Calling and Controlling an application exe

[vish.solanki]

I have an application (exe) used to configure and calibrate an instrument. The application purpose is basic operation to load an config file and send to the instrument. (it has few controls-buttons and indicator) . We do not have any API or interfaces to the pass or control the exe. I want to call this .exe from LabVIEW and automate the process of (configure and calibrate number of instruments) I do know "Call System exe" function exists. But can we work with such and exe with no APIs? All suggestions welcome or any work around possible.please share.

[GerdW]

Hi vish,

But can we work with such and exe with no APIs?

Several options:

- Well, you can start that EXE - and the user has to use it "manually" as before.

- You could try tools like AutoIt to automate that EXE…

- When you have a user/programming manual for that "instrument" you could try to create the same tasks directly in LabVIEW…

[Bob_Schor]

Sounds pretty opaque to me.  The absence of a Manual, the identity of the Instrument, and an example of a Configuration File would lead me, anyway, to say "I wouldn't attempt to do this".

Bob Schor

[zou]

If you are using MS Windows, you can control other exe using Windows API.  You can copy/paste, simulate click, etc...

Take a look this NIWeek 2018 presentation:

UI: Leveraging the Windows API to Extend LabVIEW GUI Capabilities