Running External Applications

Use Studio to start different executable programs existing in the system, from inside Studio. It is possible to work with the executables in a parallel process. This feature is called `Named Runs'. Named run feature eliminates the need to type long commands to run a executable file by introducing a shortcut under Build option in the Studio main menu. This chapter describes how to configure the executables and run them in Studio.

To run any external executable program inside Studio, the required information should be configured first. The maximum number of executables that can be set is nine.

To configure the named runs, select Build > Named Run Settings from the main menu or press Ctrl + Alt + N. Named Run Settings panel appears.

Name: A name to be used to run the executable inside Studio. This field is mandatory

Command: Location of the executable file in the system. The browse button can also be used to locate the file. This field is mandatory

Working Dir: Working directory that specifies the location of named run execution. This field is optional

Args: Arguments to be used to run the executable. There are various argument strings provided by the Run tool, which are dynamically changed just before executing the named run. Such argument strings can be selected by using the Arguments dropdown or can be entered manually

Show Output Panel: Check this option to view output details when running the executable. This option is unchecked when the panel appears

Hide Output Panel on Exit: Check this option to hide the output panel when exiting the executable only if the output panel was hidden before starting the executable. This option is unchecked when the panel appears

Prompt for Input: Check this option to view an input prompt before named run execution. The typed message is then appended to the text in the Arguments field and provided during named run configuration. For example, when the named run is a browser and the option `Prompt for Input' has been checked, a panel asking for an input appears. Entering a site name here opens the browser with the specified site as the home page

Adding, modifying and deleting named runs

To add a executable file use the Add button in the Named Run Settings panel. This activates the Name field.

Type a name for the named run. For example, Demo.

Command field has a default entry. For example, c:\j2sdk1.4.1\bin\java. Modify as required.

Select an argument from the argument list. Select Show Output Panel, Hide Output Panel on Exit, and Prompt for Input options as required.

Click OK. The shortcut for Demo appears under the Build menu.

Select Build > Named Run Settings or press Ctrl+Alt+N to open the Named Run Settings panel.

Select the required named run from the dropdown in the Name field.

Make the required changes and click Modify.

Open the Named Run Settings panel.

Select the named run to be deleted from the dropdown in the Name field and click Delete.

Argument list

Click the right arrow button to view the list of tasks that can be performed using the arguments available in Studio:

Open File Name: Corresponding argument string is $FILE_NAME. The complete path of the file already open in the editor replaces this string just before executing the named run

Selected Desk Node File Name: Corresponding argument string is $DESK_NODE_NAME. The complete path of the file selected from the desk, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Open File Class Name: Corresponding argument string is $FILE_CLASS_NAME. The class name of the file open in the editor, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Selected Desk Node Class Name: Corresponding argument string is $DESK_NODE_CLASS_NAME. The class name of the file selected in the desk, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Open File Classpath: Corresponding argument string is $FILE_CLASSPATH. The classpath associated with the file open in the editor, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Selected Desk Node Classpath: The corresponding argument string is $DESK_NODE_CLASSPATH. The classpath of the file selected in the desk, replaces this string just before executing the named run

System Classpath: Corresponding argument string is $SYSTEM_CLASSPATH. The classpath of Studio, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Open File Output Dir: Corresponding argument string is $FILE_DIR. The full path of the output directory associated with the file open in the editor, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Selected Desk Node Output Dir: Corresponding argument string is $DESK_NODE_DIR. The target directory of the file selected in the desk, replaces this string just before executing the named run

Desk Dir: Corresponding argument string is $DESK_DIR. The full path of the directory of the active desk replaces this string just before executing the named run

Module Dir: Corresponding argument string is $MODULE_DIR. The full path of the directory of the last selected module replaces this string just before executing the named run

Project Main Class: Corresponding argument string is $PROJ_MAIN_CLASS. The full path of the project main class of the active desk replaces this string just before executing the named run

Displaying output messages

Running a named run as a parallel process introduces a tab for it in the output panel. The tab has two sections - the output panel and the Input Text field. To close the tab, right click in the panel and select Close. All output messages of the running application are displayed in the output panel. These messages cannot be edited. To clear all the messages, right click in the panel and select Clear. The Input Text field appears in the lower half of the output panel. Text entered in this field is treated as the standard input required by the program.