How to make TProcess to open any files?
lazarus / 13-General

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Satya · 2008-01-29 01:08

Hi,
How do you make the TProcess opening any file in Windows by
automatically using it's associated file? Just like we do with the
ShellExecute call:

ShellExecute(handle, 'open', SelectedFile, nil, nil, SW_SHOWNORMAL);

The TProcess appears to be working like this only for the executable
files.
In case of non-executable files, I have to explicitly supply the
associated executable for that file type.

Something like
AProcess.CommandLine := 'C:\Program Files\Windows
NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe "' + ReadmeFile + '"';
assuming the readme file in this example is a readme.rtf file.
But I want this happening automatically, without I supplying the
wordpad.exe file.
For example, ShellExecute would open this by using Word or WordPad
based on what's associated to .rtf file in end users system.

If there is no direct solution, I'll probably find the associated file
programmatically and supply it everytime or better stick with the
ShellAPI for Windows.

Thanks,
Satya

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Bart · 2008-01-29 16:47

Us yje old way if you develop for Win only.
TProcess is platform independent, and running files by extension is
not.

Bart

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hy · 2008-02-27 10:39

I think you cann not do it with TProcess but there is another
solution:
[untested - yet]
In Delphi I've looked up the Registry

Reg.OpenKeyReadonly('Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explore
r\FileExts\' + '.' + ext + '\OpenWithProgids')


Another possibility is to run
cmd.exe [with parameter filename] e.g.
Code: [Select]
cmd.exe myImage.jpg


which should load the associated program.