How do I...RunCmd with "&" in arguments

[sshrum]

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml&dir=/code"
RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & "start " & $sAppDonations)

Everything works up to the point where the "&" is which is getting cut off.

What do I need to do in order for this to get passed in its entirety to the browser?

TIA

Edited October 10, 2005 by sshrum

[jefhal]

Never mind...

Edited October 10, 2005 by jefhal

[Valuater]

this worked

;$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml&dir=/code"

$sAppDonations = "www.XPCleanMenu.HostRocket.com"
RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & "start " & $sAppDonations, "", @SW_MINIMIZE)

its in your web indentification

8)

Edited October 10, 2005 by Valuater

[sshrum]

(Note the original post)

Try passing a web URL with multiple arguments...it will pass the first but strip everything at and past the first '&' you supply.

URLs with 0 arguments: works

URLs with 1 argument: works

URLs with 2 or more arguments: fail due to missing 2nd, 3rd, nth argument

The website URL I am using works fine if I type it into a browser. I'm trying to get it passed as a command line to the associated browser via the shell.

When this code is executed, the browser brings up:

+ http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml

Instead of:

+ http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/d...shtml&dir=/code

Edited October 10, 2005 by sshrum

[Valuater]

this worked

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml" & "dir=/code"

;$sAppDonations = "www.XPCleanMenu.HostRocket.com"
RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & "start " & $sAppDonations, "", @SW_MINIMIZE)

8)

[Jos]

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml" & "dir=/code"

There's a big difference between your line and the posted issue ...

This demo's the issue that everyting gets cut off after the &:

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml&dir=/code"

RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & "start echo " & $sAppDonations)

Don't have a real good solution but this works so maybe triggers ideas to get to the solution:

$sAppDonations = '"http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml&dir=/code"'

RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & "start explorer " & $sAppDonations)

Edited October 10, 2005 by JdeB

[flyingboz]

There's a big difference between your line and the posted issue ...

There is no need to "fix" - the proper arguments must be supplied to the command shell.

& is the 'command chain' operator in dos and dos-like shells (also *nix, from which dos derived

some of its most useful features

i.e., from a command prompt type

date /t & time /t

both programs will run.

If I remember my dos, the solution is to "escape" the &, using the ^ operator. i.e.

echo this will not display the ampersand &
echo this will display the ampersand ^&

Edited October 10, 2005 by flyingboz

[sshrum]

The "^" fixed it.

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml^&dir=/code"

Edited October 10, 2005 by sshrum

[Valuater]

There is no need to "fix" - the proper arguments must be supplied to the command shell.

& is the 'command chain' operator in dos and dos-like shells (also *nix, from which dos derived

some of its most useful features

i.e., from a command prompt type

date /t & time /t

both programs will run.

If I remember my dos, the solution is to "escape" the &, using the ^ operator. i.e.

echo this will not display the ampersand &
echo this will display the ampersand ^&

so.... in laymans terms ( other wise known as "hobbyist terms")

this is a valid approach or not a valid approach to the posters question ( it does work)

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml" & "dir=/code"
RunWait(@ComSpec & " /c " & "start " & $sAppDonations, "", @SW_MINIMIZE)

?????

thx

8)

[jefhal]

If I test your url on the command line with iexplore:

c:\iexplore.exe" http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/d...shtml&dir=/code

It gives an error:

Parameter format not correct - "code".

Looks like your url is not acceptable, at least to IE...

[flyingboz]

@sshrum - glad to help

@valuater - The key, in my mind, whether you are a "hobbyist", or make a living programming ,

is whether you understand the issue, and the advantages / limitations of the proposed solution.

[w0uter]

just use alternative ways then @ComSpec

_INetBrowse has like 3 other

[Jos]

If I remember my dos, the solution is to "escape" the &, using the ^ operator. i.e.

Thanks for reminding the solution... I knew there was one but just couldn't remember it.. (guess the DOS stuff is slowly fading..)

so.... in laymans terms ( other wise known as "hobbyist terms")

this is a valid approach or not a valid approach to the posters question ( it does work)

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml" & "dir=/code"

As mentioned: its not the same.

$sAppDonations = "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml" & "dir=/code"

results in $sAppDonations containing "http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtmldir=/code"

But the URL needed is :

"http://www.shrum.net/cats.php?body=/code/donations.shtml&dir=/code"

See the difference ?