Saving & retrieving text files through shell

[ajwojeck]

I've used Autolisp to save data in a text file that was processed by a DOS based executable which output processed info into another text file. This worked well in R14 but now I'm using Acad 2007 and these files may end up ina document folder or elsewhere.

 

I've tried specifying where the should go or be found but this doesn't always work as expected.

 

This might work better in VBA or some using some vl-function (neither of which I've used yet). Any ideas?

[alanjt]

This should help...

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showpost.php?p=271366&postcount=11

 

eg.

(AT:WriteToFile "C:\\test.txt" '("line 1" "line 2" "line 3") t)

[ajwojeck]

I have no trouble wrighting to a text file. The program then calls a DOS hell to run the executable which outputs another text(result) file. Depending on how AutoCAD was started or how a file was open the program looks in the wrong place e.g. My Documents

 

I have even used the findfile function without much success.

[ajwojeck]

That's DOS shell

[alanjt]

Hmm, I'm a little lost. Without more information, I'm not sure how much I can help.

 

If all the DOS shell does is create a secondary file to run, you could easily do this with some LISP.

[alanjt]

That's DOS shell

I think you had it right the first time. :wink:

 

Just kidding, I loved DOS when I was a kid.

[ajwojeck]

The first text file is used as such:

Dosfile.exe

 

Firstfile.txt contains desired location and name for new file

e.g. C:\MyResults\Secondfile.txt

 

When the lisp program looks for the file it's not there.

My current thoughts: it's been put elsewhere or ACAD can't find Dosfile.exe

 

There must be an easier way

[alanjt]

Post the code and we can dissect it.

[The Buzzard]

I've used Autolisp to save data in a text file that was processed by a DOS based executable which output processed info into another text file. This worked well in R14 but now I'm using Acad 2007 and these files may end up ina document folder or elsewhere.

 

I've tried specifying where the should go or be found but this doesn't always work as expected.

 

This might work better in VBA or some using some vl-function (neither of which I've used yet). Any ideas?

You can type SHELL at the command line to get a dos prompt.

[ajwojeck]

Thanks guys, in the end I put in the full path to the dot EXE file even though it is supposed to be in the ACAD search path. This seems to work.

 

A lot of this problem stems from the way Microsoft requires developers to place files for their applications. It was a lot easier prior to the 2005 release.

 

To all who replied, I appreciated your feedbacks.

AJ