Script.exe return value

[Xenobiologist]

HI,

I searched for it, but I cannot find it. What I am trying to do is starting my script.exe in a DosBox or something and gave a value back when the script ends.

E.g:

start script.exe

The script reads a txt file extracts the value for version= ... and returns it.

So, the script which starts the autoit.exe gets the value example 1.16

How can I do it?

ConsoleWrite doesn´t work.

Return although doesn´t seem to work.

So long,

Mega

P.S.: I´m sure there must be a simple answer, but I cannot find it.

[flaxcrack]

HI,

I searched for it, but I cannot find it. What I am trying to do is starting my script.exe in a DosBox or something and gave a value back when the script ends.

E.g:

start script.exe

The script reads a txt file extracts the value for version= ... and returns it.

So, the script which starts the autoit.exe gets the value example 1.16

How can I do it?

ConsoleWrite doesn´t work.

Return although doesn´t seem to work.

So long,

Mega

P.S.: I´m sure there must be a simple answer, but I cannot find it.

RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo "$var)

[Xenobiologist]

RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo "$var)

Thanks, you forgot the & it must be

RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo " & $var)

Hmmh, but that is still not what I wanted.

Now, the script.exe opens an extra DOS-window. I want the script to paste the return value to the one where the script was started.

Exactly, my prob is, I want to catch the return value of my autoitscript, so that I can work with the result in another script.

Claer?

So long,

Mega

[Valuater]

you were working on somethng like this earlier

#include <file.au3>
Global $file = FileOpen ( "C:\temp\check.txt", 0)
Global $ver = 1.3

$check = FileReadLine ( $file, 1 )
Msgbox (0, "Titel", $ver & @CRLF & $check)
if $ver >= $check Then
    MsgBox ( 0, "Update", "Your version is up to date" )
Else
    MsgBox ( 0, "Update", "Your Version is out of date" )
EndIf
FileClose($file)

cant you write it to a file, then have the other script read it??

8)i

Edited February 6, 2006 by Valuater

[cdkid]

ClipPut($var)
WinActivate("commandwindowtitlehere")
send(ClipGet())

--maybe?

~cdkid

[Xenobiologist]

Valuater: you were working on somethng like this earlier

@Valuater: No, that was an example where I helped somebody else.

Valuater: cant you write it to a file, then have the other script read it??

@Valuater: No, the info I need to give back is already in a file, and I read it with myscript.exe.

@cdKid: Thanks, I will test it, although it is not a very nice solution.

@all: If an script.exe written in autoit --- ends, is there a return code or value?

Maybe it runs perfectly fine and the return code is 0. Can I get that value anayway?

And if I can get it, can I manipulate it?

I want to use a whole script.exe as to say as a function which gives a defined return value back.

Crazy: but something like this:

func script.exe()

read the version out an txt file

return $version

That is what I have so far.

#include <file.au3>

If $CmdLine[0] > 0 Then
    $path = $CmdLine[1]
Else
    $path = @WorkingDir & "\settings.ini"
EndIf

version()

Func version()
    Dim $aRecords
    If Not _FileReadToArray($path, $aRecords) Then
        RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo " & "File not found in " & $path & '  ErrorCode: ' & @error)
        Exit
    EndIf
    
    For $x = 1 To $aRecords[0]
        If StringInStr($aRecords[$x], "version =") Then
            $version = StringMid($aRecords[$x], 11, 4)
            RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo " & $version)
        Else
            ContinueLoop
        EndIf
    Next
EndFunc  ;==>version

So long and thanks for your replies,

Mega

[MHz]

DOS Batch file

@echo off
Test.exe
echo %errorlevel%
pause

Test.exe

Exit 1234

Exit only supports Integers though.

[DaveF]

Continuing MHz's post, if you're reading floating point numbers with no more than a few, consistent decimal places you can multiply by 100/1000/whatever before you call Exit in the child script, then divide by the same value in the parent script.

If the numbers/strings that you're reading aren't consistent or floating point numbers then you'd be better off with ConsoleWrite (child script) and StdoutRead (parent script).

[Edit: Clarification.]

Edited February 6, 2006 by DaveF

[Xenobiologist]

Continuing MHz's post, if you're reading floating point numbers with no more than a few, consistent decimal places you can multiply by 100/1000/whatever before you call Exit in the child script, then divide by the same value in the parent script.

If the numbers/strings that you're reading aren't consistent or floating point numbers then you'd be better off with ConsoleWrite (child script) and StdoutRead (parent script).

[Edit: Clarification.]

Thank you, but ...

I tried this

#include <file.au3>

Global $version = 0

If $CmdLine[0] > 0 Then
    $path = $CmdLine[1]
Else
    $path = @WorkingDir & "\settings.ini"
EndIf

version()

Func version()
    Dim $aRecords
    If Not _FileReadToArray($path, $aRecords) Then
        RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo " & "File not found in " & $path & '  ErrorCode: ' & @error)
        Exit
    EndIf
    
    For $x = 1 To $aRecords[0]
        If StringInStr($aRecords[$x], "version =") Then
            $version = StringMid($aRecords[$x], 11, 4)
            $version *= 100
        Else
            ContinueLoop
        EndIf
    Next
EndFunc  ;==>version
Exit($version)

Batch file:

@echo off
start c:\downloads\Autoit-skripte\entwicklung\readversion.exe c:\downloads\Autoit-skripte\entwicklung\settings.ini
echo %errorlevel%
echo %errorlevel% / 100
pause

Output is:

0

0 / 100

Did I make anything totally wrong?

So long,

Mega

[flaxcrack]

Thank you, but ...

I tried this

#include <file.au3>

Global $version = 0

If $CmdLine[0] > 0 Then
    $path = $CmdLine[1]
Else
    $path = @WorkingDir & "\settings.ini"
EndIf

version()

Func version()
    Dim $aRecords
    If Not _FileReadToArray($path, $aRecords) Then
        RunWait(@ComSpec & " /k echo " & "File not found in " & $path & '  ErrorCode: ' & @error)
        Exit
    EndIf
    
    For $x = 1 To $aRecords[0]
        If StringInStr($aRecords[$x], "version =") Then
            $version = StringMid($aRecords[$x], 11, 4)
            $version *= 100
        Else
            ContinueLoop
        EndIf
    Next
EndFunc ;==>version
Exit($version)

Batch file:

@echo off
start c:\downloads\Autoit-skripte\entwicklung\readversion.exe c:\downloads\Autoit-skripte\entwicklung\settings.ini
echo %errorlevel%
echo %errorlevel% / 100
pause

Output is:

0

0 / 100

Did I make anything totally wrong?

So long,

Mega

Ahhhah.... I know what you want now. I was wondering the same thing for my new function and I was also wondering if there was a way to have arguments for the command line.

[greenmachine]

I was going to say console functions (read and write primarily), but then I was wondering if it would work to return to the cmd prompt, since I remember reading that AutoIt (or Windows...) disconnects exes from the console. Something like that.

I was also going to mention using stdout/stdin functions if you're running a script from another script so that the two scripts can communicate, but it doesn't look like you're doing that.

I suppose I don't really have a clue after all, but I have some ideas that you might end up finding useful.

[Xenobiologist]

I was going to say console functions (read and write primarily), but then I was wondering if it would work to return to the cmd prompt, since I remember reading that AutoIt (or Windows...) disconnects exes from the console. Something like that.

I was also going to mention using stdout/stdin functions if you're running a script from another script so that the two scripts can communicate, but it doesn't look like you're doing that.

I suppose I don't really have a clue after all, but I have some ideas that you might end up finding useful.

Thanks, greenmachine. I put a bit more effort in my first script. So, I didn´t need to use the autoit.exe for extracting the version and so on.

But after all, I´m still wondring why autoit isn´t able to act like e.g. the find command in DOS.

find settings.ini "version" and the result is printed on the DosBox.

So what, ...

So long,

Mega

[skippynz]

isnt the return code of "0" from %errorlevel% just a standard MSDOS Code for success ? ie you got a 0 cause the script was successful. i think if the script failed to run you would probably get a 1 or some other number that would indicate the level of failure ? ie from ms office 1602 is user canceled etc

[Xenobiologist]

isnt the return code of "0" from %errorlevel% just a standard MSDOS Code for success ? ie you got a 0 cause the script was successful. i think if the script failed to run you would probably get a 1 or some other number that would indicate the level of failure ? ie from ms office 1602 is user canceled etc

Hi,

maybe you are right. Then, how I can send and catch another return code of an autoit-script.exe?

So long,

Mega

[skippynz]

Hi,

maybe you are right. Then, how I can send and catch another return code of an autoit-script.exe?

So long,

Mega

i just confirmed it - 0 is the script completed without failure, and i just tested by exiting script while at a message box and i then %errorlevel% was now - 9009

think your best bet is either write a registry setting (somewhere that all users can access) or write to a file what you want or need to get back from the second script.

[DaveF]

Hi,

maybe you are right. Then, how I can send and catch another return code of an autoit-script.exe?

So long,

Mega

MHz's example in post #7 of this thread does exactly this, the Exit statement in the AutoIt script sets the errorlevel in the batch file.

Your other option is to use ConsoleWrite, which doesn't work properly at a command prompt or in a BAT file (long explanation upon request). If you only have a single line of output you can work around the problem by piping the output of the AutoIt script through SORT.EXE, a-la:

REM test.bat
start c:\test\test.exe | sort

Treat yourself: forget batch files, just use AutoIt...

[roy]

Hi Mega,

in this example there are 2 scripts: Caller.exe (the calling pgm) and Called.exe (the called pgm).

This tecnique uses standard input/output streams to talk to/back to the caller/called pgm.

Roy.

; CALLER
#include <constants.au3>
; How to call an external compiled Autoit script, pass a parameters and get some value back 
    $foo = Run("Called.exe", @ScriptDir, @SW_HIDE, $STDIN_CHILD + $STDOUT_CHILD)
    StdinWrite($foo, "2"); in the called pgm use ConsoleRead to get this value
    MsgBox(0, "The Caller", "Value returned from called.exe: " & _ 
        StdoutRead($foo)); in the called pgm use ConsoleWrite to pass a value back
Exit

; CALLED
; How to get a value from a calling pgm 
; make some calculations and give value back

    $StdIn = ConsoleRead(); read from standard input stream
    MsgBox(0, "The Called", "Value received from caller.exe: " & $StdIn)
    $StdOut = $StdIn * 2    
    ConsoleWrite($StdOut); write to standard output stream
Exit

[just_beginner]

Hi Xenobiologist,

I think I know how to do this, but with LabView as main script to call the autoit script to read a value from one application.

1.In autoit, I use ConsoleWrite to write the value to console that I read using the same script. 

2. In LabView I use system exec.vi function to call that autoit script (compiled to exe) and the standard output from the function will return whatever is written by ConsoleWrite in autoit script.

Attached is the simple LabView and autoit script to perform as said. 

I'm not sure how to do this with other language like c# etc.

calculator.au3 calculator.exe read_autoit.vi