# Command: ExecFile

ExecFile (filename$) Definition:

Runs an external executable program from within a Blitz program.

Parameter Description:

filename$ = any valid variable or path/filename to the executable program

Command Description:

Use this command to halt execution of your program and run an external program.
The usefulness of this command is really mostly for calling some system level command, launching a browser, etc. Without the ability to playback a movie (for cutscenes, etc) I would think the most useful part of this is command would be calling a self-contained .exe movie (a la BLINK) to play as an intro, then when its completed, return to your program for continued execution.
Note: This command uses ShellExecute to allow you to 'open' any file (like a .doc or .txt) file with its default associated program.

Example:

; ExecFile sample - RUN THIS WINDOWED! ; Win9x users will need to change location of calc.exe filename$="c:\winnt\system32\calc.exe" Print "Press any key to run CALC.EXE!" WaitKey() ExecFile(filename$) Print "Press any key to quit." WaitKey()

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