Sending Keystrokes to open windows applications

[TheSpecialist]

I would like to send the following keystrokes to a windows application:

1234 enter

How can I perform this task in CVI?  Do sample programs exist?

[acm573]

Hello:

It is simple using in SDK of Windows with CVI. At this time I don't find the application that I made some years ago in which I take the control of another application under Windows sending messages of keys.

Ahead of time I can comment you that you can solve it with the SDK.

Give me some days to locate the example and I send it to you.

My English excuses, it is not good as you will be able to realize.

Greetings!

[test_man]

Autoit would be your answer.

http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/downloads.php

Just include .h, .lib file to your project. Copy dll to your project dir and start calling functions.

[TheSpecialist]

I am using CVI (ANSI C) and am having trouble with the .h file.  I receive error messages like the one shown below:

 Iline.c - 20 errors
  "AutoIt3.h"(36,21)   syntax error; found 'identifier' expecting ';'.
  "AutoIt3.h"(39,21)   Redeclaration of 'WINAPI' previously declared at AutoIt3.h:36.
 

Any suggestions?

[Jon_M]

TheSpecialist,

Though its not supported by NI, I took a look at that header file. You'll need another #define WINAPI at the top of the file. Once that's there you'll have to comment out one of the functions in order to get it to compile.

[TheSpecialist]

I added the WINAPI def and it cleared most of the error messages.  It still does not compile completly.  What examples exist in CVI that can perform keystrokes to a windows app?

[Jon_M]

There are not any examples for doing that. However there is a function in CVI called FakeKeystroke that will allow you to send keystrokes. See this thread for more information on using it.

Message Edited by Jon M on 05-29-2007 11:04 AM

[TheSpecialist]

I reviewed the example and am having trouble sending the characters.  I have the handle that I would like to send 1234 then enter but am having trouble sending the characters.  I am not familiar with SDK.  Here is my code:

 stat= LaunchExecutableEx("C:\\Program Files\\Honeywell\\ConfigTool\\ConfigTool.exe ",LE_SHOWNORMAL
       ,&CONFIG);
      
        Delay(7); 
    
    iHwnd = FindWindow(NULL, "Start");
    PostMessage(iHwnd, WM_CHAR,49, 1);
    PostMessage(iHwnd, WM_CHAR,50, 1);    
    PostMessage(iHwnd, WM_CHAR,51, 1);    
    PostMessage(iHwnd, WM_CHAR,52, 1);    
    PostMessage(iHwnd, WM_CHAR,13, 1);    

The application opens, after 7 seconds the panel in the background loses focus but the characters are not sent.

[Jon_M]

TheSpecialist,

As noted on the other thread, you will probably need to send WM_KEYDOWN messages and possibly WM_KEYUP messages as well. I would suggest looking at the MSDN information about Keyboard Input.

[TheSpecialist]

I finally figured it out.  Thanks for the help!!

Jon K.