ExecDos plug-in

Author: Takhir (talk, contrib)

Links

Download:
ExecDos.zip (40 KB)
Forum thread

Description

Plug-in works with console applications - creates hidden child process with redirected i/o. Compare to NSISdl has three add-ons: 1) string parameter that serves as stdin for running application; 2) sync/async (background) process launch option; 3) it works out of section. First may be useful if you want to give login/password to running application, second - for long running applications, third - for .onInit check -outs. Plug-in puts log to file (if valid file name defined in the command line) instead of 'detailed' installer window. Maximim input string size for application is 8kB in the special NSIS build, 1 kB otherwise.

How To Use

ExecDos::exec [/NOUNLOAD /ASYNC] [/TIMEOUT=xxx] application_to_run [stdin_string] [log_file_name]

ASYNC

Not waits for process exit. Use 'wait' call if you want to get exit code

TIMEOUT

TOTAL execution time, milliseconds, for example /TIMEOUT=10000. Default is big enough. Short timeouts may cause app to be terminated.

application_to_run

application to run.

stdin_string

all that application can get from stdin (optional, use "" if stack is not empty)

log_file_name

file where to put app's stdout (optional, but use "" if stack is not empty)

Example

ExecDos::exec /TIMEOUT=2000 "$EXEDIR\consApp.exe" "test_login$\ntest_pwd$\n" "$EXEDIR\execdos.log"
Pop $0 # return value
MessageBox MB_OK "Exit code $0"

or

ExecDos::exec /NOUNLOAD /ASYNC "$EXEDIR\consApp.exe" "test_login$\ntest_pwd$\n" "$EXEDIR\execdos.log"
# place here some installation code or Sleep+DetailPrint
ExecDos::wait
Pop $0 # return value
MessageBox MB_OK "Exit code $0"

or

ExecDos::exec "$EXEDIR\consApp.exe" "" ""
Pop $0 # return value
MessageBox MB_OK "Exit code $0"

BAT files specifics. On some of Win98 systems where "Close on exit" option is not set for DOS apps it was found that after batch execution was finished (and installer continue it's job) hidden window still remains in the system as "winoldapp". Following two lines solve the problem

@echo off
# place your code here
cls

Telnet and ssh Plug-in not works with applications requiring terminal emulation.