Problem with popen on windows

[Kroeger Simon (ext)]

Hi all,

i'm using ruby 1.8.2 (2004-12-25) [i386-mswin32] on win2000.

When starting my GUI app with rubyw (because i don't like the empty
window) there is another window poping up whenever i call popen. (or use
backquotes to start another process)

Using just ruby.exe all seems fine (except the initial nasty empty
window)

Someone knows a way around?

cheers

Simon

 

[Robert Klemme]

Hi all,

i'm using ruby 1.8.2 (2004-12-25) [i386-mswin32] on win2000.

When starting my GUI app with rubyw (because i don't like the empty
window) there is another window poping up whenever i call popen. (or
use backquotes to start another process)

Using just ruby.exe all seems fine (except the initial nasty empty
window)

Someone knows a way around?

Untested: maybe you can change COMSPEC env var in your ruby script to
point to another binary that won't open a window before executing the new
process. Another option might be to add a command line param to COMSPEC -
although I don't know whether that would work.

Kind regards

robert

 

[stevetuckner]

Hi all,

i'm using ruby 1.8.2 (2004-12-25) [i386-mswin32] on win2000.

When starting my GUI app with rubyw (because i don't like the empty
window) there is another window poping up whenever i call popen. (or use
backquotes to start another process)

Using just ruby.exe all seems fine (except the initial nasty empty
window)

Someone knows a way around?

cheers

Simon

Below was my attempt to say, here is how you should fix this issue. And
then it didn't work. If I run it with ruby it works fine. When I run it
with rubyw, it just goes away when I click run. Any ideas anyone? The
system code and `` code is taken from the list a long time ago.

Steve Tuckner

---------------------------------------------
require "vr/vruby"
require "vr/vrcontrol"
require 'Win32API'

def system(command)
Win32API.new("crtdll", "system", ['P'], 'L').Call(command)
end

def `(command)
popen = Win32API.new("crtdll", "_popen", ['P','P'], 'L')
pclose = Win32API.new("crtdll", "_pclose", ['L'], 'L')
fread = Win32API.new("crtdll", "fread", ['P','L','L','L'], 'L')
feof = Win32API.new("crtdll", "feof", ['L'], 'L')
saved_stdout = $stdout.clone
psBuffer = " " * 128
rBuffer = ""
f = popen.Call(command,"r")
while feof.Call( f )==0
l = fread.Call( psBuffer,1,128,f )
rBuffer += psBuffer[0..l]
end
pclose.Call f
$stdout.reopen(saved_stdout)
rBuffer
end

class MyForm < VRForm

def construct
addControl VRButton, "run", "run", 0, 0, 150, 40
move 0, 0, 160, 73
end

def run_clicked
messageBox(`dir`)
end
end

VRLocalScreen.showForm MyForm
VRLocalScreen.messageloop

 

[x1]

------=_Part_50_3018462.1126228154186
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline

I second this and have battled it numerous times. Finally, I've just given=
=20
up on it and execute the job with ruby.exe, and let a dos prompt sit there=
=20
ignorantly.

I've been sitting here hopelessly PRAYING that a fix for this will be=20
provided with ruby2.

*waits impatiently.

=20
Kroeger Simon (ext) wrote:
=20

Hi all,

i'm using ruby 1.8.2 (2004-12-25) [i386-mswin32] on win2000.

When starting my GUI app with rubyw (because i don't like the empty
window) there is another window poping up whenever i call popen. (or use
backquotes to start another process)

Using just ruby.exe all seems fine (except the initial nasty empty
window)

Someone knows a way around?

cheers

Simon

Below was my attempt to say, here is how you should fix this issue. And
then it didn't work. If I run it with ruby it works fine. When I run it
with rubyw, it just goes away when I click run. Any ideas anyone? The
system code and `` code is taken from the list a long time ago.
=20
Steve Tuckner
=20
---------------------------------------------
require "vr/vruby"
require "vr/vrcontrol"
require 'Win32API'
=20
def system(command)
Win32API.new("crtdll", "system", ['P'], 'L').Call(command)
end
=20
def `(command)
popen =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "_popen", ['P','P'], 'L')
pclose =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "_pclose", ['L'], 'L')
fread =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "fread", ['P','L','L','L'], 'L')
feof =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "feof", ['L'], 'L')
saved_stdout =3D $stdout.clone
psBuffer =3D " " * 128
rBuffer =3D ""
f =3D popen.Call(command,"r")
while feof.Call( f )=3D=3D0
l =3D fread.Call( psBuffer,1,128,f )
rBuffer +=3D psBuffer[0..l]
end
pclose.Call f
$stdout.reopen(saved_stdout)
rBuffer
end
=20
class MyForm < VRForm
=20
def construct
addControl VRButton, "run", "run", 0, 0, 150, 40
move 0, 0, 160, 73
end
=20
def run_clicked
messageBox(`dir`)
end
end
=20
VRLocalScreen.showForm MyForm
VRLocalScreen.messageloop
=20
=20
=20

------=_Part_50_3018462.1126228154186--

 

[x1]

I just found a fix that works for me.. I hope this helps someone else out.=
..
=20
Nonetheless, it does require a small vb script, which acts as a
parent for the child script.. to execute, the command is as follows:
=20

WScript RunHide.vbs Cmd /C MyBatch.cmd

=20
The internal source to RunHide.vbs is as follows:
##########################################################################=
####

' ___________________________________________________________________
'
'  VBScript File:   RunHide.vbs
'  Author:          Frank-Peter Schultze
'
'  Updates:         http://www.fpschultze.de/w5.htm
'  Enhancement Req.
'  and Bug Reports: [email protected]
'
'  Built/Tested On: Windows 2000 SP2
'  Requirements:    OS: Windows NT4+
'                   WSH: 1.0+
'
'  Purpose:         Create a new process that executes in a hidden
'                   window.
'
'  Syntax:          RunHide Command [Arg1 ["Arg 2" [...
'
'  State Changes:  =20
'
'  Assumptions And
'  Limitations:    =20
'
'  Last Update:     2004-01-29
' ___________________________________________________________________
'

Option Explicit

On Error Resume Next

Dim oSh, sCmd, i

If Not IsWscript() Then
WScript.Echo "Please run this script using WSCRIPT."
WScript.Quit(1)
End If

If ParseCmdLine(sCmd) Then
Set oSh =3D CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
oSh.Run Trim(sCmd), 0, False
End If

WScript.Quit(0)


Private Function ParseCmdLine(sCmd)

Dim i

ParseCmdLine =3D False

If WScript.Arguments.Count > 0 Then
Select Case WScript.Arguments(0)
Case "/?" : ShowUsage(True)
Case "-?" : ShowUsage(True)
Case "/h" : ShowUsage(True)
Case "-h" : ShowUsage(True)
Case "h"  : ShowUsage(True)
Case Else : For i =3D 0 to WScript.Arguments.Count -1
If InStr(WScript.Arguments(i), " ") Then
sCmd =3D sCmd & " " & Chr(34) &
WScript.Arguments(i) & Chr(34)
Else
sCmd =3D sCmd & " " & WScript.Arguments(i)
End If
Next
ParseCmdLine =3D True
End Select
Else
ShowUsage(True)
End If

ParseCmdLine =3D True

End Function


Private Function IsWscript()

IsWscript =3D False

If InStrRev(LCase(WScript.FullName), "wscript.exe", -1) Then
IsWscript =3D True
End If

End Function


Private Sub ShowUsage(bExit)

Dim strHelp

strHelp =3D "Creates a new process that executes in a hidden window." & _
vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
"RunHide Command [Arg1 [" & Chr(34) & "Arg 2" & Chr(34) & " [..=
"
MsgBox strHelp, 64, "RunHide Syntax"

If bExit Then
WScript.Quit(1)
End If

End Sub
=20

###########################################################################=
###

Here's the quick test case I wrote (3 files):
c:\temp\dosprompt.rb
c:\temp\RunHide.vbs
c:\temp\test.bat

[dosprompt.rb code]
puts "Hi"
IO.popen("cmd /c c:/temp/test.bat")
sleep 2
puts "bye"
[/dosprompt.rb code]

[test.bat code]
echo hello > c:\asdfxxx.txt
[/test.bat code]

[RunHide.vbs code was previously mentioned above/]

To validate that it did in fact run, just run this from a command
prompt or from start > run
"WScript c:\temp\RunHide.vbs Cmd /C "C:\temp\dosprompt.rb""

To validate it ran ok...
c:\asdfxxx.txt should exist and contain "hello"

This seems to easy so.. perhaps I missed something.. if not, I'll be
happy about this tomorrow morning. Let me know if this works out for
you guys..

Credit to RunHide goes to this guy:
http://www.fpschultze.de/w5.htm

thx



=20

I second this and have battled it numerous times. Finally, I've just give= n
up on it and execute the job with ruby.exe, and let a dos prompt sit ther= e
ignorantly.
=20
I've been sitting here hopelessly PRAYING that a fix for this will be
provided with ruby2.
=20
*waits impatiently.
=20

Hi all,

i'm using ruby 1.8.2 (2004-12-25) [i386-mswin32] on win2000.

When starting my GUI app with rubyw (because i don't like the empty
window) there is another window poping up whenever i call popen. (or u= se
backquotes to start another process)

Using just ruby.exe all seems fine (except the initial nasty empty
window)

Someone knows a way around?

cheers

Simon

Below was my attempt to say, here is how you should fix this issue. And
then it didn't work. If I run it with ruby it works fine. When I run it
with rubyw, it just goes away when I click run. Any ideas anyone? The
system code and `` code is taken from the list a long time ago.

Steve Tuckner

---------------------------------------------
require "vr/vruby"
require "vr/vrcontrol"
require 'Win32API'

def system(command)
Win32API.new("crtdll", "system", ['P'], 'L').Call(command)
end

def `(command)
popen =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "_popen", ['P','P'], 'L')
pclose =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "_pclose", ['L'], 'L')
fread =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "fread", ['P','L','L','L'], 'L')
feof =3D Win32API.new("crtdll", "feof", ['L'], 'L')
saved_stdout =3D $stdout.clone
psBuffer =3D " " * 128
rBuffer =3D ""
f =3D popen.Call(command,"r")
while feof.Call( f )=3D=3D0
l =3D fread.Call( psBuffer,1,128,f )
rBuffer +=3D psBuffer[0..l]
end
pclose.Call f
$stdout.reopen(saved_stdout)
rBuffer
end

class MyForm < VRForm

def construct
addControl VRButton, "run", "run", 0, 0, 150, 40
move 0, 0, 160, 73
end

def run_clicked
messageBox(`dir`)
end
end

VRLocalScreen.showForm MyForm
VRLocalScreen.messageloop

=20

 

[Simon Kröger]

[...]
Below was my attempt to say, here is how you should fix this issue. And
then it didn't work. If I run it with ruby it works fine. When I run it
with rubyw, it just goes away when I click run. Any ideas anyone? The
system code and `` code is taken from the list a long time ago.

Steve Tuckner
[...cool code...]

From the msdn library:

Note The _popen function returns an invalid file handle, if used in a
Windows program, that will cause the program to hang indefinitely.
_popen works properly in a Console application. To create a Windows
application that redirects input and output, read the section "Creating
a Child Process with Redirected Input and Output" in the Win32 SDK.

hmmm ... i will read through the mentioned section ....
(it's not 100% clear to me if this means "don't start a windows program
with popen" or "don't start any program from a windows program" - it
would make kind of sense if redirecting stdin from a program without
stdin would fail)

btw: on my computers (XP-Home) nothing 'goes away' but the cmd.exe
window flickers as if ruby's popen would be used - strange.

From the msdn again:

..and asynchronously executes a spawned copy of the command processor..

this is the main problem i guess.

cheers

Simon

 

[Simon Kröger]

[...]
hmmm ... i will read through the mentioned section ....

I did.

Ok, here is the 'solution': one has to use CreateProcess to spawn the=20
child. Unfortunately this is a bit more complicated but thanks to=20
Win32API its all achievable in pure ruby.

The stuff in $0 =3D=3D __FILE__ builds a simple fox gui and starts cmd.ex=
e=20
if a button is pressed. It uses a pipe to write to the stdin of the=20
child ('dir\n') and reads back the childs stdout via another pipe and=20
dumps it to a text control. (The stderror is also mapped but not used)

It's still some work to make it look as easy as popen, but definitaly=20
possible.

Here is the code:
(some lines are copied from this list and the net)

--------------------------------------------------------------------
require 'Win32API'

NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS =3D 0x00000020
STARTUP_INFO_SIZE =3D 68
PROCESS_INFO_SIZE =3D 16
SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES_SIZE =3D 12

ERROR_SUCCESS =3D 0x00
FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM =3D 0x1000
FORMAT_MESSAGE_ARGUMENT_ARRAY =3D 0x2000

HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT =3D 1
HANDLE_FLAG_PROTECT_FROM_CLOSE =3D2

STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW =3D 0x00000001
STARTF_USESTDHANDLES =3D 0x00000100

def raise_last_win_32_error
errorCode =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "GetLastError", [], 'L').call
if errorCode !=3D ERROR_SUCCESS
params =3D [
'L', # IN DWORD dwFlags,
'P', # IN LPCVOID lpSource,
'L', # IN DWORD dwMessageId,
'L', # IN DWORD dwLanguageId,
'P', # OUT LPSTR lpBuffer,
'L', # IN DWORD nSize,
'P', # IN va_list *Arguments
]

formatMessage =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "FormatMessage", params, =
'L')
msg =3D ' ' * 255
msgLength =3D formatMessage.call(FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM +
FORMAT_MESSAGE_ARGUMENT_ARRAY, '', errorCode, 0, msg, 255, '')

msg.gsub!(/\000/, '')
msg.strip!
raise msg
else
raise 'GetLastError returned ERROR_SUCCESS'
end
end

def create_pipe # returns read and write handle
params =3D [
'P', # pointer to read handle
'P', # pointer to write handle
'P', # pointer to security attributes
'L'] # pipe size

createPipe =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "CreatePipe", params, 'I')

read_handle, write_handle =3D [0].pack('I'), [0].pack('I')
sec_attrs =3D [SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES_SIZE, 0, 1].pack('III')

raise_last_win_32_error if createPipe.Call(read_handle,
write_handle, sec_attrs, 0).zero?

[read_handle.unpack('I')[0], write_handle.unpack('I')[0]]
end

def set_handle_information(handle, flags, value)
params =3D [
'L', # handle to an object
'L', # specifies flags to change
'L'] # specifies new values for flags

setHandleInformation =3D Win32API.new("kernel32",
"SetHandleInformation", params, 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if setHandleInformation.Call(handle,
flags, value).zero?
nil
end

def close_handle(handle)
closeHandle =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "CloseHandle", ['L'], 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if closeHandle.call(handle).zero?
end

def create_process(command, stdin, stdout, stderror)
params =3D [
'L', # IN LPCSTR lpApplicationName
'P', # IN LPSTR lpCommandLine
'L', # IN LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpProcessAttributes
'L', # IN LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpThreadAttributes
'L', # IN BOOL bInheritHandles
'L', # IN DWORD dwCreationFlags
'L', # IN LPVOID lpEnvironment
'L', # IN LPCSTR lpCurrentDirectory
'P', # IN LPSTARTUPINFOA lpStartupInfo
'P'] # OUT LPPROCESS_INFORMATION lpProcessInformation

startupInfo =3D [STARTUP_INFO_SIZE, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
STARTF_USESTDHANDLES | STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW, 0,
0, 0, stdin, stdout, stderror].pack('IIIIIIIIIIIISSIIII')

processInfo =3D [0, 0, 0, 0].pack('IIII')
command << 0

createProcess =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "CreateProcess", params, 'I=
')
raise_last_win_32_error if createProcess.call(0,
command, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, startupInfo, processInfo).zero?

hProcess, hThread, dwProcessId, dwThreadId =3D processInfo.unpack('LLL=
L')

close_handle(hProcess)
close_handle(hThread)

[dwProcessId, dwThreadId]
end

def write_file(hFile, buffer)
params =3D [
'L', # handle to file to write to
'P', # pointer to data to write to file
'L', # number of bytes to write
'P', # pointer to number of bytes written
'L'] # pointer to structure for overlapped I/O

written =3D [0].pack('I')
writeFile =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "WriteFile", params, 'I')

raise_last_win_32_error if writeFile.call(hFile, buffer, buffer.size,
written, 0).zero?

written.unpack('I')
end

def read_file(hFile)
params =3D [
'L', # handle of file to read
'P', # pointer to buffer that receives data
'L', # number of bytes to read
'P', # pointer to number of bytes read
'L'] #pointer to structure for data

number =3D [0].pack('I')
buffer =3D ' ' * 255

readFile =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "ReadFile", params, 'I')

return '' if readFile.call(hFile, buffer, 255, number, 0).zero?

buffer[0...number.unpack('I')[0]]
end


if $0 =3D=3D __FILE__
require 'fox12'

include Fox

application =3D FXApp.new("popen", "popen")

main =3D FXMainWindow.new(application, "popen", nil, nil, DECOR_ALL,
0, 0, 500, 500, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10)

button =3D FXButton.new(main, "&Do it!", nil, nil, 0,
FRAME_THICK|FRAME_RAISED|LAYOUT_FILL_X|LAYOUT_TOP|LAYOUT_LEFT,
0, 0, 0, 0, 10, 10, 5, 5)

frame =3D FXHorizontalFrame.new(main,
FRAME_THICK|FRAME_SUNKEN|LAYOUT_FILL_X|LAYOUT_FILL_Y,
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)

edit =3D FXText.new(frame, nil, 0,
LAYOUT_FILL_X|LAYOUT_FILL_Y|TEXT_READONLY, 0, 0, 0, 0)

edit.textColor, edit.backColor =3D 0xFFFFFF, 0

button.connect(SEL_COMMAND) do
cmd =3D 'cmd.exe'
input =3D "dir\nexit\n"

# create 3 pipes
child_in_r, child_in_w =3D create_pipe
child_out_r, child_out_w =3D create_pipe
child_error_r, child_error_w =3D create_pipe

# Ensure the write handle to the pipe for STDIN is not inherited.
set_handle_information(child_in_w, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_out_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_error_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)

processId, threadId =3D create_process(cmd, child_in_r,
child_out_w, child_error_w)

# we have to close the handles, so the pipes terminate with the proc=
ess
close_handle(child_out_w)
close_handle(child_error_w)

write_file(child_in_w, input)

while !(buffer =3D read_file(child_out_r)).empty?
edit.appendText(buffer.gsub("\r", ''))
end
end

application.create()
main.show(PLACEMENT_SCREEN)
application.run()
end
----------------------------------------------------------------------

i would love to see this taken further, eventually in the popen=20
implementation?

cheers

Simon

 

[Simon Kröger]

I just found a fix that works for me.. I hope this helps someone else out...

Nonetheless, it does require a small vb script, which acts as a
parent for the child script.. to execute, the command is as follows:

WScript RunHide.vbs Cmd /C MyBatch.cmd

Hmm, this might be a workaround but not realy a fix. At least not for my
problem. I don't want to distribute .vbs and .bat files.

Perhaps my other post offers a solution for you, too?

It's not very polished yet, but it does work (at least on my machine )

cheers

Simon

 

[x1]

Simon, this worked on my machine also --excellent!

---Question / Request:
I tried stripping out the GUI stuff so that I could implement this
'solution' into my current needs (to no avail)

I would like to use this as a replacement to popen(), could you help
me strip this down into popen() form?

After the read_file method, I tried keeping what appeared to do the
actual work but.. no luck.. any suggestions?
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------=
----------------------->
cmd =3D 'cmd.exe'
input =3D "c:\\temp\\test.bat\nexit\n"
# create 3 pipes
child_in_r, child_in_w =3D create_pipe
child_out_r, child_out_w =3D create_pipe
child_error_r, child_error_w =3D create_pipe
# Ensure the write handle to the pipe for STDIN is not inherited.
set_handle_information(child_in_w, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_out_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_error_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)

processId, threadId =3D create_process(cmd, child_in_r,
child_out_w, child_error_w)

# we have to close the handles, so the pipes terminate with the process
close_handle(child_out_w)
close_handle(child_error_w)

write_file(child_in_w, input)
#--------------------------------------------------------------------------=
----------------------->
# while !(buffer =3D read_file(child_out_r)).empty?
# edit.appendText(buffer.gsub("\r", ''))
# end

thank you very much!

x1 wrote:
=20

I just found a fix that works for me.. I hope this helps someone else = out...

Nonetheless, it does require a small vb script, which acts as a
parent for the child script.. to execute, the command is as follows:

WScript RunHide.vbs Cmd /C MyBatch.cmd

=20
Hmm, this might be a workaround but not realy a fix. At least not for my
problem. I don't want to distribute .vbs and .bat files.
=20
Perhaps my other post offers a solution for you, too?
=20
It's not very polished yet, but it does work (at least on my machine )
=20
cheers
=20
Simon
=20

 

[Simon Kröger]

Simon, this worked on my machine also --excellent!

---Question / Request:
I tried stripping out the GUI stuff so that I could implement this
'solution' into my current needs (to no avail)

I would like to use this as a replacement to popen(), could you help
me strip this down into popen() form?

After the read_file method, I tried keeping what appeared to do the
actual work but.. no luck.. any suggestions?

ok, here we go:
---------------------------------------
io = popen('ver')
puts io.read_all
---------------------------------------
better?

or:
---------------------------------------
io = popen('cmd')
io.write("ping localhost\nexit\n")

while !(buffer = io.read).empty?
print buffer
end
---------------------------------------
?

note that read blocks if there is no data to read, but this is done in a
ruby-thread friendly way. So you may put that in a new Thread and your
gui is still responsive (i tried that with the fox gui).
(if you let it block on read_file the whole process blocks)

The same is true for read_all and you can have multiple childs at once.

here is the complete code:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
require 'Win32API'

$stdout.sync = true

NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS = 0x00000020
STARTUP_INFO_SIZE = 68
PROCESS_INFO_SIZE = 16
SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES_SIZE = 12

ERROR_SUCCESS = 0x00
FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM = 0x1000
FORMAT_MESSAGE_ARGUMENT_ARRAY = 0x2000

HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT = 1
HANDLE_FLAG_PROTECT_FROM_CLOSE =2

STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW = 0x00000001
STARTF_USESTDHANDLES = 0x00000100

def raise_last_win_32_error
errorCode = Win32API.new("kernel32", "GetLastError", [], 'L').call
if errorCode != ERROR_SUCCESS
params = [
'L', # IN DWORD dwFlags,
'P', # IN LPCVOID lpSource,
'L', # IN DWORD dwMessageId,
'L', # IN DWORD dwLanguageId,
'P', # OUT LPSTR lpBuffer,
'L', # IN DWORD nSize,
'P', # IN va_list *Arguments
]

formatMessage = Win32API.new("kernel32", "FormatMessage", params, 'L')
msg = ' ' * 255
msgLength = formatMessage.call(FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM +
FORMAT_MESSAGE_ARGUMENT_ARRAY, '', errorCode, 0, msg, 255, '')

msg.gsub!(/\000/, '')
msg.strip!
raise msg
else
raise 'GetLastError returned ERROR_SUCCESS'
end
end

def create_pipe # returns read and write handle
params = [
'P', # pointer to read handle
'P', # pointer to write handle
'P', # pointer to security attributes
'L'] # pipe size

createPipe = Win32API.new("kernel32", "CreatePipe", params, 'I')

read_handle, write_handle = [0].pack('I'), [0].pack('I')
sec_attrs = [SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES_SIZE, 0, 1].pack('III')

raise_last_win_32_error if createPipe.Call(read_handle,
write_handle, sec_attrs, 0).zero?

[read_handle.unpack('I')[0], write_handle.unpack('I')[0]]
end

def set_handle_information(handle, flags, value)
params = [
'L', # handle to an object
'L', # specifies flags to change
'L'] # specifies new values for flags

setHandleInformation = Win32API.new("kernel32",
"SetHandleInformation", params, 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if setHandleInformation.Call(handle,
flags, value).zero?
nil
end

def close_handle(handle)
closeHandle = Win32API.new("kernel32", "CloseHandle", ['L'], 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if closeHandle.call(handle).zero?
end

def create_process(command, stdin, stdout, stderror)
params = [
'L', # IN LPCSTR lpApplicationName
'P', # IN LPSTR lpCommandLine
'L', # IN LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpProcessAttributes
'L', # IN LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpThreadAttributes
'L', # IN BOOL bInheritHandles
'L', # IN DWORD dwCreationFlags
'L', # IN LPVOID lpEnvironment
'L', # IN LPCSTR lpCurrentDirectory
'P', # IN LPSTARTUPINFOA lpStartupInfo
'P'] # OUT LPPROCESS_INFORMATION lpProcessInformation

startupInfo = [STARTUP_INFO_SIZE, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
STARTF_USESTDHANDLES | STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW, 0,
0, 0, stdin, stdout, stderror].pack('IIIIIIIIIIIISSIIII')

processInfo = [0, 0, 0, 0].pack('IIII')
command << 0

createProcess = Win32API.new("kernel32", "CreateProcess", params, 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if createProcess.call(0,
command, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, startupInfo, processInfo).zero?

hProcess, hThread, dwProcessId, dwThreadId = processInfo.unpack('LLLL')

close_handle(hProcess)
close_handle(hThread)

[dwProcessId, dwThreadId]
end

def write_file(hFile, buffer)
params = [
'L', # handle to file to write to
'P', # pointer to data to write to file
'L', # number of bytes to write
'P', # pointer to number of bytes written
'L'] # pointer to structure for overlapped I/O

written = [0].pack('I')
writeFile = Win32API.new("kernel32", "WriteFile", params, 'I')

raise_last_win_32_error if writeFile.call(hFile, buffer, buffer.size,
written, 0).zero?

written.unpack('I')[0]
end

def read_file(hFile)
params = [
'L', # handle of file to read
'P', # pointer to buffer that receives data
'L', # number of bytes to read
'P', # pointer to number of bytes read
'L'] #pointer to structure for data

number = [0].pack('I')
buffer = ' ' * 255

readFile = Win32API.new("kernel32", "ReadFile", params, 'I')
return '' if readFile.call(hFile, buffer, 255, number, 0).zero?

buffer[0...number.unpack('I')[0]]
end

def peek_named_pipe(hFile)
params = [
'L', # handle to pipe to copy from
'L', # pointer to data buffer
'L', # size, in bytes, of data buffer
'L', # pointer to number of bytes read
'P', # pointer to total number of bytes available
'L'] # pointer to unread bytes in this message

available = [0].pack('I')
peekNamedPipe = Win32API.new("kernel32", "PeekNamedPipe", params, 'I')

return -1 if peekNamedPipe.Call(hFile, 0, 0, 0, available, 0).zero?

available.unpack('I')[0]
end

class Win32popenIO
def initialize (hRead, hWrite)
@hRead = hRead
@hWrite = hWrite
end

def write data
write_file(@hWrite, data.to_s)
end

def read
sleep(0.01) while peek_named_pipe(@hRead).zero?
read_file(@hRead)
end

def read_all
all = ''
while !(buffer = read).empty?
all << buffer
end
all
end
end

def popen(command)
# create 3 pipes
child_in_r, child_in_w = create_pipe
child_out_r, child_out_w = create_pipe
child_error_r, child_error_w = create_pipe

# Ensure the write handle to the pipe for STDIN is not inherited.
set_handle_information(child_in_w, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_out_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_error_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)

processId, threadId = create_process(ENV['ComSpec'] + ' /C ' +
command, child_in_r, child_out_w, child_error_w)

# we have to close the handles, so the pipes terminate with the process
close_handle(child_in_r)
close_handle(child_out_w)
close_handle(child_error_w)

Win32popenIO.new(child_out_r, child_in_w)
end

if $0 == __FILE__
io = popen('ver')
puts io.read_all

io = popen('cmd')
io.write("ping localhost\nexit\n")

while !(buffer = io.read).empty?
print buffer.gsub("\r", '')
end
end
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

btw: i would love to have all the methods from IO but i realy don't like
to implement them all - there must be another way.

cheers

Simon

 

[x1]

This works like a champ. Thank you again --Fantastic!=20

Robert/Alex/Steve, does this do the trick for you?

Kind regards,
Chris

x1 wrote:
=20

Simon, this worked on my machine also --excellent!

---Question / Request:
I tried stripping out the GUI stuff so that I could implement this
'solution' into my current needs (to no avail)

I would like to use this as a replacement to popen(), could you help
me strip this down into popen() form?

After the read_file method, I tried keeping what appeared to do the
actual work but.. no luck.. any suggestions?

=20
ok, here we go:
---------------------------------------
io =3D popen('ver')
puts io.read_all
---------------------------------------
better?
=20
or:
---------------------------------------
io =3D popen('cmd')
io.write("ping localhost\nexit\n")
=20
while !(buffer =3D io.read).empty?
print buffer
end
---------------------------------------
?
=20
note that read blocks if there is no data to read, but this is done in a
ruby-thread friendly way. So you may put that in a new Thread and your
gui is still responsive (i tried that with the fox gui).
(if you let it block on read_file the whole process blocks)
=20
The same is true for read_all and you can have multiple childs at once.
=20
here is the complete code:
=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
require 'Win32API'
=20
$stdout.sync =3D true
=20
NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS =3D 0x00000020
STARTUP_INFO_SIZE =3D 68
PROCESS_INFO_SIZE =3D 16
SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES_SIZE =3D 12
=20
ERROR_SUCCESS =3D 0x00
FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM =3D 0x1000
FORMAT_MESSAGE_ARGUMENT_ARRAY =3D 0x2000
=20
HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT =3D 1
HANDLE_FLAG_PROTECT_FROM_CLOSE =3D2
=20
STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW =3D 0x00000001
STARTF_USESTDHANDLES =3D 0x00000100
=20
def raise_last_win_32_error
errorCode =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "GetLastError", [], 'L').call
if errorCode !=3D ERROR_SUCCESS
params =3D [
'L', # IN DWORD dwFlags,
'P', # IN LPCVOID lpSource,
'L', # IN DWORD dwMessageId,
'L', # IN DWORD dwLanguageId,
'P', # OUT LPSTR lpBuffer,
'L', # IN DWORD nSize,
'P', # IN va_list *Arguments
]
=20
formatMessage =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "FormatMessage", params, = 'L')
msg =3D ' ' * 255
msgLength =3D formatMessage.call(FORMAT_MESSAGE_FROM_SYSTEM +
FORMAT_MESSAGE_ARGUMENT_ARRAY, '', errorCode, 0, msg, 255, '')
=20
msg.gsub!(/\000/, '')
msg.strip!
raise msg
else
raise 'GetLastError returned ERROR_SUCCESS'
end
end
=20
def create_pipe # returns read and write handle
params =3D [
'P', # pointer to read handle
'P', # pointer to write handle
'P', # pointer to security attributes
'L'] # pipe size
=20
createPipe =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "CreatePipe", params, 'I')
=20
read_handle, write_handle =3D [0].pack('I'), [0].pack('I')
sec_attrs =3D [SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES_SIZE, 0, 1].pack('III')
=20
raise_last_win_32_error if createPipe.Call(read_handle,
write_handle, sec_attrs, 0).zero?
=20
[read_handle.unpack('I')[0], write_handle.unpack('I')[0]]
end
=20
def set_handle_information(handle, flags, value)
params =3D [
'L', # handle to an object
'L', # specifies flags to change
'L'] # specifies new values for flags
=20
setHandleInformation =3D Win32API.new("kernel32",
"SetHandleInformation", params, 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if setHandleInformation.Call(handle,
flags, value).zero?
nil
end
=20
def close_handle(handle)
closeHandle =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "CloseHandle", ['L'], 'I')
raise_last_win_32_error if closeHandle.call(handle).zero?
end
=20
def create_process(command, stdin, stdout, stderror)
params =3D [
'L', # IN LPCSTR lpApplicationName
'P', # IN LPSTR lpCommandLine
'L', # IN LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpProcessAttributes
'L', # IN LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES lpThreadAttributes
'L', # IN BOOL bInheritHandles
'L', # IN DWORD dwCreationFlags
'L', # IN LPVOID lpEnvironment
'L', # IN LPCSTR lpCurrentDirectory
'P', # IN LPSTARTUPINFOA lpStartupInfo
'P'] # OUT LPPROCESS_INFORMATION lpProcessInformation
=20
startupInfo =3D [STARTUP_INFO_SIZE, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
STARTF_USESTDHANDLES | STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW, 0,
0, 0, stdin, stdout, stderror].pack('IIIIIIIIIIIISSIIII')
=20
processInfo =3D [0, 0, 0, 0].pack('IIII')
command << 0
=20
createProcess =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "CreateProcess", params, 'I= ')
raise_last_win_32_error if createProcess.call(0,
command, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, startupInfo, processInfo).zero?
=20
hProcess, hThread, dwProcessId, dwThreadId =3D processInfo.unpack('LLL= L')
=20
close_handle(hProcess)
close_handle(hThread)
=20
[dwProcessId, dwThreadId]
end
=20
def write_file(hFile, buffer)
params =3D [
'L', # handle to file to write to
'P', # pointer to data to write to file
'L', # number of bytes to write
'P', # pointer to number of bytes written
'L'] # pointer to structure for overlapped I/O
=20
written =3D [0].pack('I')
writeFile =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "WriteFile", params, 'I')
=20
raise_last_win_32_error if writeFile.call(hFile, buffer, buffer.size,
written, 0).zero?
=20
written.unpack('I')[0]
end
=20
def read_file(hFile)
params =3D [
'L', # handle of file to read
'P', # pointer to buffer that receives data
'L', # number of bytes to read
'P', # pointer to number of bytes read
'L'] #pointer to structure for data
=20
number =3D [0].pack('I')
buffer =3D ' ' * 255
=20
readFile =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "ReadFile", params, 'I')
return '' if readFile.call(hFile, buffer, 255, number, 0).zero?
=20
buffer[0...number.unpack('I')[0]]
end
=20
def peek_named_pipe(hFile)
params =3D [
'L', # handle to pipe to copy from
'L', # pointer to data buffer
'L', # size, in bytes, of data buffer
'L', # pointer to number of bytes read
'P', # pointer to total number of bytes available
'L'] # pointer to unread bytes in this message
=20
available =3D [0].pack('I')
peekNamedPipe =3D Win32API.new("kernel32", "PeekNamedPipe", params, 'I= ')
=20
return -1 if peekNamedPipe.Call(hFile, 0, 0, 0, available, 0).zero?
=20
available.unpack('I')[0]
end
=20
class Win32popenIO
def initialize (hRead, hWrite)
@hRead =3D hRead
@hWrite =3D hWrite
end
=20
def write data
write_file(@hWrite, data.to_s)
end
=20
def read
sleep(0.01) while peek_named_pipe(@hRead).zero?
read_file(@hRead)
end
=20
def read_all
all =3D ''
while !(buffer =3D read).empty?
all << buffer
end
all
end
end
=20
def popen(command)
# create 3 pipes
child_in_r, child_in_w =3D create_pipe
child_out_r, child_out_w =3D create_pipe
child_error_r, child_error_w =3D create_pipe
=20
# Ensure the write handle to the pipe for STDIN is not inherited.
set_handle_information(child_in_w, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_out_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
set_handle_information(child_error_r, HANDLE_FLAG_INHERIT, 0)
=20
processId, threadId =3D create_process(ENV['ComSpec'] + ' /C ' +
command, child_in_r, child_out_w, child_error_w)
=20
# we have to close the handles, so the pipes terminate with the proces= s
close_handle(child_in_r)
close_handle(child_out_w)
close_handle(child_error_w)
=20
Win32popenIO.new(child_out_r, child_in_w)
end
=20
if $0 =3D=3D __FILE__
io =3D popen('ver')
puts io.read_all
=20
io =3D popen('cmd')
io.write("ping localhost\nexit\n")
=20
while !(buffer =3D io.read).empty?
print buffer.gsub("\r", '')
end
end
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
=20
btw: i would love to have all the methods from IO but i realy don't like
to implement them all - there must be another way.
=20
cheers
=20
Simon
=20