Can't get an external program to run from a different directory as the script, but use the script's directory as it's working dir.

[sciosalvi]

The subject summarizes it all.

There's an external app that I'm running that, when run with Run($app_path,@ScriptDir), it just runs with the directory that it was extracted to as it's working directory.

Any way to solve this? I can't pass the problem to the running app, it's actually a suite of different apps for which we have no way of reprogramming, it's a legacy system that for now can't be upgraded.

Thanks for the ideas!

[orbs]

workaround: call a batch file that CD's to the working directory and then let that batch file call the exe.

note: this is a workaround, but of course a solution is preferred. i encountered a similar issue once, but didn't have the time to put in it. i'll get to it.. sometime.

[sciosalvi]

workaround: call a batch file that CD's to the working directory and then let that batch file call the exe.

note: this is a workaround, but of course a solution is preferred. i encountered a similar issue once, but didn't have the time to put in it. i'll get to it.. sometime.

Hi!

I tried doing these 2 things:

1) Running a bat at @scriptdir, which goes to the folder where the app is located with "cd" and runs it

2) Running a bat at @scriptdir, which calls the exe directly from the working dir by using it's full path.

With both I received the same result.

Here's a sample script for the code I'm using:

$app = @TempDir & "\app.exe"
FileInstall("app.exe",$app)
ShellExecute("launcher.bat",@WorkingDir)

I also tried with Run, RunWait and ShellExecuteWait.

 

This is the bat, the 2 versions:

cd %temp%
app.exe

%temp%\app.exe

[orbs]

check your cd %temp% properly:

it may require double-quotes if there are spaces in it:

cd "%temp%"

it may be on another drive:

C:

cd "%temp%"

add a pause and examine the prompt to make sure you are in the right place:

C:

cd "%temp%"

pause

app.exe

[sciosalvi]

 

check your cd %temp% properly:

it may require double-quotes if there are spaces in it:

cd "%temp%"

it may be on another drive:

C:

cd "%temp%"

add a pause and examine the prompt to make sure you are in the right place:

C:

cd "%temp%"

pause

app.exe

 

Hi!

Yes, I did.

I added a pause before it changes directory and after it runs, it's running perfectly, so the bat is not the issue.

[orbs]

sorry for late reply. first, Run() works as expected with a simple test. take this:

Run('cmd.exe',@ScriptDir)

compile it, put the exe anywhere in your drive, call it from anywhere else, and see that the prompt is the path where you put the exe.

(tested on AutoIt 3.3.8.1)

now, please describe your issue better, because i think you may be trying to solve the incorrect problem. if you manage to set the working directory successfully, then what exactly is the problem?

[JohnOne]

Did you consider

FileChangeDir