: (OS Command Prefix)

: (Shell Run)

: <text>

Function

Run an external program or process.

Parameters

<text>

The text of a command to be executed by the operating system.

Examples

:eagle.exe -cmd='mymacro' [ specific executable]
:diff build.cmd build.bak > build.dif [ UNIX ]

:cmd dir > dir.dat [ Windows NT/2000/XP/2003]

:command.com dir > dir.dat [ Windows 98]

Notes

For obvious reasons, this facility cannot be fully available at all installations. The flexibility of this command is largely dependent on the flexibility of the operating system command structure underneath the Eagle process.

As no error codes will be returned if the external process fails you are advised to familiarize yourself fully with the OS capabilities of your system. Failure of the process to operate correctly does not effect Eagle. Try to execute the command in a separate shell independent from Eagle before assuming an error. Experience shows that earlier versions of Windows are less forgiving than either UNIX or Windows NT based versions (NT/2000/XP/2003). Earlier Windows releases should be used with caution, whilst the command may work, if errors in syntax are present unpredictable results can occur effecting all threads on the system. For example, if you use the Windows NT command to open a command window 'start cmd' in other versions of Windows this can result in a keyboard lock on some systems.

Update 12.5.1 EagleEye If you need to start another Eagle session and run a specific macro from within EagleEye using the : command then a specific -cmd='filename' primer is available.

The : command returns control to Eagle when the activated process finishes. If you want the control to returned immediately to Eagle then add an & at the end of the command text on UNIX :xterm -fn 9x15bold & or proceed the command text with start on Windows :start cmd.

Examples

:xterm -fn 9x15bold & |UNIX - ‘open a xterm’

:start cmd |Windows NT/2000/XP ‘open a command window’

:command.com |Windows 98/Me ‘open a DOS command window’