Starts another program.

Syntax

Shell ( program [ , windowStyle ] )

Elements

program

A string expression whose value is the name of the program to run, including arguments. program can be the name of an executable file that uses a file name extension of BAT, COM, PIF, or EXE. You can omit the file name extension, and you can optionally include a complete path specification.

Using an internal DOS command name generates an error.

Optional. A number designating a valid window style, as specified in the following table.

Style	Description	Constant
1, 5, or 9	Normal with focus	SHELL_NORMAL_FOCUS
2	Minimized with focus (default)	SHELL_MIN_FOCUS
3	Maximized with focus	SHELL_MAX_FOCUS
4 or 8	Normal without focus	SHELL_NORMAL_NO_FOCUS
6 or 7	Minimized without focus	SHELL_MIN_NO_FOCUS

Return value

If LotusScript successfully starts program, Shell returns the number 33.

Note To get the program's task ID, use the Shellid function instead.

If LotusScript cannot start program, Shell returns an error.

Usage

Shell must be called from within an expression or an assignment statement, so that its return value is used.

In a UNIX or AIX environment, LotusScript will resume execution of the script only after the program has completed.

In other environments, after Shell starts a program, LotusScript continues to execute the script without waiting to make sure the program has completed. You cannot be sure that a program started by Shell has finished running before the rest of your script is executed.

Language cross-reference

@LaunchApp function in formula language

AttachmentLaunch @command in formula language

Execute @command in formula language

Example
See Also

LotusScript Language Reference: Q through T
Shellid function
ActivateApp statement
Evaluate function and statement
%Include directive
SendKeys statement
OS/2 platform differences in LotusScript
Macintosh platform differences in LotusScript
UNIX platform differences in LotusScript
OS/400 platform differences in LotusScript

Glossary