ExecuteScript "' & $sPluginPath & '\' & $sPluginName & '.' & $sPlgExt & '"', $sPluginPath)
    FileDelete($sPlugin_Executer)
EndFunc

SomePlugin.au3:

MsgBox(64, "Hello!", "I am a plugin, i was executed from a process name: " & StringRegExpReplace(@AutoItExe, "^.*\\", ""))

This process slowing down the execution of my main application (the plugins called on startup, and there can be many of them), and as you can see, function have to wait until the plugin is finishes, and this is not always wanted - I can manage it with timers and PID's array checking process, but i thought that if i could just rename the process, it would be much much easier.

I don't know if it's possible to rename a process. But why don't you compile your scripts and run them as executables? If they were all compiled beforehand then it might speed things up as well.

[Cdma1X]

in AutoIt language this is Impossible but in Delphi, c#, C++ i think maybe...

[MrCreatoR]

I don't know if it's possible to rename a process. But why don't you compile your scripts and run them as executables? If they were all compiled beforehand then it might speed things up as well.

I don't want to compile because the size of each executable is not so small (as it use to be).

in AutoIt language this is Impossible but in Delphi, c#, C++ i think maybe...

If it's possible on C++, then i think there is a chance that on AutoIt it will be possible to. Do you have any examples on C/Delphi?

[Cdma1X]

If it's possible on C++, then i think there is a chance that on AutoIt it will be possible to. Do you have any examples on C/Delphi?

once i saw a source code by a indian guy which was able to do some changes and control in task manager, but i don't remember it. i will try to find it...

[martin]

once i saw a source code by a indian guy which was able to do some changes and control in task manager, but i don't remember it. i will try to find it...

If you only need to run only a few processes at once then I can think of a rather bad idea but not a good one.

You run each process as a different user with runas. You could create extra users and identify which process is which by the user. If you need lots of processes it's not practical, and if you don't want fictional users it's no good.

But why can't you use the PID to identify which one is which?

[ptrex]

@MrCreatoR

I might know a way to just do all these things you need.

Also this method does not need you to include the source in the compile EXE.

The method is called ADS (Alternate Data Stream)

Running it with a process name you define.

But it needs testing.

Therefor I need you to tell me how to create a a3x file.

Because I never used it this far.

Regards,

ptrex

[MrCreatoR]

@martin

If you need lots of processes it's not practical

Yes, it could be a lots of processeses, 5-10, is this a lot?

But why can't you use the PID to identify which one is which?

This is not for identification - I need it only because i don't want that my app will appear with the same process name in processes list every time plugin is executed, every plugin (i.e: Script.a3x) should look (and act) like seperate process, with the name of the plugin itself.

@ptrex

Therefor I need you to tell me how to create a a3x file.

Create a3x files is easy: Just run the Aut2Exe tool, and as destination file set a3x extension, now just press «Convert», that's it

ScreenShot:

Thanks for helping, i hope you will success with this method...

[ptrex]

@MrCreatoR

I got something running.

Try this Example :

First save the A3x file in the C:\ to begin with.

; Create a dummy file
Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & "echo Just dummy file>c:\Msgbox.exe", "", @SW_HIDE, 2)
ConsoleWrite("OK File Created" & @CRLF)
Sleep(2000)
;Add the compiler to the file
Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & 'Type ' & '"'&@AutoItExe&'"' & '>c:\Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.exe', "C:\", @SW_HIDE, 2)
ConsoleWrite("OK Added Compiler" & @CRLF)
Sleep(2000)
;Add the Script to the file
Run(@ComSpec & " /c " &'Type c:\Msgbox.a3x>c:\Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.a3x', "C:\", @SW_HIDE, 2)
ConsoleWrite("OK Added Script" & @CRLF)
Sleep(2000)
;Run it all
Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & 'start .\Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.exe Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.a3x',"C:\", @SW_HIDE, 2)
ConsoleWrite("Run it !!" & @CRLF)oÝ÷ ØéÜ{*.±ç­+-{[£©¥æ«
Xâ­ )h±è­
é^µê+EéÚëaxË nZߧ¶ÓÝ¢W^­©Ý®éí+%jËew¨§jëh×6Run(@ComSpec & " /c " & 'start .\Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.exe Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.a3x',"C:\", @SW_HIDE, 2)
ConsoleWrite("Run it !!" & @CRLF)

Msgbox.zip

Enjoy !!

ptrex

[MrCreatoR]

@ptrex

Hm, i am not sure that i understand how it works, can this be used as UDF? So we could just specify proccess name (any name) and run it? or do we have to path the a3x file first and then run it? this is almost the same as renaming the file, it's also will slow down the execution

[ptrex]

@MrCreatoR

Of course this can be reworked in a UDF form.

But for now this is a proof of concept. I this what you are looking for ?

Regarding the speed.

Ones the A3x has been incoporated it should not take more time than running it in a normal way.

But I have tested large A3x files yet maybe you can do a test. Just replace the MSGBOX.A3x by one of yours.

And run the initialisation setup again. Afterwards test it. by running the last command again.

Did you check the process name as well ?

Regards

ptrex

[MrCreatoR]

@ptrex

But for now this is a proof of concept. I this what you are looking for ?

I think yes.

Ones the A3x has been incoporated it should not take more time than running it in a normal way.

So the concept here is to convert (?) my a3x scripts to exe, and then when i start the script i just run it?

P.S

It's not working on my system (Russian localization), there is message saing «Windows Can not find C:\Msgbox.exe:Msgbox.exe», i checked yesterday on other system and it worked ...

Edited October 15, 2008 by MrCreatoR

[ptrex]

@MrCreatoR

The concept I would use in your case is this :

1. create a AU3 "EXE" that has the command to run the A3x ADS scripts.

Like I showed you how to add A3x in an file before.

2. Add the A3x to the EXE ( being flexible to update as a PlugIns and choose which process name you want it to run ).

3. Distribute both the EXE and A3x file to the Client.

4. Run the initialitation commands as shown before.

Finished.

More and more people are picking up on ADS these days ? I am not sure if this post has anything to do with it

Have a look here :

ADS UDF

ADS

NTFS ADS

Regards

ptrex

[rasim]

Enjoy !!

Very nice example! Thank you!

[ptrex]

@rasim

You are welcome.

regards,

ptrex

[MrCreatoR]

@ptrex

The concept I would use in your case is this :

But it's not working for me, i can't get to work your example on my home computer

As i understood from reading about ADS, this method works only on NTFS file system (i have FAT32), and if it's true, then this method not good for me... i need something that will work on any (WIN) system (well, as much as possible any way)...

Edited October 17, 2008 by MrCreatoR