Can I use LabWindows/CVI to interact with a standalone DOS executable which just takes simple keystrokes?

[Benjamin]

Hi, I am fairly new to LabWindows/CVI. I was wondering if it was possible to operate a standalone DOS executable which basically takes simple keystrokes to operate. The goal is to have LabWindows make the DOS executable the active task and have LabWindows enter predetermined keystrokes that will control the DOS program. If making the DOS executable to be the active task isn't possible, can it be controlled in the background by LabWindows/CVI?

I am running LabWindows CVI 5.x on Windows 2000 Pro.

Any help would be great.

Thanks,

Benjamin

[Jattie]

I'm not sure that I'm understanding the question, but if you want to USE CVI to generate a standalone dos program that can run from the command line dos shell environment and the pass 'messages to and from a window based application I can see no problem in doing that. Under target settings you simply select create console application and you simply dont run your application from a GUI frontend and then you can sit in a loop processing keystrokes from the keyboard and respond appropriately.

Hope that answers your question.

[Benjamin]

Hi Jattie, thanks for attempting to answer my question. Let me clear up my question some and maybe you can help me further. There is this DOS program/executable (not written by CVI) that I want to control using my own CVI program. The DOS program runs a special piece of equipment, and to exercise it, you just enter one keystroke at a time. Well, I want to automate this procedure so that someone doesn't have to sit at the computer to enter the keystrokes. I want my CVI program to be able to access the DOS program and put in the keystrokes. So, within my C Code, I will preprogram all the keystrokes that I will need to fully automate my test procedure. The desired result is to be running both the DOS program and my CVI program simultaneously and have the
CVI program enter the keystrokes into the DOS programs when needed. Now, I have the ability to do this, but ONLY if I use two computers that are connected serially, of which the DOS program runs on one computer and the CVI program on another computer. I want to be able to do this from only one computer to save on costs. Any further ideas you may have for me will be great. Thanks.