Wait until certain external process has stopped (1 Viewer)

[eatraas]

Hi,

I'm running an external program from access and I want to wait until this is done to go further with the next code line.

I've tried a number of this like

Dim wsh As Object
Set wsh = VBA.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Dim waitOnReturn As Boolean: waitOnReturn = True
Dim windowStyle As Integer: windowStyle = 1

wsh.Run "C:\folder\mf.exe", windowStyle, waitOnReturn


This is rather old and does not work, perhaps a reference problem.

Does anyone have an idea?

Thanks in advance

Erwin

 

[theDBguy]

Hi Erwin. Have you tried ShellWait?

ShellWait() Function - Microsoft Access / VBA

ShellWait() Function. Microsoft Access / VBA Insights on Bytes.

bytes.com

 

[eatraas]

Yes i did, native access does not support this, which reference is needed for this? Sorry this was another one.
I see the code is using some 32 bits references, i need it to work on both 32 and 64 bits office installations.

 

[Gasman]

What does mf.exe do?
Could you check to see it is running?

 

[eatraas]

MF is an own utility which combines a number of files into one pdf, yes at that moment it is running.
Could be anything of course, like notepad.exe.

 

[Gasman]

No, I meant check to see if it running in system processes, with code?

 

[theDBguy]

I see the code is using some 32 bits references, i need it to work on both 32 and 64 bits office installations.

Try this one.

VBA ShellWait API 32 and 64 bit compatibility - Microsoft Q&A

I have the following [code] that I tried to make compatible for 32 and 64 bit (Access 2010+). Option Compare Database Option Explicit ' https://stackoverflow.com/questions/64435163/vba-shellwait-api-32-and-64-bit-compatibility/64435711#64435711 'This…

docs.microsoft.com

 

[WayneRyan]

Erwin
We just migrated to 64-bit 2019 and replaced our API calls with wscript.shell and it works great.

Much better.
What does not work mean?

Wayne

 

[eatraas]

No, I meant check to see if it running in system processes, with code?

this :

Function IsProcessRunning(process As String)
Dim objList As Object

Set objList = GetObject("winmgmts:") _
    .ExecQuery("select * from win32_process where name='" & process & "'")

If objList.Count > 0 Then
    IsProcessRunning = True
Else
    IsProcessRunning = False
End If

End Function

 

[Gasman]

Yes, something like that.

 

[eatraas]

Yes, something like that.

but that code does not wait until the process is done, just kills an existing process. I want to wait.

 

[theDBguy]

but that code does not wait until the process is done, just kills an existing process. I want to wait.

Just curious... Did you see my last post? Have you tried it?

 

[Gasman]

I do not see that killing any process?
I was thinking along the lines of pausing any way you like until that function is false?, then you can continue with the rest of your code?

 

[WayneRyan]

Erwin
Stay with wscript.shell.
Fix your reference... or whatever.
Its the least complex solution.

Wayne (can't type on iphone)

 

[eatraas]

Erwin
Stay with wscript.shell.
Fix your reference... or whatever.
Its the least complex solution.

Wayne (can't type on iphone)

Yes, i tried it but is not working, if you read the article it is also not working for this person, i'm geeting the same error

 

[theDBguy]

Yes, i tried it but is not working, if you read the article it is also not working for this person, i'm geeting the same error

Sorry, but I feel like you're ignoring me. If you don't want my help, I'm okay with that. Good luck!

 

[eatraas]

is solved in an other way, the sheel program was making a new files and this was taking some time:
I solved it by creating a loop which checks if the file is existing, and exits the loop when the file exists , like

draait = False
Dim FilePath As String
FilePath = "c:\tmp\somefile.pdf"
Set FSO = CreateObject("scripting.filesystemobject")

Do Until draait = True
 If FSO.FileExists(FilePath) = True Then
   draait = True
 End If
 
Loop

 

[theDBguy]

is solved in an other way, the sheel program was making a new files and this was taking some time:
I solved it by creating a loop which checks if the file is existing, and exits the loop when the file exists , like

draait = False
Dim FilePath As String
FilePath = "c:\tmp\somefile.pdf"
Set FSO = CreateObject("scripting.filesystemobject")

Do Until draait = True
If FSO.FileExists(FilePath) = True Then
   draait = True
End If

Loop

Hi. Glad to hear you got it sorted out. Good luck with your project.

 

[WayneRyan]

Erwin,
I still don't know why your original wasn't working.
Thats the best method.

Your current workaround is based on --> if the file exists; its done.

That isn't always the case.

At least have the shelled process make a new file AFTER the real file completes.en

You can --> echo >> im_done.txt

Then you know the original is really do e.

Either way it'd be better to get the wait working.

Wayne