Run
Transfers execution to an external program
Syntax
`
Declare Function Run ( ByRef program As Const String, ByRef arguments As Const String = "``" ) As Integer
`
Usage
`
result = Run( program [, arguments ] )
`
Parameters
`program`
The file name (including file path) of the program (executable) to transfer control to.
`arguments`
The command-line arguments to be passed to the program.
Return Value
Returns negative one (`-1`) if the program could not be executed.
Description
Transfers control over to an external program. When the program exits, execution will return to the system.
Example
`
'' Attempt to transfer control to "program.exe" in the current directory.
Dim result As Integer = Run("program.exe")
'' at this point, "program.exe" has failed to execute, and
'' result will be set to -1.
`
Platform Differences

- Linux requires the program case matches the real name of the file. Windows and DOS are case insensitive. The program being run may be case sensitive for its command line parameters.
- Path separators in Linux are forward slashes ("`/`"). Windows uses backward slashes ("`\`") although some versions of Windows allow forward slashes. DOS uses backward slashes.

Differences from QB

- `Run` needs the full executable name, including extension (`.exe`) on platforms that have one (Win32, DOS).
- Returning an error code is new to FreeBASIC.

See also

- `Exec` transfer temporarily, with arguments
- `Chain` transfer temporarily, without arguments
- `Command` pick arguments