Visual Basic.NET
Visual Basic.NET

VB.Net - Call External EXE with Return value

Good Day Experts!

I am not sure how to accomplish the end task for my project. I am calling an exe using the following code from a testing project which will mimic calling from a current production project.

Dim pHelp as New ProcessStartInfo
phelp.FileName = "C:\Testing\WindowsApplication5.exe"
pHelp.Arguments = "44070,44145,21"
pHelp.UseShellExecute = False
pHelp.WindowsStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Normal
Dim proc as Process = Process.Start(Help)

The exe produces the mileage between 2 zipcodes. I have the mileage showing in a messagebox coded in the exe.

The trouble I have now is that I cannot figure out how to get that mileage returned back to my calling testing project.
The code from the exe is contained in Sub Main() within Module MainMod.

Can you offer any suggestions?

Thanks for the help,
jimbo99999

Jimbo99999Asked: 2015-10-15

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LVL 18

Anil GolamariCommented: 2015-10-15

sample code in C# but it should return/capture output of exe.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4291912/process-start-how-to-get-the-output

LVL 86

Mike TomlinsonHigh School Computer Science, Computer Applications, and Mathematics TeachersCommented: 2015-10-15

I have the mileage showing in a messagebox coded in the exe.

Pass that computed mileage to the Environment.Exit() method:

        Dim mileage As Integer = 911
        Environment.Exit(mileage)

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Now, in your calling program, wait for the called application to exit and then grab the ExitCode:

        Dim proc As Process = Process.Start(pHelp)
        proc.WaitForExit()
        Dim mileage As Integer = proc.ExitCode
        MessageBox.Show("Captured mileage = " & mileage)

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Jimbo99999Author Commented: 2015-10-16

Hey There Experts!

Ok, this is exciting I have the mileage getting back to my test calling project.

However, I have been unable to get it back with the decimal point.

Do you all know if it is possible to do that?

Thanks,
jimbo99999

LVL 86

Mike TomlinsonHigh School Computer Science, Computer Applications, and Mathematics TeachersCommented: 2015-10-16

Depends on which approach you're using...

For my solution using Environment.Exit(), pick a precision and pass out the number as an integer; then divide by a factor of ten to move the decimal place back again.

For example, if your mileage was 22.34 miles, you'd return 2234 and then divide by 100 in the calling program to convert it back to decimal.

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