Announcement

**Michael Mattias** · 2 Jul 2001, 04:59 AM

pb/cc dde client - using microsoft 'excel' as server

after exchanging e-mails with mr heyworth, we figured this code belongs as a reply here rather than in a separate message.

mcm

update / edit 7/6/01

added the #if 0 ... #endif block at the end to show the code to update an excel spreadsheet.
mcm

Code:

#if 0
' file: ddeclnt2.bas for pb/cc v 2.0
' original author: florent heyworth, zurich switzerland, may, 2001
'  appeared at [url="http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/showthread.php?t=23058"]http://www.powerbasic.com/support/pbforums/showthread.php?t=23058[/url] 
' author, this version: michael mattias, racine wi usa. changed to make this client app do a simple request
'  for text data from a dde server. added autostart of dde server, extensive commenting, changed
'  a few datanames for consistency within the application.
' copyright/redistribution: placed in the public domain by both authors (june, 2001)
' purpose: demonstration of dde client using the ddeml libraries; and how to start the
'  server if it is not running.
' in this case, i used microsoft excel(r) as the dde server.
' requesting items from excel:
'  contents of a single cell:   rncn, where rn = row#, cn = columns number. example: "r2c12" will
'   retrieve the contents of row 2, column 12
'  contents of a range of cells: rncn:rmcm returns a range. within a range, column items within a row '
'   are delimited by tab (ascii x'09'); rows are terminated by crlf.
'  example: "r1c1:r2c3" returns  r1c1<tab>r1c2<tab>r1c3<crlf>r2c1<tab>r2c2<tab>r2c3<crlf>
' requesting other items from excel:
'  i "believe" there are ways to use excel functions such as lookup and sum, etc, but i was unable
'  to figure out the 'item' syntax required. (i'm also not an "excel guy" )(mcm).
'  the excel documentation, both that provided with excel and in the msdn are really weak on the
'  list of supported dde topics and items. i got the "topic" syntax from the mercator(r) manuals.
' what this code does not do, except with brute force:
'  allow for someone to terminate excel with an open conversation.
' self-starting server: tested with excel not running, excel running and target sheet loaded,
'  excel running but no sheets loaded, excel running with another sheet loaded. all work fine.
'  the use of waitforinputidle assumes the server is a gui program (which ms excel is). according to
'  the win32 sdk, it will fail if the "waited for" application is a console program. (not tested).
' excel version used for test: "excel 2000 v 9.0.2720"
' excel is a registered tradmark of microsoft corporation redmond wa usa

#endif

' don't allow pb to assign register variables.
#register none
#debug error on
#include "win32api.inc"     ' <<< see notes below, as there are variations in the pb-supplied win32api.inc

' text messages from getlasterror
declare function systemerrormessagetext (byval ecode as long) as string
function systemerrormessagetext (byval ecode as long) as string
  local buffer as asciiz * 255
  formatmessage %format_message_from_system, byval %null, ecode, %null, buffer, sizeof(buffer), byval %null
  function = format$(ecode, "(#####) ") & buffer
end function

declare function startserver (szfile as asciiz * %max_path) as long
' assumes there is an application associated with the extension of file, e.g., ".xls" for an excel spreadsheet

declare function ddeclientcc () as long
declare function ddeerrortext (byval dmlerr as long) as string

function dde_callbackfunc(byval utype as dword, byval ufmt as long, byval hconv as long, byval hsztopic as long, byval hszitem as long, byval hdata as long, byval dwdata1 as dword, byval dwdata2 as dword) as long
    'for monitoring and server apps
end function
' declare not in my pb/cc win32api.inc file
declare function shellexecuteex lib "shell32.dll" alias "shellexecuteexa" (lpshellinfo as shellexecuteinfo) as long

function winmain (byval hcurinstance  as long, _
                  byval hprevinstance as long, _
                  lpszcmdline         as asciiz ptr, _
                  byval ncmdshow      as long) export as long

   dim thisfile as asciiz * 128
   dim stat as long
   stat = getmodulefilename (hcurinstance, thisfile, sizeof(thisfile) )
   print "hello world from program " & thisfile

   stat = ddeclientcc

   print "any key to exit...."
   j$ = waitkey$

end function

function ddeclientcc () as long
    local i as long
    local lid as long
    local hddeconv as long
    local hddeservice as long
    local hddetopic as long
    local hddeitem as long
    local lresult as long
    local tddeconv as convcontext

    local  szserver as asciiz * 128           ' the executable name of the dde server application
    local  szxls    as asciiz * %max_path     ' the full path of the spreadsheet file
    local  sztopic as asciiz * 128            ' the (string) topic name as expected by the server
    local  szitem  as asciiz * 128            ' the (string) item name for the dde data request
    local  szresponse as asciiz * 4096
    local  ddelasterror as long
    local  hddeinit as long
    local  hinitcode as long
    local  execute_timeout as long
           execute_timeout = 3000&            ' three seconds allowed for a response
           
    dim j as string
    let szserver = "excel"                                                    ' the excel dde server name
    let szxls = "c:\software_development\testdata\excel xls\name_dob.xls"     ' spreadsheet file name
    let sztopic = "[name_dob.xls]sheet1"   ' workbook /sheet . excel does not work with paths in there!

    'since we are client only we decline to receive callbacks
    ' i do not understand this, but mr heyworth included it.
    hinitcode = ddeinitialize  (lid, codeptr(dde_callbackfunc), %appcmd_clientonly, 0 )
    if hinitcode <> %dmlerr_no_error then
        print "failed to initialize dde & ddeerrortext (hinitcode)
        exit function
    end if
    
    '======================================================================
    ' as coded, the server and topic must both be defined to connect
    '======================================================================
   
    'create a dde string handle for the service
    hddeservice = ddecreatestringhandle( lid, szserver, %cp_winansi )
    if hddeservice = 0 then
        ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
        print "cannot create string handle for service "  & szserver & ". " & ddeerrortext (ddelasterror)
        goto clean_up
    end if
    'create string handle for the topic
    hddetopic = ddecreatestringhandle( lid, sztopic, %cp_winansi )
    if hddetopic = 0 then
        ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
        print "cannot create string handle for topic "  & sztopic & ". " & ddeerrortext (ddelasterror)
        goto clean_up
    end if

    'connect (start conversation)
    tddeconv.cb = sizeof(tddeconv)
    tddeconv.icodepage = %cp_winansi
    hddeconv = ddeconnect( lid, hddeservice, hddetopic, tddeconv )
   ' will not connect if server is not running. if excel, does not automatically load the correct
   ' speadsheet (connection fails); returns %dmlerr_no_conv_established (&h400a) under these conditions.
   
   ' =========================================================================
   ' if connection failed, start the server ourself and try again
   ' =========================================================================
   
    if hddeconv = 0 then
        ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
        if ddelasterror= %dmlerr_no_conv_established  then
           ' start it ourself with the shellexecute open
             print "server '" & szserver & "' not found. will attempt to start it by association"
             if isfalse (startserver (szxls)) then  ' the server has been started and
                 ' awaits our next command, so try again..
                  print "server started, attempting dde connection"
                  hddeconv = ddeconnect( lid, hddeservice, hddetopic, tddeconv )
                  if hddeconv = 0 then
                       ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
                       print "cannot ddeconnect after starting server. " & ddeerrortext (ddelasterror)
                  end if
             else
                 print "cound not get server running"
             end if
       end if
    end if
    ' if hddeconv is still zero, we were unable to find the server.
    if hddeconv = 0 then
        ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
        print "cannot ddeconnect. " & ddeerrortext (ddelasterror)
        goto clean_up
    else
        print "established a connection to server " & szserver & " for topic " & sztopic
    end if
    
    ' =====================================================================
    '  enter a prompt/accept loop to test data retrieval
    ' =====================================================================

    local hresult as long, getdataresult  as long

    do
         szresponse = "
         print "server:" & szserver & "   topic:" & sztopic
         line input "enter the item to retrieve: (cr=quit) ", szitem
         ' see above: for excel, "rncn" retrieves single cell, "rncn:rmcm" retrieves a range of cells
         
         if szitem = " then      ' cannot create a dde string handle for null string
            exit do
         end if
         ' create the dde string handle for the item
         hddeitem = ddecreatestringhandle( lid, szitem, %cp_winansi )
         if hddeitem = 0 then
            ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
            print "cannot create string handle for item ==>" & szitem & ". " & ddeerrortext (ddelasterror)
            goto clean_up
         end if
         ' do the dde transaction
         lresult = ddeclienttransaction (0&, 0&,hddeconv,hddeitem,%cf_text, %xtyp_request, execute_timeout, hresult)
         if istrue (lresult) then                        ' the return value is the handle of the return value
            getdataresult = ddegetdata (lresult, byval varptr(szresponse), sizeof(szresponse)-1, 0)
            print "success. data returned===>" & szresponse  & "<=="
         else
            ddelasterror =ddegetlasterror(lid)
            print "ddeclienttransaction failed. " & ddeerrortext(ddelasterror)
         end if
         ' free the string handle (created anew for each request)
         if hddeitem then
            call ddefreestringhandle( lid, hddeitem )
            hddeitem = 0
         end if
    loop

clean_up:
    if hddeconv then
        call ddedisconnect( hddeconv )
    end if

    if hddeitem then
        call ddefreestringhandle( lid, hddeitem )
    end if

    if hddetopic then
        call ddefreestringhandle( lid, hddetopic )
    end if

    if hddeservice then
        call ddefreestringhandle( lid, hddeservice )
    end if

    call ddeuninitialize( lid )

    print "finished with dde client"

end function

function ddeerrortext (byval dmlerr as long) as string

   local w as string
   select case dmlerr

      case %dmlerr_advacktimeout
           w = "adv_ack_timeout"
      case  %dmlerr_busy
           w = "busy"
      case %dmlerr_dataacktimeout
           w = "data_ack_timeout"
      case %dmlerr_dll_not_initialized
           w = "dll_not_intialized"
      case %dmlerr_dll_usage
           w = "dll_usage"
      case %dmlerr_execacktimeout
           w = "exec_ack_timeout"
      case  %dmlerr_invalidparameter
           w= "invalid_parameter"
      case  %dmlerr_low_memory
           w = "low_memory"
      case %dmlerr_memory_error
           w = "memory_error"
      case %dmlerr_notprocessed
           w = "not_processed (not found)"
      case %dmlerr_no_conv_established
           w = "no_conv_established"
      case %dmlerr_pokeacktimeout
           w = "poke_ack_timeout"
      case  %dmlerr_postmsg_failed
           w= "postmsg_failed"
      case %dmlerr_reentrancy
           w = "reentrancy error"
      case %dmlerr_server_died
           w = "server_died"
      case %dmlerr_sys_error
           w = "sys_error"
      case %dmlerr_unadvacktimeout
           w = "unadv_ack_timeout"
      case %dmlerr_unfound_queue_id
           w ="unfound_queue_id"
      case else
           w = "no description avaialable"
   end select

   function = "(x'" & hex$(dmlerr, 4) & "') " & w
end function

'===================================================================
'   start the dde server and await its readiness to accept commands
'   use shellexecuteex to "open" a file and use the association defined
'   on the system
'===================================================================

function startserver (szfile as asciiz * %max_path) as long
   ' returns: 0 = good, server ready; else error...
   ' assumes szfile has an extension with an association; e.g., *.xls ==> excel

   local sei as shellexecuteinfo, stat as long, e as long
   local hwnd as long       ' not used in this app, but required
   local waitresult as long
   local lpverb as asciiz * 20, lpparameters as asciiz * 20, lpdirectory as asciiz * 20, lpfile as asciiz * %max_path
   local timeout2 as long   ' "timeout" is another pb un-hilited "reserved" word which is truly only reserved
                            '  in the context of a tcp or udp verb and can only be found with "search."
                            '  the error message if you use 'timeout' as a variable name is
                            '  "statement expected," which is a useless error message.
   hwnd = 0
   lpverb = "open"
   lpparameters   = "
   lpfile = szfile
   timeout2 = 7000          ' how long to wait for the server to complete its initialization (milliseconds).
   sei.cbsize       = sizeof(sei)
   sei.fmask        = %see_mask_nocloseprocess    ' we want a process handle to work with
                                                  ' and will be responsible for closing it ourself.
   sei.hwnd         = hwnd
   sei.lpverb       = varptr(lpverb)
   sei.lpfile       = varptr(lpfile)
   sei.lpparameters = varptr (lpparameters)
   sei.lpdirectory  = %null
   sei.nshow        = %sw_showminimized      ' ms-excel does not seem to care what you put here
                                               ' sw_hide,sw_show all result in excel as active window.
                                               '%sw_showminnoactive
   sei.hinstapp     = 0             ' updated by function
   sei.lpidlist     = %null         ' here down to hprocess ignored unless appropriate mask included in fmask
   sei.lpclass      = %null
   sei.hkeyclass    = %null
   sei.dwhotkey     = %null
   sei.hicon        = %null         ' hicon appears here in one version of win32api.inc
'    sei.item         = %null       ' item appears in another version of win32api.inc
   sei.hprocess     = 0             ' will be updated by shellexecuteex

   stat = -1                        ' default = failure  (boy, am i a pessimist or what?)

   if istrue shellexecuteex(sei) then       ' function succeeded and returned
       print "shell executeex succeeded, will now wait for server to complete its initialization..."
      ' wait for the server to be ready to accept input
       waitresult = waitforinputidle(sei.hprocess, timeout2)
       select case waitresult
             case 0&            ' wait was satisfied normally; that is, server is now ready
                  stat = 0      ' so our function succeeds
             case %wait_timeout
                  print "server timeout"
             case else            ' -1 means error
                  e = getlasterror
                  print "waitforinputidle error:" & systemerrormessagetext(e)
       end select
      '==================================================================================================
      ' cannot use waitforinput idle with console apps; does that mean the parent or the launched process?
      ' must mean the server applications, because it works from a pb/cc client the server being excel,
      ' which is a gui application.
      ' if the server is a console application you can try this:
      '      sleep timeout2
      '      stat = 0   '     this is optimistic; have not figured out a way to determine if a launched
      '                       'console' application server is, in fact, "ready" to accept dde requests
      '==================================================================================================
      ' regardless, we are done with the launched process's handle, so we should close it...
      ' note that we do not need to have this handle open (see sei.fmask), but the process handle
      ' can be used with other synchronization processes if necessary
        closehandle sei.hprocess
  else                                 ' shell executeex failed
      e = getlasterror
      print "shellexecuteex failed:" & systemerrormessagetext(e)
  end if
  function = stat
end function

#if 0
'  7/6/01 addition: update an excel spreadsheet using dde interface
' tested and works:
' replace single cell contents with text data
' replace single cell with a formula (szpokedata= "=sum(d2 [img]http://www.powerbasic.com/support/forums/biggrin.gif[/img]7)" or szpokedata="(d3*d4)"
' cells part of a formula are immediately updated in excel.
' replace range of cells with new text
' if the new data item is a formula, a retrieve of the cell returns the current result
' of the calculation, not the formula itself.

' code changes to make the update:

'  add this line in the appropriate place..
          local  szpokedata as asciiz * 4096
          
'  replace the do ..loop above with this to the update
  do
         szresponse = "
         print "server:" & szserver & "   topic:" & sztopic
         line input "enter the row:column to update: (cr=quit) ", szitem
         ' format is   "rncm[:rocp]"

         if szitem = " then      ' cannot create a dde string handle for null string
            exit do
         else
             line input "enter the new data string", szpokedata
            ' row data should be tab-delimited, $cr terminated (not $crlf)
             
             if szpokedata = " then     '
     ' for testing, since you can't key in tab or cr
     '            szpokedata = "c1" & $tab & "c2" & $tab & "c3" & $tab & $cr  ' <<< works for one row real good
                 szpokedata = "r1c1" & $tab & "r1c2" & $tab & "r1c3" & $cr _
                  & "r2c1" & $tab & "r2c2" & $tab & "r2c3" & $cr             ' <<< works for 2 row x 3 col range real good
             else
                szpokedata = szpokedata & $cr
             end if
             print "pokedata is==>";szpokedata;"<=="
         end if

         ' create the dde string handle for the item
         hddeitem = ddecreatestringhandle( lid, szitem, %cp_winansi )
         if hddeitem = 0 then
            ddelasterror = ddegetlasterror (lid)
            print "cannot create string handle for item ==>" & szitem & ". " & ddeerrortext (ddelasterror)
            goto clean_up
         end if

         ' do the dde transaction
         ' xtyp_poke:return value is nonzero for successful transactions in which client does not expect data
         lresult = ddeclienttransaction (byval varptr(szpokedata),len(szpokedata),hddeconv,hddeitem,%cf_text, %xtyp_poke, execute_timeout, hresult)
         print "lresult result code = " & str$(lresult)
        ' success is defined as nonzero for transactions not expecting return data
         if istrue (lresult) then
            print "success. check the spreadsheet to see the change."
         else
            ddelasterror =ddegetlasterror(lid)
            print "ddeclienttransaction failed. " & ddeerrortext(ddelasterror)
         end if
         ' free the string handle (created anew for each request)
         if hddeitem then
            call ddefreestringhandle( lid, hddeitem )
            hddeitem = 0
         end if
    loop
  
#endif
  ' end of block to use when doing an update of a spreadsheet.
' *** end of file ***'

------------------
michael mattias
racine wi usa
[email protected]

[this message has been edited by michael mattias (edited july 06, 2001).]

**Torkel M Jodalen** · 29 Sep 2011, 08:45 AM

DDE client example in PBCC6

While this code was bona fide some 10 years ago, in PBCC6 it fails during compilation:

Error 460 in C:\PBCC60\TestCC\DDETest.bas(92:065): Undefined equate
Line 92: hInitCode = DdeInitialize (lId, CODEPTR(Dde_CallbackFunc), %APPCMD_CLIENTONLY, 0 )

I suspect it's the %APPCMD_CLIENTONLY equate which is the trouble. Any suggestions as to how we can successfully compile this example in PBCC6?

(Yes, it's DDE ... but in this case, I simply have no other options).

Thanks,

**Michael Mattias** · 29 Sep 2011, 10:36 AM

Code:

Error 460 in C:\PBCC60\TestCC\DDETest.bas(92:065): Undefined equate

>Any suggestions as to how we can successfully compile this example in PBCC6?

Define the equate?

**Torkel M Jodalen** · 29 Sep 2011, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by Michael Mattias View Post

Code:

Error 460 in C:\PBCC60\TestCC\DDETest.bas(92:065): Undefined equate

>Any suggestions as to how we can successfully compile this example in PBCC6?

Define the equate?

Well, just defining it to anything syntactically acceptable... is that likely to do the trick?

Regards,

**Michael Mattias** · 29 Sep 2011, 07:00 PM

Well, just defining it to anything syntactically acceptable... is that likely to do the trick

No.

Frankly, if you asked that question you should not be cutting and pasting and porting anything. You need to crawl before you walk.

**Torkel M Jodalen** · 30 Sep 2011, 02:07 AM

As in "copy the equates from the above Pegasus mail example"?
Worked like a charm.

**Torkel M Jodalen** · 4 Oct 2011, 02:34 PM

Well, in case someone else should stumble upon this code example for a simple DDE client, keep in mind that the ALIASes from the otherwise excellent examples above need proper capitalization in order to work properly.

Code:

DECLARE FUNCTION ddeabandontransaction LIB "user32.dll" [B]ALIAS "DdeAbandonTransaction"[/B] (BYVAL idinst AS LONG, BYVAL hconv AS LONG, BYVAL idtransaction AS LONG) AS LONG
(...)

**Michael Mattias** · 4 Oct 2011, 03:03 PM

The capitalization was lost when the BBS software changed a couple of years ago. This happened to a couple of my other demos.

I can repost it if I can find it...OR SOMEONE ELSE CAN DO IT JUST POST IT AS A 'REPLY' and everyone will be happy.

**janne sikstrom** · 15 Nov 2016, 03:48 PM

MSQuery and DDE

MSQuery is fantastic at helping to write SQL queries. I struggle with DDE and MSQuery.

Is there anyone who has written DDE call for MSQuery? It seems to be pretty smart.

I try to use MSQuery for creating SQL queries, to control this I use DDE. I can make it listen, but no real control, it makes little as it wants.

Know that it is an old technology with DDE, but have not found any other technology to control the MSQuery (MSQry32.EXE).

Have been looking in the forum and searched online but nothing has helped me so far.

Any guidance

Code:

#compile exe
#INCLUDE "win32api.inc"     

Declare Function zTrace Lib "zTrace.DLL" Alias "zTrace" (zMessage As AsciiZ) As Long
Declare Function zDebug Lib "zTrace.DLL" Alias "zDebug" (zMessage As AsciiZ) As Long
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION WINMAIN (BYVAL hCurInstance  AS LONG, _
                  BYVAL hPrevInstance AS LONG, _
                  BYVAL lpszCmdLine         AS ASCIIZ PTR, _
                  BYVAL nCmdShow      AS LONG) EXPORT AS LONG

    LOCAL i AS LONG
    LOCAL lId AS LONG
    LOCAL hDDEConv AS LONG
    LOCAL hDDEService AS LONG
    LOCAL hDDETopic AS LONG
    LOCAL hDDEItem AS LONG
    LOCAL lResult AS LONG
    LOCAL tDdeConv AS CONVCONTEXT
    local Temp as string
    LOCAL  szServer AS ASCIIZ * %MAX_PATH     ' The executable name of the DDE server application
    LOCAL  szXls    AS ASCIIZ * %MAX_PATH     ' the full path of the spreadsheet file
    LOCAL  szTopic AS ASCIIZ * %MAX_PATH      ' the (string) topic name as expected by the server
    LOCAL  szItem  AS ASCIIZ * %MAX_PATH      ' the (string) item name for the DDE data request
    LOCAL  szResponse AS ASCIIZ * 4096
    LOCAL  sResponse AS string 'ASCIIZ * 4096
    LOCAL  DDELastError AS LONG
    LOCAL  hDDEInit AS LONG
    LOCAL  hInitCode AS LONG
    LOCAL  Execute_Timeout AS LONG
           Execute_TimeOut = 3000&            ' three seconds allowed for a response
    local J AS STRING
    LOCAL hResult AS LONG, GetDataResult  AS LONG
    LOCAL sYN AS STRING
        LOCAL lngDataType AS LONG
      LOCAL strReturn AS STRING
      LOCAL pdwdValue AS DWORD PTR
      LOCAL lngReturn AS LONG
      LOCAL strSection AS STRING

        'LSET szXLS = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSQRY32.EXE"
        '----------------------------Init---------------------------------------------------------
    hInitCode = DdeInitialize  (lId, CODEPTR(Dde_CallbackFunc), %APPCMD_CLIENTONLY , 0 )     
                                IF hInitCode <> %DMLERR_NO_ERROR THEN
                                        ztrace "Failed to initialize DDE & DDEErrorText (hInitCode)
                                        EXIT FUNCTION
                                END IF
    '----------------------------create string handle for the server---------------------------
        hDDEService = DdeCreateStringHandle( lId, "MSQuery", %CP_WINANSI )
                                    IF hDDEService = 0 THEN
                                            DDELastError = DDEGetLastError (lID)
                                            ztrace "Cannot create String Handle for service "  & szServer & ". " & DDEErrorText (DDELastError)
                                            GOTO Clean_Up
                                    END IF
        '----------------------------create string handle for the topic---------------------------
        hDDETopic = DdeCreateStringHandle( lId, "System", %CP_WINANSI )
                                ztrace "Topic " & str$( hDDETopic )
                                IF hDDETopic = 0 THEN
                                        DDELastError = DDEGetLastError (lID)
                                        ztrace "Cannot create String Handle for topic "  & "System" & ". " & DDEErrorText (DDELastError)
                                        GOTO Clean_Up
                                END IF
    '---------------------------- Connect to MSQRY32 ---------------------------
        hDDEConv = DdeConnect( lId, hDDEService, hDDETopic, "" )
                        ztrace "retur hDDEconv " & str$(hDDEConv)
                        IF hDDEConv = 0 THEN
                                DDELastError = DDEGetLastError (lID)
                                ztrace "----Cannot create String Handle for connect "  & "run" & ". " & DDEErrorText (DDELastError)
                                ' Problem not started?
                                lngReturn = RegRead( "HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSQuery\path", strReturn, lngDataType, strSection )
                                IF lngReturn = %ERROR_SUCCESS AND lngDataType = %REG_SZ THEN 
                                    SHELL("rundll32.exe url.dll,FileProtocolHandler " & (strReturn & "\MSQRY32.EXE"))
                                end if 
                                GOTO Clean_Up
                        END IF
    '------------------------------ RUN ----------------------------------------
        'LET szTopic = "[UserControl('&Exit Command',3,True)]"
        ' LET szTopic = "[Open(\""Nr1"")]"
                 LET szTopic = "[UserControl('',1,True)]"
                ' LET szTopic = "[BuildODBC(\""nr1""\)]"
                'LET szTopic = "[ViewPane(3)]"
                hDDEItem = DdeCreateStringHandle( lId, szTopic, %CP_WINANSI )
        ztrace "item " & str$( hDDEItem )
                IF hDDEItem = 0 THEN
                        DDELastError = DDEGetLastError (lID)
                        ztrace "++++Cannot create String Handle for topic "  & szTopic & ". " & DDEErrorText (DDELastError)
                        GOTO Clean_Up
                END IF
              sResponse =  STRING$(4096,$SPC)
                lresult = DDeClientTransaction ( byref szTopic, len(szTopic),hDDEConv,0&,0&, %XTYP_EXECUTE, Execute_timeout, hResult)
                'lresult = DDeClientTransaction (BYVAL 0&, 0&,hDDEConv,hDDEItem,%CF_TEXT, %XTYP_REQUEST, Execute_timeout, hResult)
                ztrace "result " & str$( lresult)
                IF ISTRUE (lresult) THEN                        ' the return value is the handle of the return value
                     GetDataResult = DDEGetData (lResult, BYVAL STRPTR(sResponse), LEN(sResponse)-1, 0)
                     REPLACE $NUL WITH $SPC IN sResponse
                     sResponse      = RTRIM$(sResponse)
                     ztrace USING$ ("Success. Returned # bytes value '&'", LEN(sResponse), sResponse)
          ELSE
                     DDELastError =DDEGetLastError(lID)
                     ztrace "DDEClientTransaction Failed. " & DDEErrorText(DDELastError)
                END IF
    '   ' free the string handle (created anew for each request)
                IF hDDEItem THEN
                     CALL DdeFreeStringHandle( lId, hDDEItem )
                     hDDEItem = 0
                END IF

                ' create the DDE string handle for the item
        LET szItem = "[ViewPane(3)]"
        hDDEItem = DdeCreateStringHandle( lId, szItem, %CP_WINANSI )
                IF hDDEItem = 0 THEN
                     DDELastError = DDEGetLastError (lID)
            ztrace "Cannot Create String Handle for Item ==>" & szItem & ". " & DDEErrorText (DDELastError)
                     GOTO Clean_Up
                END IF

                sResponse =  STRING$(4096,$SPC)
                lresult = DDeClientTransaction (BYVAL 0&, 0&,hDDEConv,hDDEItem,%CF_TEXT, %XTYP_REQUEST, Execute_timeout, hResult)
                IF ISTRUE (lresult) THEN                        ' the return value is the handle of the return value
                     GetDataResult = DDEGetData (lResult, BYVAL STRPTR(sResponse), LEN(sResponse)-1, 0)
                     REPLACE $NUL WITH $SPC IN sResponse
                     sResponse      = RTRIM$(sResponse)
                     ztrace USING$ ("Success. Returned # bytes value '&'", LEN(sResponse), sResponse)
'                              ELSE
                     DDELastError =DDEGetLastError(lID)
                     ztrace "DDEClientTransaction Failed. " & DDEErrorText(DDELastError)
                END IF
'                              ' free the string handle (created anew for each request)
                IF hDDEItem THEN
                     CALL DdeFreeStringHandle( lId, hDDEItem )
                     hDDEItem = 0
                END IF

Clean_Up:
    IF hDDEConv THEN
        CALL DdeDisconnect( hDDEConv )
    END IF

    IF hDDEItem THEN
        CALL DdeFreeStringHandle( lId, hDDEItem )
    END IF

    IF hDDETopic THEN
        CALL DdeFreeStringHandle( lId, hDDETopic )
    END IF

    IF hDDEService THEN
        CALL DdeFreeStringHandle( lId, hDDEService )
    END IF

    CALL DdeUninitialize( lId )

    ? "Finished with DDE Client"

END FUNCTION
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION SystemErrorMessageText (BYVAL ECode AS LONG) AS STRING
  LOCAL Buffer AS ASCIIZ * 255
  FormatMessage %FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM, BYVAL %NULL, ECode, %NULL, buffer, SIZEOF(buffer), BYVAL %NULL
  FUNCTION = FORMAT$(ECode, "(#####) ") & Buffer
END FUNCTION
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION Dde_CallbackFunc(BYVAL uType AS DWORD, BYVAL uFmt AS LONG, BYVAL hConv AS LONG, _
                                                  BYVAL hszTopic AS LONG, BYVAL hszItem AS LONG, BYVAL hData AS LONG, _
                                                  BYVAL dwData1 AS DWORD, BYVAL dwData2 AS DWORD) AS LONG

     ztrace str$(uType)
        'for monitoring and server apps
    ' is the transaction complete
        select case uType 
            case %XTYPF_ACKREQ

            case %XTYP_ADVDATA

            case %XTYP_XACT_COMPLETE   


    end select

END FUNCTION
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION DDEErrorText (BYVAL DMLERR AS LONG) AS STRING

   LOCAL W AS STRING
   SELECT CASE DMLERR

      CASE %DMLERR_ADVACKTIMEOUT
           W = "ADV_ACK_TIMEOUT"
      CASE  %DMLERR_BUSY
           W = "BUSY"
      CASE %DMLERR_DATAACKTIMEOUT
           W = "DATA_ACK_TIMEOUT"
      CASE %DMLERR_DLL_NOT_INITIALIZED
           W = "DLL_NOT_INTIALIZED"
      CASE %DMLERR_DLL_USAGE
           W = "DLL_USAGE"
      CASE %DMLERR_EXECACKTIMEOUT
           W = "EXEC_ACK_TIMEOUT"
      CASE  %DMLERR_INVALIDPARAMETER
           W= "INVALID_PARAMETER"
      CASE  %DMLERR_LOW_MEMORY
           W = "LOW_MEMORY"
      CASE %DMLERR_MEMORY_ERROR
           W = "MEMORY_ERROR"
      CASE %DMLERR_NOTPROCESSED
           W = "NOT_PROCESSED (not found)"
      CASE %DMLERR_NO_CONV_ESTABLISHED
           W = "NO_CONV_ESTABLISHED"
      CASE %DMLERR_POKEACKTIMEOUT
           W = "POKE_ACK_TIMEOUT"
      CASE  %DMLERR_POSTMSG_FAILED
           W= "POSTMSG_FAILED"
      CASE %DMLERR_REENTRANCY
           W = "REENTRANCY ERROR"
      CASE %DMLERR_SERVER_DIED
           W = "SERVER_DIED"
      CASE %DMLERR_SYS_ERROR
           W = "SYS_ERROR"
      CASE %DMLERR_UNADVACKTIMEOUT
           W = "UNADV_ACK_TIMEOUT"
      CASE %DMLERR_UNFOUND_QUEUE_ID
           W ="UNFOUND_QUEUE_ID"
      CASE ELSE
           W = "NO DESCRIPTION AVAIALABLE"
   END SELECT

   FUNCTION = "(x'" & HEX$(DMLERR, 4) & "') " & W
END FUNCTION
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNCTION RegRead( BYVAL strSource AS STRING, strRegistryBuffer AS STRING, lngType AS LONG, OPT strSection AS STRING ) EXPORT AS LONG
 '=======================================================================================================|
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' RegRead.inc - Generic registry read function.                                                         |
 ' Allows you to read any registry data type from a local (or remote) machine in a single function       |
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' George W. Bleck                                                                                       |
 ' 2010-01-26 v1 (Original version)                                                                      |
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' INPUT:                                                                                                |
 '   [Required] strSource = {\\ComputerName\}Hive\SubKey\{ValueName}                                     |
 '                                                                                                       |
 '   ComputerName is optional but if supplied you must include the prefacing "\\"                        |
 '   Hive (required) can be the short "HKLM" or long "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" version                        |
 '   SubKey is required, if you want the SubKey default value end with a "\" and leave off the ValueName |
 '                                                                                                       |
 '   Remote connection ex.: "\\PCNAME\HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon"        |
 '   Local connection ex.:  "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon"   |
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
 '                                                                                                       |
 ' OUTPUT:                                                                                               |
 '   [Required] strRegistryBuffer = returns a buffer which contains the data                             |
 '   [Required] lngType = returns the data type contained in the buffer                                  |
 '   [OPTIONAL] strSection = Returns the section of code or registry call related to the function return |
 '                                                                                                       |
 '   FUNCTION RETURN = ERROR_SUCCESS or an Windows Error code (use FORMATMESSAGE, see also strSection)   |
 '                                                                                                       |
 '=======================================================================================================|
 LOCAL dwdHive AS DWORD
 LOCAL hRegistryKey AS DWORD
 LOCAL hRegistryRoot AS DWORD
 LOCAL lngBufferLen AS LONG
 LOCAL lngIndex AS LONG
 LOCAL lngResult AS LONG
 LOCAL strComputerName AS STRING
 LOCAL strHiveAndSubKey AS STRING
 LOCAL strSubKey AS STRING
 LOCAL strValueName AS STRING
 LOCAL lngOptionalPresent AS LONG
 IF ISMISSING( strSection ) THEN lngOptionalPresent = %FALSE ELSE lngOptionalPresent = %TRUE
 ' GETCOMPUTERNAME: If a ComputerName is specified break it apart from HiveAndSubKey
 IF LEFT$( strSource, 2 ) = "\\" THEN
  lngIndex = INSTR( 3, strSource, "\" )
  IF lngIndex = 3 OR lngIndex = LEN( strSource ) THEN
   IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "GETCOMPUTERNAME"
   FUNCTION = %ERROR_BADKEY
   EXIT FUNCTION
  END IF
  strComputerName = LEFT$( strSource, lngIndex - 1 )
  strHiveAndSubKey = MID$( strSource, lngIndex + 1 )
 ELSE
  strHiveAndSubKey = strSource
 END IF
 ' DETERMINEHIVE: Break apart the Hive and SubKey
 lngIndex = INSTR( strHiveAndSubKey, "\" )
 IF ( lngIndex < 2 ) OR ( lngIndex = LEN( strHiveAndSubKey )) THEN
  FUNCTION = %ERROR_BADKEY
  EXIT FUNCTION
 ELSE
  SELECT CASE UCASE$( LEFT$( strHiveAndSubKey, lngIndex - 1 ))
   CASE "HKLM", "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
    dwdHive = %HKLM
   CASE "HKCU", "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"
    dwdHive = %HKCU
   CASE "HKU", "HKEY_USERS"
    dwdHive = %HKU
   CASE "HKCR", "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT"
    dwdHive = %HKCR
   CASE "HKPD", "HKEY_PERFORMANCE_DATA"
    dwdHive = %HKPD
   CASE "HKCC", "HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG"
    dwdHive = %HKCC
   CASE "HKDD", "HKEY_DYN_DATA"
    dwdHive = %HKDD
   CASE ELSE
    IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "DETERMINEHIVE"
    FUNCTION = %ERROR_BADKEY
    EXIT FUNCTION
  END SELECT
 END IF
 ' CHECKVALIDREMOTEHIVE: If this is a remote connection check to see if the hive specified is valid
 IF ( strComputerName <> "" ) AND ( dwdHive <> %HKLM OR dwdHive <> %HKU ) THEN
  IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "CHECKVALIDREMOTEHIVE"
  FUNCTION = %ERROR_BADKEY
  EXIT FUNCTION
 END IF
 ' GETVALUENAME: Break out the value name, also allow for the {Default} entry
 strSubKey = MID$( strHiveAndSubKey, lngIndex + 1 )
 lngIndex = INSTR( - 1, strSubKey, "\" )
 SELECT CASE AS LONG lngIndex
  CASE < 2
   ' No subkey was specified
   IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "GETVALUENAME"
   FUNCTION = %ERROR_BADKEY
   EXIT FUNCTION
  CASE LEN( strSubKey )
   ' No Value was specied, must want the Default Entry
   strValueName = ""
  CASE ELSE
   ' We have a value name
   strValueName = MID$( strSubKey, lngIndex + 1 )
   strSubKey = LEFT$( strSubKey, lngIndex - 1 )
 END SELECT
 ' REGONNECTREGISTRY: If a computer name was specific try to open a connection
 IF strComputerName = "" THEN
  hRegistryRoot = dwdHive
 ELSE
  lngResult = REGCONNECTREGISTRY( BYVAL STRPTR( strComputerName ), dwdHive, hRegistryRoot )
  IF lngResult <> %ERROR_SUCCESS THEN
   IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "REGCONNECTREGISTRY"
   FUNCTION = lngResult
   EXIT FUNCTION
  END IF
 END IF
 ' REGOPENKEYEX: Open the SubKey
 lngResult = REGOPENKEYEX( hRegistryRoot, BYVAL STRPTR( strSubKey ), BYVAL &0, %KEY_READ, hRegistryKey )
 IF lngResult <> %ERROR_SUCCESS THEN
  IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "REGOPENKEYEX"
  FUNCTION = lngResult
 ELSE
  ' REGQUERYVALUEEX: Get a specific value
  lngResult = REGQUERYVALUEEX( hRegistryKey, BYVAL STRPTR( strValueName ), BYVAL &0, lngType, BYVAL &0, lngBufferLen )
  IF lngResult = %ERROR_SUCCESS THEN
   strRegistryBuffer = SPACE$( lngBufferLen )
   FUNCTION = REGQUERYVALUEEX( hRegistryKey, BYVAL STRPTR( strValueName ), BYVAL &0, lngType, BYVAL STRPTR( strRegistryBuffer ), lngBufferLen )
  ELSE
   IF lngOptionalPresent THEN strSection = "REGQUERYVALUEEX"
   FUNCTION = lngResult
  END IF
  REGCLOSEKEY hRegistryKey
 END IF
 REGCLOSEKEY hRegistryRoot
END FUNCTION

**Michael Mattias** · 15 Nov 2016, 04:41 PM

I can't find where MSQuery provides a documented DDE interface. I found some references on some user-supported sites (Q&A places) but nothing from the publisher.

Undeterred, I tried to compile this. It would not compile with PB/Win 10x, so I tried 9x and it compiled first time (using Windows headers as provided by PB in both cases)

Then I had a runtime failure because I have no "ZTRaCE.DLL" so I substituted STDOUT.

Then I discovered nothing is going to work because I do not have MSQuery installed. MSQuery has to be running to succesfully execute the DDEConnect.

My STDOUT...

Code:

Open Console                         <<< MCM Line
DDEinitialize suceeded           <<<  MCM line
Topic  49153
retur hDDEconv  0
----Cannot create String Handle for connect run. (x'400A') NO_CONV_ESTABLISHED

What are you trying to do? Best guess, you are trying to develop some kind of programmatic interface to MSQUERY from one of your programs so your users can use MSQuery to help them create SQL statements which your program can then use. Is that a good guess?

MSQUERY defined from Wikipedia:

Microsoft Query is a visual method of creating database queries using examples based on a text string, the name of a document or a list of documents. The QBE system converts the user input into a formal database query using Structured Query Language (SQL) on the backend, allowing the user to perform powerful searches without having to explicitly compose them in SQL, and without even needing to know SQL. It is derived from Moshé M. Zloof's original Query by Example (QBE) implemented in the mid-1970s at IBM's Research Centre in Yorktown, New York.[1]

I would think MSQuery, properly installed, could be started using START, as in...

Code:

scmd = "start  MSQUERY"
iPID =  SHELL (sCmd)
hProc = OpenProcess (iPID, options)
WaitForInputIdle  hProc , %INFINITE    ' wait for it to initialize
CloseHandle hProc  ' done with handle

... instead of rummaging around in the registry.

My start of code.. (win/9)

Code:

#COMPILE EXE
#INCLUDE "win32api.inc"

#INCLUDE "STDOUT_PBWIN.INC"  ' to replace ztrace

'DECLARE FUNCTION zTrace LIB "zTrace.DLL" ALIAS "zTrace" (zMessage AS ASCIIZ) AS LONG
FUNCTION ZTRace (zMessage AS STRING) AS LONG
     STDOUT zMessage
END FUNCTION
FUNCTION zDebug (zMessage AS STRING ) AS LONG
    STDOUT zMessage
END FUNCTION
'DECLARE FUNCTION zDebug LIB "zTrace.DLL" ALIAS "zDebug" (zMessage AS ASCIIZ) AS LONG
..

STDOUT_PBWIN.INC is available here ==> Simple STDOUT for PB/DLL and PB/Win 2-13-04

Sorry, can't go any further on this. Maybe someone with MSQuery installed and PB/Win 9x available to them can help

MCM

**janne sikstrom** · 16 Nov 2016, 01:25 AM

Many thanks Michael, you are always so helpful. As I know, MSQuery always comes free with Office programs and widely used in conjunction with Excel. (If not, you can download for free, a great program). In MSQuery help -> they encourage you to use the DDE It also mentions that you should look in the registry where the program is. Guess that would be easy to do in VB there are lots of examples. An article I tried to assume and translate some code from:

http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/data/mfc...ur-queries.htm

cant find any topics in the forum regarding MSQuery, may not be used so extensively?

**Michael Mattias** · 16 Nov 2016, 10:16 AM

>cant find any topics in the forum regarding MSQuery, may not be used so extensively

I'm not surprised. DDE is not exactly a "hot topic" here and attempting a programmatic interface to MSQUERY by any means is, as far as I can recall, a virgin topic here.

That's a nice piece at the codeguru link; but I see it refers to reader to the MSQUERY help for information regarding how query information may be retrieved using DDE.

You never answered my question re what exactly you are trying to accomplish. Maybe there is "another way" although if I made a good guess that you want the SQL statements themselves in some environment where all users are guaranteed to have MSQUERY installed, I have to wonder why you'd need the SQL statements rather than the results of the query. Seems to me it makes no difference if the query is executed by MSQUERY or by your program, as long as the result set is available to your program.

It also mentions that you should look in the registry where the program is

I still don't believe that. Worst case I think I'd set up an Application Path (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...=vs.85%29.aspx) for the token "MSQUERY" and a corresponding shortcut using the START syntax.

MCM

**janne sikstrom** · 18 Nov 2016, 01:59 AM

OK, seems like DDE is obsolete and death. Do try to find another method.

My colleagues can not write SQL queries, but by graphical "drag" from different tables it works just fine.

Often the connection strings or using the DSN that they do not have a clue, because I want to "embed" into everything and make it easy
Have you then done a good question shall be saved for later use. All create their own questions.
Access has a copy of the Msqery works in his wizard. Since Msquery is free and comes with the office Packets low, it is tempting to use this.

It is precisely the graphical select tables, relationships, and the choice I want. Is there any alternative?

**Michael Mattias** · 18 Nov 2016, 10:44 AM

If a third party product will do., there's something called BI QUERY and another called Hummingbird which my clients use. And unless I'm mistaken, Microsoft Access allows you to create a visual representation of a DB and form and execute queries using drag and drop.

I suppose you could create the graphical representation of your DB yourself using catalog functions, except that assumes all the info you'd want/need is contained in the catalog. For example, you could only determine that the "part number" in the "sales order line" is in fact an index reference from the sales order line to the parts table if the part number column of the sales order line table specifies a constraint such as a foreign key. In my experience these kind of constraints are NOT in the catalog, they are just "assumed to be true" .. in this case you end up assuming that any part number in the sales order line table is in fact a valid part number in the parts table.

Note that products like BI QUERY and Hummingbird are ALSO ignorant of "database integrity rules which are not reflected in the catalog," too.

I'm actually the wrong guy to talk about forming DB queries using pictures. The times I've had to use MS-Access to do that, first thing I did was find the "SQL View" and just wrote my queries using SQL.

But in the PPPS, I created a "query the database" function, with all kinds of options. Let me see if I can get a picture of that screen... here it is, on the product web page.

http://www.providerpaymentpartner.com/features.html

The last picture toward the bottom of that page shows the options I gave the user. Hmm, that's an older picture... no it isn't, the date filter is on a different screen. But it would be easy to add a couple of date controls to allow the user to specify a range of dates.

When the user clicks execute, I read the screen, build and execute an SQL statement and display the results. Maybe you could do something like that in your application.

MCM

**janne sikstrom** · 3 Feb 2017, 12:45 PM

Is still trying to get information through MSQRY32. I can read out information from the field to the SQL text.
Can I download during a dialogue with xx = Shell (prgm.exe) and get access to the program's PID and hWnd and then read the messages?
Or how do I know when someone closes the dialog or press the "OK" button, Can I achieve this via some type of subclass or some kind of hook?
Have tried some hook, it must be through the DLL or? Can I reach any message or all?

Grateful for clues

Code:

#COMPILE EXE
#DIM ALL
#INCLUDE "Win32Api.inc"

GLOBAL glresult, ghwnd AS LONG
'=============================================================================================
 FUNCTION PBMAIN() AS LONG
      DIM hDlg AS DWORD, hCtl AS DWORD
      LOCAL Result AS LONG
      DIALOG NEW 0, "Control SQL",200,300,150,120, %WS_SYSMENU,0 TO hDlg
      CONTROL ADD BUTTON, hDlg, 1, "Start MSQRY and getPID", 25, 15, 90, 20
      CONTROL ADD BUTTON, hDlg, 2, "Put button on SQL dialog", 25, 35, 90, 20
      CONTROL ADD BUTTON, hDlg, 3, "Get SQL text fron dialog", 25, 55, 90, 20
      CONTROL ADD BUTTON, hDlg, 4, "Exit", 25, 75, 90, 20
      'aixa hdlg
      DIALOG SHOW MODAL hDlg CALL dDlgProc TO Result
   END FUNCTION
'=============================================================================================
CALLBACK FUNCTION dDlgProc() AS LONG
      IF CB.MSG = %WM_COMMAND AND CB.CTL = 1 AND  CB.CTLMSG = %BN_CLICKED THEN StartPID CBHNDL
      IF CB.MSG = %WM_COMMAND AND CB.CTL = 2 AND  CB.CTLMSG = %BN_CLICKED THEN SQLButton CBHNDL
      IF CB.MSG = %WM_COMMAND AND CB.CTL = 3 AND  CB.CTLMSG = %BN_CLICKED THEN GetSQLText CBHNDL
      IF CB.MSG = %WM_COMMAND AND CB.CTL = 4 AND  CB.CTLMSG = %BN_CLICKED THEN DIALOG END CBHNDL
END FUNCTION

'=============================================================================================
FUNCTION SQLButton(hdlg AS DWORD) AS LONG
    LOCAL hWnd,hwndMain AS DWORD

    hWnd = FindWindow("", "SQL")
    hWnd = CreateWindowEx(0,"button","GET SQL",%WS_CHILD OR %WS_VISIBLE,355,125,80,25,hWnd,100,hdlg,BYVAL 0)
END FUNCTION
'=============================================================================================
FUNCTION GetSQLText(hdlg AS DWORD) AS LONG
    LOCAL hWnd,hwndMain AS DWORD
    LOCAL nLen   AS LONG
    LOCAL wbuffer AS WSTRING
    'Find Edit class (only one) in SQL dialog
    hWnd =   FindWindow("", "SQL")
    hWnd =   FindWindowEx(hWnd, 0, "Edit", "")
    ' Show content of EDIT
    nLen = SendMessageW(HWnd, %WM_GETTEXTLENGTH, 0, 0)
    wbuffer = SPACE$(nLen + 1)
    nLen = SendMessageW(HWnd, %WM_GETTEXT, nLen + 1, BYVAL STRPTR(wbuffer))
   ?  LEFT$(wbuffer, nLen)
END FUNCTION
'=============================================================================================
FUNCTION StartPID (hdlg AS DWORD) AS LONG
    LOCAL pid, hprocess,glresult,gerror AS LONG
    LOCAL s, smsg AS STRING
    DIM geterrstring(gerror) AS STRING

    ' START MSQUERY
    ' shell to application, get the pid
    pid = SHELL("C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSQRY32.EXE")
    ' get the process handle
    hProcess = OpenProcess( %PROCESS_ALL_ACCESS, %FALSE, pid )
    IF hProcess = 0 THEN
        ?("OpenProcess failed")
        EXIT FUNCTION
    END IF
    ' wait for app to initialise
    glresult = WaitForInputIdle (hProcess, 1000)

    closehandle hprocess
    ' use the pid to enumerate windows
    EnumWindows (CODEPTR(EnumCB), pid)
    ? STR$(ghwnd)
   ' Can I use pid and own it as childprocess
END FUNCTION
'=============================================================================================
FUNCTION enumcb( BYVAL hWnd AS DWORD, BYVAL lParam AS DWORD) AS LONG
    LOCAL ProcessId AS DWORD

    GetWindowThreadProcessId (hWnd, ProcessId)
    IF ProcessId = lParam THEN
        ghwnd = hwnd
        EXIT FUNCTION
    END IF
    FUNCTION = %TRUE
END FUNCTION

**Michael Mattias** · 3 Feb 2017, 02:45 PM

Oh, foo. I wrote a great reply to this but that appears to have been a casualty of the software change. Maybe I can remember it and do it again.

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