Shell Function

Syntax Shell(Name$[, WindowType])

Group Miscellaneous

Description Execute program Name$. This is the same as using File|Run from the Program Manager. This instruction can run .COM, .EXE, .BAT and .PIF files. If successful, return the task ID.

Pocket PC The WindowType parameter is ignored.

Parameter Description

Name$ This string value is the path and name of the program to run. Command line arguments follow the program name. (A long file name containing a space must be surrounded by literal double quotes.)

WindowType This controls how the application's main window is shown. See the table below.

WindowType Value Effect

vbHide 0 Hide Window

vbNormalFocus 1, 5, 9 Normal Window

vbMinimizedFocus

2 Minimized Window (default)

vbMaximizedFocus

3 Maximized Window

vbNormalNoFocus

4, 8 Normal Deactivated Window

vbMinimizedNoFocus

6, 7 Minimized Deactivated Window

See Also AppActivate, SendKeys.

Example            '#Language "WWB-COM"
Sub Main
    X = Shell("Calc") ' run the calc program
    AppActivate X
    SendKeys "% R" ' restore calc's main window
    SendKeys "30*2{+}10=",1 '70
EndSub