asked on

Programmatically shutting down Windows Notepad

My application creates a report file for the user to view in
Windows Notepad, by simply clicking on a speedbutton. However, sometimes some users forget to close down this file and run my program again - which will attempt to re-create this report file. When this happens, they of course get an I/O error window because this report file is already open in Windows Notepad.
is there a way I can automatically close this file (..if it happens to be open) whenever the user re-runs my program? It would save them from crashing the program.

Thanks
Shawn Halfpenny
drumme59@sprint.ca

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

viktornet

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Madshi

aztec,

if you want to close the notepad use something like

(1) PostMessage(FindWindow('Notepad',nil),WM_CLOSE,0,0);

Regards, Madshi.

aztec

ASKER

Yes, but I don't want to just close down Notepad - as the user could have other files open which he is working on. Ideally I would like to check if the specific .rpt file is open, THEN close it down. See what I mean? Is there a way to check if a certain file is open, and if it is, THEN close it?

Regards
Shawn

viktornet

var
F : File;
begin
try
AssignFile(F, 'C:\windows\desktop\test.txt');
try
Reset(f);
except
SendMessage(TheFileHandle, WM_CLOSE, 0, 0);
finally
CloseFile(F);
end;
end;

Not sure if it works and if this is the way to do but you might want to try it out....

//Viktor

Madshi

aztec,

you could look if your filename is in the notepad's title bar (GetWindowText).
If you want to check if the file is open, use an exception statement (see Viktor's last comment).

Regards, Madshi.

aztec

ASKER

Thanks Viktor.

Regards,
Shawn