Question

How do I run a client side app (exe) from a web page?

Asked by: -JerodR

I need to access client side apps and docs from unc and local paths.

Using: VS 2005, APS 2.0, IIS, Sql Sever 2005

Primary Language: VB (Not Scared of C#)

I've Tried:
o WScript.Shell
      -Runs at server.
o VBS
      -Got it to run at client on click without wysiwyg, but could not figure out how to incorporate it in clr.

o Flash
      -Tried FScommand, but failed..  flash is too pretty.

o SQL Server Stored Procedure

      -Runs at server.

o ActiveX
      -Man, I am so close.
            o I am able to create and ActiveX control in vb6 (that runs a client side exe) and place it on my page.  but I am not certian if I shoud explore further in this direction.  I need to be able to pass parameters (so I can run the exe/pdf/doc that I need) from it.  

Now you want to know why?  

Are you thinking what i'm thinking pinky.  "I think so Brain, but where are we going to find rubber gloves our size?"

I have an intranet that runs a ton of crystal reports.  My asp page finds them in the file system and runs them in a Crystal control in a sub of the masterpage when the user selects them from a dynamically loaded treeview.  I have VB apps I have written that I would like to be able to execute also in the same folder, pdfs and docs would be a plus.  Intranet only not Internet, so I can change the client and limit to IE if necessary.

I have searched for days on this issue.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Jerod

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Asked On
2008-09-11 at 19:51:53ID23725230
Tags

WebObjects

Topics

Apple Software

,

ActiveX

,

Microsoft IIS Web Server

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Answers

 

by: Gideon7Posted on 2008-09-11 at 20:29:42ID: 22456926

If by "web page" you mean download a web page from a web-server (as opposed to say, clicking directly on a file foo.htm locally), what you are trying to do violates the basic security model of the web.   Allowing a page downloaded from a web-server to arbitrarily run programs puts your computer at the mercy of the web site author.

There is no way to do what you want, short of completely subverting the security of the web browser.

 

by: -JerodRPosted on 2008-09-11 at 20:59:04ID: 22457064

What I am trying to do is all on the same subnet on a local intarnet.  I am using IIS on server 2003 to host the aspx pages.  I think that is causing my limitations.  I would like to be able to use all of the rich controls ans features of asp and accomplish my task.    

Right now I have a VD with all my crystal reports and exes in it.  I want local users to be able to access them in one app. that does not have to be maintained or installed on the client side.   I also do not want to use RDP or Terminal Services.  

-Jerod

 

by: -JerodRPosted on 2008-09-12 at 08:32:56ID: 22460810

Another reason I need to use ASP is because the Crystal Reports cascading, and dynamic parameters work.

 I have thought (and actually started) rewriting the app as a windows application.  Then I noticed that dynamic parameters were not functioning.  At this point I will either have to write a report loader with a parameter handeler (not on top of things I want to delve into)  and rewrite the report viewer in a windows app, or get local exes to somehow run form ASP.  

The exes are just small apps that do varios things for the company (about 30 of them in various folders mixed with reports in the treeview.  Some even load reports and interact with the databases.  I need them to be availavble in the same menu as the crystal reports.  It's kind of a catch 22.  

Dosent sound like too tall of an order, but it has become a nightmare.

Is there a way to fire and activex control with parameters from the asp?  Not seen by the user, it could take the path to the exe from the button click event, shell to the exe on the client side then close itself.  The when the user is done with the exe they simply close it, and go on their way.

Will that work?

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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