Function can't open a browser processes in TD5.2

[benedikz]

Hello everyone,

I've encountered a problem trying to call any browser processes via available functions in TD 5.2. My objective is to open a browser with pre-specified URL and input from a data field, however all functions I've tried don't seem to work for me and at this point I can only think about how to come across this issue.
I've nearly accomplished my goal using

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SalLoadApp('iexplore.exe', 'http://samplewebsite.anything/anything/searchwith.php?code=' || dfInput)

, however this function only seems to work on processes like notepad.exe & cmd.exe. All other browser processes have not been started via this function.

I'd really appreciate any help or idea why that might be,
Thanks, Tom

[Dave Rabelink]

Have a look at ShellExecute.
I would not advice to force a specific Webbrowser to open webpages. A system can have a different default browser.
(and for internet explorer, that one is dead).

Better to open a webpage by starting the default browser on that system which could be anything.

Using ShellExecute you can start any default application which depends on the type of "data" or parameter you pass in.

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ShellExecute(0, "open", server_url,NULL, NULL ,SW_SHOWNORMAL)

There is a TD WIKI sample implementing this and also shows how to manage opening applications which are not defined as default on the system

https://wiki.tdcommunity.net/index.php/ ... extensions

In your case just type the url in the datafield and press the button. It will open the url in the default browser.

If you really must open it in Internet Explorer, my guess why it fails is you need to pass in the full path to the iexplorer application to start it.

[Michael Ehehalt]

Hello Tom,

as Dave writes the better way is to use the ShellExecute function. The problem with your source code is that the programs CMD.EXE and NOTEPAD.EXE are in the system path, but IEXPLORE.EXE is not.

If you modify your source code to specify the full program path of IEXPLORE.EXE it will work:

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Call SalLoadApp( "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Internet Explorer\\iexplore.exe", 'http://samplewebsite.anything/anything/searchwith.php?code=' || dfInput)

[benedikz]

Michael & Dave, thank you both for much appreciated help.

I've admitted that it would not be good practice to hardcode a specific webbrowser into my solution, so instead I just left it blank for the system to decide.
I took a look at ShellExecuteA from shell32.dll and can confirm, that using ShellExecute has solved my issue. However you explained to me as a bonus why my previous attempt did not work.

Thank you and have a great day
Tom

[willkf25]

Use explorer.exe to open a url. The windows will use the default app to open a HTTP protocol...

code like this:

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Call SalLoadApp("explorer.exe","http://www.google.com")

Regarts