I have created a simple Access database for a customer and I need to schedule a job using report caster that will execute a macro in that database.

The command that I need to run is:
\\Ntfs29\FinShare\PRICING\CEI_BANKDRAFT\MSACCESS.EXE \\Ntfs29\FinShare\PRICING\CEI_BANKDRAFT\CEI_BANKDRAFT.MDB /x CEI_BANKDRAFT_APPEND_PURGE_HISTORY_MACRO

I have tried putting this command in a .bat file and using the dos command within a .fex to execute it, but it does not work...no errors, it just doesn't do anything.

Can you instruct me on the proper way to execute this ? Thank you.

cvernon,

Not sure if you tried this already, but try the SYSTEM subroutine as documented here:

http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/masterinde.../wf_apps/15ap128.htm

Also, does the .bat file work if you run it outside of WebFOCUS just by double-clicking it in Windows Explorer?

Joe

Here is an example of erasing files.

-* ERASE OLD FILES FROM SPGTEMP AREA

-SET &CSVFILE = '"&&IBSGLOBALDIR.EVAL' || '\IBSshare\Production\SPGTemp\*.CSV"';

-SET &CMD='ERASE &CSVFILE.EVAL';
&FOCMODE &CMD.EVAL

-RUN

Thank you. Yes, the .bat file works great outside of WebFocus. I will give the suggestions a try, thanks.

Joe,
I have put the following code in my .fex:
-SET &RETCODE = SYSTEM(154,'\\Ntfs29\FinShare\PRICING\CEI_BANKDRAFT\MSACCESS.EXE \\Ntfs29\FinShare\PRICING\CEI_BANKDRAFT\CEI_BANKDRAFT.MDB /x CEI_BANKDRAFT_APPEND_PURGE_HISTORY_MACRO','D4');
-RUN
-EXIT

It runs without errors, but doesn't do anything. I end up killing the job because it stops registering CPU & I/O time. Any other ideas ?

Lenny...I haven't tried your reply because I'm having difficulty understanding it...not your fault, I'm a novice at this type of programming, but I will try it eventually.

Mine just does an erase of a file. But executing a .bat or .cmd file would be the same.

I have run the following thru report caster:
-SET &RETCODE = SYSTEM(154,'\\Ntfs29\FinShare\PRICING\CEI_BANKDRAFT\MSACCESS.EXE \\Ntfs29\FinShare\PRICING\CEI_BANKDRAFT\CEI_BANKDRAFT.MDB /x CEI_BANKDRAFT_APPEND_PURGE_HISTORY_MACRO','D4');
-RUN
-EXIT


The string is being truncated after the /x CEI. Is there a limit on the length of the string ? I have looked thru documentation and haven't found anything indicating that, yet. Any other ideas ? Thanks so much !

This works:

-SET &ECHO=ALL;
-SET &SYS_CMD = 'C:\temp\very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_long_name\NOTEPAD.EXE C:\temp\very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_very_long_name\environment variables.txt';
-SET &RETCODE = SYSTEM(&SYS_CMD.LENGTH,'&SYS_CMD.EVAL','D4');

The command is 263 characters long, so it's most likely not the length of your command. Neither is it the blank in the command, I have 'environment variables.txt' and that works.

Does the command work from a DOS prompt?

I suggest you put the command you want to execute in a Dialog Manager variable. Then you can code the SYSTEM command by using the .length syntax so you won't have to calculate the length of the command. This, unfortunately will probably not solve your problem.

What version of Windows is the WebFOCUS server running on? What is the version of WebFOCUS?

I have NOT tried this through ReportCaster.