SOLVED:Running an installer with a wildcard

[CodingMonkey81]

All,

I'm working on automating the update process for a piece of software that we use at my company. The installer file always contains the version number as a part of the file name (eg InstallFile_9342.msi) and the numbers always change with every update.

How do I use AutoIt to run the program? I know I can't use a wildcard in place of the numbers when using the "Run" command. 

I tried 

Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("C:\path\to\file", "InstallFile_*.msi", 0, 1)
Run("$aArray")

and I also tried

Local $bInstall = FileFindFirstFile("InstallFile_*.msi")
Run("$bInstall")

and neither worked. 

Can someone please point me in the right direction? I've done some searching on the forum and haven't found anyone in a similar situation before.

Thanks!

Edited December 8, 2017 by CodingMonkey81

[czardas]

If the numbers are always 4 digits (or an equal number of digits), then you could just filter part of the file name (using _FileListToArray) and then use _ArraySort(). The last array element ought to be the latest version. You could try this approach to see if it works in your situation, and find out if there are any extra steps needed.

Edited November 29, 2017 by czardas

[CodingMonkey81]

Do you know of any "real world" examples of how to use the two functions you've mentioned?

[Earthshine]

this came straight from the help file. plus in the help file you can just open and run it from autoit

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>

Example()

Func Example()
    ; List all the files and folders in the desktop directory using the default parameters and return the full path.
    Local $aFileList = _FileListToArray(@DesktopDir, Default, Default, True)
    If @error = 1 Then
        MsgBox($MB_SYSTEMMODAL, "", "Path was invalid.")
        Exit
    EndIf
    If @error = 4 Then
        MsgBox($MB_SYSTEMMODAL, "", "No file(s) were found.")
        Exit
    EndIf
    ; Display the results returned by _FileListToArray.
    _ArrayDisplay($aFileList, "$aFileList")
EndFunc   ;==>Example

 

; using a 2D array

#include <Array.au3>

Local $avArray[5][3] = [ _
        [5, 20, 8], _
        [4, 32, 7], _
        [3, 16, 9], _
        [2, 35, 0], _
        [1, 19, 6]]

_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArray BEFORE _ArraySort()")
_ArraySort($avArray, 0, 0, 0, 0)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArray AFTER _ArraySort() ascending column 0")
_ArraySort($avArray, 0, 0, 0, 1)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArray AFTER _ArraySort() ascending column 1")
_ArraySort($avArray, 0, 0, 0, 2)
_ArrayDisplay($avArray, "$avArray AFTER _ArraySort() ascending column 2")

 

Edited November 29, 2017 by Earthshine

[CodingMonkey81]

Ok. I'll have to look at this and see what I can figure out. Honestly (for the limited "coding" skills I have), it might just be easier to run the file manually.

[Earthshine]

1 hour ago, CodingMonkey81 said:

Ok. I'll have to look at this and see what I can figure out. Honestly (for the limited "coding" skills I have), it might just be easier to run the file manually.

try this for a example of how to load an array and sort it. just substitute your path and your search argument into the first two arguments passed to _FileListToArray

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>

Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("C:\path\to\file", 'InstallFile*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;~ _ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """ /quiet /qn"
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

 

Edited November 29, 2017 by Earthshine

[Earthshine]

I just used any old msi i could get to test, but sorting descending should leave the latest version on top so then you build your installer string and run it. any questions, come on back.

the tripple """ are to encapsulate the path in double quotes, in case you have spaces in the path. The ConsoleWrite writes out what it finds in the array to help you debug in case the command is wrong. mine looked like this for a test. (I'm on fire now folks)

 

Edited November 29, 2017 by Earthshine

[ViciousXUSMC]

FileListToArray() works great.

I also use RegEx if I plan to only have one installer at any given time but the numbers change so that it can match any number.

 

If your version numbers end up being set in a way that you cant not always get the correct result with an ascending/descending list, use FileGetTime() and then you can sort by modified/created dates.

[Earthshine]

excellent point ViciousXUSMC. my best friend is also ex USMC btw

[CodingMonkey81]

On 11/29/2017 at 9:57 AM, Earthshine said:

try this for a example of how to load an array and sort it. just substitute your path and your search argument into the first two arguments passed to _FileListToArray

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>

Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("C:\path\to\file", 'InstallFile*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;~ _ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """ /quiet /qn"
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

 

Ok. So I tried this (modifying the necessary portions) but all it does it pop up a dialog box with the information (ArrayDisplay) The display does show the correct file in row 0. I don't know how to make the "leap" from getting the information to using it.

 

Also, I removed the "/quiet /qn" flags as I need the GUI to come up.

 

Thanks!

Edited December 6, 2017 by CodingMonkey81
Adding Screenshot

[Earthshine]

that's funny.  I see something like this. I think you are feeding it a garbage path. the array display function is only called for your convenience. once closed, it builds the string and executes it. I saw garbage in your results. Don't know what to tell you. comment out the arraydisplay like this. just uncomment it if you care to see the list of msi files it finds. that's all. 

 

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>

Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("w:\editdocs\build", '*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;~ _ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

;~ Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """ /quiet /qn"
Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

Edited December 6, 2017 by Earthshine

[careca]

But still, array[0] should retrieve the count, and not a path, right?

Only now noticed the sort.

" I don't know how to make the "leap" from getting the information to using it. "

What do you mean? that information is

$aArray[0]

Edited December 6, 2017 by careca

[Earthshine]

yeah, he doesn't get that the information he wants is in $aArray[0] (element zero, first element) and that you need to construct the command to install it using msiexec as follows.

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

 

[CodingMonkey81]

On 12/6/2017 at 4:08 PM, Earthshine said:

yeah, he doesn't get that the information he wants is in $aArray[0] (element zero, first element) and that you need to construct the command to install it using msiexec as follows.

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

 

If I use 

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """

Autoit SyntaxProdCheck throws me an error message. I have to add another " at the end for it to not error out during the check.

 

If I use this:

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>
Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("D:\Path\To\File", 'StaticFileName*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;_ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

;Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

The SyntaxProdCheck gives me a warning: "warning: $str: possibly used before declaration."

 

I'm still not sure where I'm going wrong as I'm trying (and failing) to understand where my issue is.

Thank you for the help in this. I do want to learn this even if it's a bit over my head.

[Earthshine]

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>
Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("D:\Path\To\File", 'StaticFileName*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;_ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """"
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

You commented out the declaration of $str in your code, and I fixed the quote thing. try that. Compare the code in your post to this post and see what a difference a stray ';' character can cause.

 

Edited December 8, 2017 by Earthshine

[CodingMonkey81]

On 12/6/2017 at 2:25 PM, Earthshine said:

that's funny.  I see something like this. I think you are feeding it a garbage path. the array display function is only called for your convenience. once closed, it builds the string and executes it. I saw garbage in your results. Don't know what to tell you. comment out the arraydisplay like this. just uncomment it if you care to see the list of msi files it finds. that's all. 

 

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>

Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("w:\editdocs\build", '*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;~ _ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

;~ Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """ /quiet /qn"
Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

Ok. So, If I use this code:

 

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>
Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("D:\Path\To\File", 'StaticFileName*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
_ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

;Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """
;ConsoleWrite($str)

 

I get a dialog box that does show the correct path.

[CodingMonkey81]

24 minutes ago, Earthshine said:

#include <Array.au3>
#include <File.au3>
#include <MsgBoxConstants.au3>
Local $aArray = _FileListToArray("D:\Path\To\File", 'StaticFileName*.msi', Default, True)
_ArraySort($aArray, 1) ; sorts descending, latest version on top at element 0
;_ArrayDisplay ($aArray)

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """"
ConsoleWrite($str)
RunWait($str)

You commented out the declaration of $str in your code, and I fixed the quote thing. try that. Compare the code in your post to this post and see what a difference a stray ';' character can cause.

 

Holy crap, it works!

If I understand this correctly (in the above code) the commented out item is the dialog box and it's being commented out because we don't see to see it but it's there for checking purposes. Right?

I somewhat understand the rest. It's taking the file(s) that it finds, sorting them with the newest on "top", write it to the $aArray function, creates  a "run" command for the msi file using the $aArray value and then runs it. 

To me this feel like learning a foreign language; when it's written out I can understand it but trying to write something from scratch that's correct is much more difficult.

 

Thank you all again!

Edited December 8, 2017 by CodingMonkey81
Grammer

[Earthshine]

yes, we comment out the ArrayDisplay call. that is for testing purposes to see if we have the correct results before we fire the real function that does the work. the line 

Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """"

declares the string variable $str and also sets it to the command that installs your desired program

let this be your first tool you have created. go forth and prosper in code. come back and start new threads for other problems! NEVER stop learning and growing yourself!

 

you CAN code! you use pseudo code methods.

describe what you want to do in bullet points even, organize according to functionality you want to provide and create more bullets underneath to flesh out your algorithm. the computer language nonsense is just syntax. once you learn AutoIt you could probably learn another language easier. my first was BASIC and Assembler for the 6809e Motorola processor (64K Color Computer, LOL)

Edited December 8, 2017 by Earthshine

[careca]

You had this:

;Local $str = "msiexec /i """ & $aArray[0] & """ <---- It was commented out, so not read.
ConsoleWrite($str) ;<----here you used the variable $str, but since it was not set, you got the error, it's like, it was the first time the script has "seen" that variable.
RunWait($str)

 

Edited December 8, 2017 by careca

[Earthshine]

he solved it mate