query external program status

[Jerry_T]

I have an application that requires an external program to be running in the background.  I can successfully open the program from within labview, but on a second pass I get an error message saying that the program is already running.  Does anyone know how I can query the status of that program (running or not) from within labview to avoid trying to open a running program

[10Degree]

Jerry_T,

I found a way using .NET.  I attached a VI that looks at the currently running processes to see if Notepad is running or not.  I think you could easily adapte this to find any application.  You can also search for a process by window title by using MainWindowTitle property.  Hope this helps.

-cb

[smercurio_fc]

You didn't mention which operating system, so assuming Windows, and if you're on Windows XP Pro, you can use the "tasklist" command with the System Exec function:


You can easily parse the string to find the process you're looking for.

Message Edited by smercurio_fc on 10-24-2007 04:15 PM

[smercurio_fc]

If I remember correctly I think on Linux it's "ps -ef | grep programname". Not sure - my Unix is a little rusty.

[Jerry_T]

10 Degree

Thanks!  With slight modification I was able to create a universal vi that looks for any running process.