ShellExecute.md

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Function name : ShellExecute

Group: Shell Functions - Library: shell32

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Performs an operation on a specified file.

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Declaration:

HINSTANCE ShellExecute(
    HWND hwnd,
    LPCTSTR lpOperation,
    LPCTSTR lpFile,
    LPCTSTR lpParameters,
    LPCTSTR lpDirectory,
    INT nShowCmd
);
  

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FoxPro declaration:

DECLARE INTEGER ShellExecute IN shell32;
	INTEGER hwnd,;
	STRING  lpOperation,;
	STRING  lpFile,;
	STRING  lpParameters,;
	STRING  lpDirectory,;
	INTEGER nShowCmd  

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Parameters:

hwnd Handle to a parent window. This window receives any message boxes that an application produces, such as error reporting.

lpVerb A string, referred to as a verb, that specifies the action to be performed: edit, explore, find, open, print

lpFile Address of a null-terminated string that specifies the file or object on which to execute the specified verb.

lpParameters If the lpFile parameter specifies an executable file, lpParameters is an address to a null-terminated string that specifies the parameters to be passed to the application.

lpDirectory Address of a null-terminated string that specifies the default directory.

nShowCmd Flags that specify how an application is to be displayed when it is opened.

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Return value:

Returns a value greater than 32 if successful, or an error value that is less than or equal to 32 otherwise. . The return value is cast as an HINSTANCE for backward compatibility with 16-bit Microsoft® Windows® applications. It is not a true HINSTANCE, however.

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Comments:

The following verbs are commonly used: edit, explore, find, open, print and properties.

See also: ShellExecuteEx, CreateProcess, AssocQueryString.

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