Starting a program from a website

[VK]

Hi there,
I'd like to start a program from a html-page. The programs (like for example
Outlook 2003) are on the same computer as the html-page.
So it's only for use on a local computer. The program is on C:\Program
Files, but what is the syntax i have to put in the hyperlink <a href="????">
And is it possible at all?

Yes, within the spelled conditions it is perfectly possible for
mainstream browsers.

<http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.javascript/msg/9f1953d6e73c6821>

 

[Jonathan N. Little]

Yes, within the spelled conditions it is perfectly possible for
mainstream browsers.

<http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.javascript/msg/9f1953d6e73c6821>

No it won't. Not in modern Gecko... Have you tried it?

Anyway it is a bad, bad, very bad idea...

 

[Leif K-Brooks]

If i want to drive in my car I start the engine but the motor RUNS the car.
See the difference?

If we were talking about cars, you might be right. But we aren't.

 

[Travis Newbury]

I don't believe it does.

I believe an activeX control can be written to access other executables.

 

[VK]

Yes, within the spelled conditions it is perfectly possible for

No it won't. Not in modern Gecko... Have you tried it?

If course I did: this script is destributed for over one year by now.
But obviously you didn't try it: instead you're just making a blind
assumption "it cannot be because it never can be".

Anyway it is a bad, bad, very bad idea...

Can you PLEASE finally read the OP's request AND the script comments?

It does *not* work (will be blocked by security manager) withing the
default security environment. If you come to some http://www.foo.bar it
will not work (unless your UA is badly borken).

If you open the page from the local drive it does work (you are in the
relaxed security environment).

If you sign the script with a valid certificate it does work (if Yes on
prompt) from any server.

If you add http://www.foo.bar into trusted site list, it does work as
well.

P.S. Before talking about Internet security matters it is a very good
idea to learn these matters first - IMO.

 

[Ed Seedhouse]

I believe an activeX control can be written to access other executables.

I doubt it, but if it is so it's another reason I avoid IE, and FF is
still gaining market share last I heard,

Ed

 

[Ed Mullen]

That's not the same thing at all. That's using the mime type of a
downloaded file to request the o/s to load the file into it's default
program for that mime type.

Huh? There is no "default program" to load a .exe file into. It is run
by the O/S. Did you actually try it at the link I provided and observe
what happens? MIME type has nothing to do with it. IE is looking at
the file extension which is how it is able to correctly handle files
with incorrectly served MIME types.

But it's not going to let you run any program not associated with files
that have a mime-type, such as, say "format.com".

Unless I'm not understanding you, you're wrong. Try it.

<http://edmullen.net/test/format.com>

No, it's not the format program, it's the same harmless file from my

And normally the browser
will also ask him if he wants to run or download the file.

Yep, that's what I said.

The OP wanted to run any executable file directly and with no
intermediary control method

Hmm, don't see that in the original post, nor do I know what you intend
by that comment.

right from the web browser with a link.

I understand what the OP wants and I'm telling you it works here just
fine in IE6. Even IE7 will still run it locally although it doesn't
seem to run the following from an online Web page.

<a href="file:///G:/Program Files/Microsoft

That
would allow any web page, anywhere, to delete all the files from your
computer hard drive and no browser that I am aware of will do that,
thank goodness! Even Microsoft isn't that stupid.

First of all, if the file is served online with the wrong MIME type IE
will still figure out that it is, for instance, a .exe file from its
file extension. It does then execute it (with prompts as I said).

If the net effect is that IE allows clicking on a link to an executable
in a Web page (local or online) and having that executable run locally,
that to me is "running". Click a link, I get asked if I want to run the
file, the file runs within my system using my O/S. Can't imagine any
other definition.

--
Ed Mullen
http://edmullen.net
http://mozilla.edmullen.net
http://abington.edmullen.net
Still, there is a calm, pure harmony, and music inside of me. - Vincent
Van Gogh

 

[Travis Newbury]

I doubt it, but if it is so it's another reason I avoid IE, and FF is
still gaining market share last I heard,

No I am positive I have done that in the past. But, I agree about FF.
I use it unless there is a specific need to use IE.

 

[Jonathan N. Little]

It does *not* work (will be blocked by security manager) withing the
default security environment. If you come to some http://www.foo.bar it
will not work (unless your UA is badly borken).

If you open the page from the local drive it does work (you are in the
relaxed security environment).

No, it did not work for a local drive in Gecko. Tried it. Works in IE,
but not SeaMonkey 1.0.6, nor Firefox 2.0, nor even Opera 8.51
"localhost: [Shell] script object not supported on this platform"

 

[VK]

No, it did not work for a local drive in Gecko. Tried it. Works in IE,
but not SeaMonkey 1.0.6, nor Firefox 2.0

That means either of two things:

1) You did not read Note #3 at
<http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.javascript/msg/9f1953d6e73c6821>
so used the source corrupted by Google Groups. Either edit the code
manually after copy-and-past or take the verbatim copy from
<http://www.geocities.com/schools_ring/al.zip> (this is the updated
version btw supporting launch parameters: cross-browsers as well).

2) If it still doesn't work for your Gecko browsers (including Firefox
2.0) then your current installation of them is broken: I would suggest
reinstalling then as a broken installations can be vulnerable to
security exploits.

nor even Opera 8.51

Opera is not a Gecko-based browser: its security model requires a
further script adjustment which I did not bother to do so far as it was
not monetary interesting.

P.S. "no Opera support" is clearly stated in the script comments. That
makes me question again if you really got a single look at the script
or are you just blindly dispropagating it out of your very own ideas of
the "good of community" ?

 

[joecool2000]

Ok, one more time....
If i want to drive in my car I start the engine but the motor RUNS the car.
See the difference?

I can see the difference between an idiot, and someone who knows what
they're talking about!

joecool

 

[Travis Newbury]

Ok, one more time....
If i want to drive in my car I start the engine but the motor RUNS the car.
See the difference?
All i wanted was an answer to the question if there is or isn't a way to
make a hyperlink which starts an application just like a desktop-icon does.
Get it now?

Yes, we all get it.