32 bit and 64 build problem

[ColinRH]

I'm having a problem creating a 64 bit exe using Aut2Exe. I'm running on a Windows 7 64 bit PC and OS.

If I compile my test script using a right click on the test script I can successfully create a 32 bit or a 64 bit exe. I can easily check this by looking at the properties of the exe, compatibility settings where, for the 64 bit exe compatibility settings "below" Vista are not available whereas, for the 32 bit exe they are.

If I compile using Aut2Exe (running it from a non-compiled au3 script) then, using the method above, both the 32 bit and 64 bit builds appear to actually be 32 bit exes. The file, MakeTest.au3 is attached.

MakeTest.au3

If I try to do the same build using the command line input for Aut2Exe I can build the 32 bit version OK but the 64 bit build returns the error "Unable to read in AutoIt stub file. (AutoItSC.bin)". Surely it should be looking for AutItSC_x64.bin if I use the /x64 switch shouldn't it?

If I try to run Aut2exe_x64 from the command line I get the "not recognised as an internal or external command" message.

However, double clicking on Aut2exe_x64 and using the UI that's displayed I do get a 64 bit version built.

I'm very confused - I really need to use a script to compile both 32 and 64 bit versions as the whole thing is part of an automatically built installation "application". Can anyone make sense of it for me or ami I just being stupid?

[BrewManNH]

It's because you're using the wrong executable when trying to compile as a 64 bit program. Aut2Exe.exe is only for creating x86 versions, use Aut2exe_x64.exe and see if that works for you.

[ColinRH]

BrewManNH

Thanks for your reply - however I did say in my (probably rather rambling post) that I could indeed use Aut2Exe_x64 and produce a 64 bit exe but only when I double clicked Aut2Exe_x64 to bring up its GUI. I need to be able to build using the command line (and that failed - see original post) and I don't understand why other methods fail e.g. why the /x64 switch for Aut2Exe if it doesn't actually make a 64 bit exe?

[BrewManNH]

Did you include its path in the command line?

[ColinRH]

Hi BrewmanNH

Well, now I do feel stupid. You're right...the path wasn't specified. So I can now confirm this (assuming the "compatibility" tab from the properties shows what I believe to be true):

using Aut2Exe with /x86 creates a 32 bit exe

using Aut2Exe with /x64 creates a 64 bit exe

using Aut2Exe_x64 with /x86 creates a 32 bit exe

using Aut2Exe_x64 with /x64 creates a 64 bit exe

So, using the command line, I get exactly what I expect to get! That raises another question, why 2 compilers? Each 32 bit and each 64 bit exe are the same size (635KB and 791KB respectively) which is some confirmation that they are the same.

Also, using the script to invoke Aut2Exe, I removed the /bin "AutoItSC" switch...now it gives me a 64 bit version.

I think the problems have been of my own making - need to do a bit more checking but I think you've helped me resolve things.

Thank you!

[guinness]

Why not use SciTE4AutoIt3 and the application AutoItWrapper which comes as part of the package?

[ColinRH]

guinness,

In reply to your post, I agree that ScitTE4AutoIt3 is a great tool in general and is particularly convenient for building 32/64 bit execs. The reason why it is not being used is that I'd have to drive it from AutoIt and, in this case, it's easier to just invoke Aut2Exe directly. What I am doing is dynamically creating an AutoIt script from another AutoIt script, so I don't have the text of the script that's about to be compiled until it is created by the first AutoIt script (which is not the one I want to compile). Hope that makes some sense - that's why it isn't being compiled from SciTE4AutoIt3.

[guinness]

OK, thanks for the explanation.

[jchd]

@ColinRH

You can also execute any .au3 script from any compiled AutoIt script. The help file says (Using AutoIt >> Running Scripts):

Form3: Compiled.exe [/ErrorStdOut] [/AutoIt3ExecuteScript file] [params ...]

Execute another script file from a compiled AutoIt3 Script File. Then you don't need to fileinstall another copy of AutoIT3.exe in your compiled file.

[Jos]

You could still use autoit3wrapper.exe in a commandline and use all its features.

Jos