automatic execution of external program

Hi to everybody! I need to execute an external program (like a.exe) via matlab. Specifically, I need to change the folder in a cmd.exe window, execute the program a.exe and do the following input (these are do via successfully iteration and not via command line when the program is launched): - a number (return command); - the input file path (return command); - the input file (return command). I need to do this automatically because I need to execute the program hundred or thousand times with different inputs. Furthermore, I need to transfer the information produced in the cmd window in matlab command window because, in the case of some errors occurs, the program prints this in the cmd window.

If I don't do this, how I can do it via an external file, like .bat file?

thanks to everybody

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

See attached demo (which launches Photoshop) that you can modify as needed.

[simone battistutta]

thanks, but in my cases it doesn't work

[Image Analyst]

"doesn't work" is SO descriptive. ;-)

Do you want any more help?

OK, how about your MATLAB program writes the data out to a .mat file? Then instead of getting the return value from the command line in subsequent runs, you simply read it from a .mat file.

[simone battistutta]

the program produces 50 text files for each call; in the next days I will talk about the problem with those who produced the executable (has source files) in order to improve their integration in matlab

[Image Analyst]

Why can't your program just read in the text file(s) that are created? That should work.

Answer 2

[Geoff Hayes]

Simone - consider using the system or dos functions to execute the external program. You may be able to use the cmdout output parameter from either to capture the information produced in the cmd window.

[Geoff Hayes]

Simone's answer moved here

thanks for the quickly answer, but this don't solve my problem also with option '-echo' because it needs always the user interaction for the input and I need something of automatic.

[Geoff Hayes]

Simone - you may have to describe in more detail what you are attempting to do with respect to the user interaction.

[simone battistutta]

ok, first of all I need to launch the program and view the output parameters: in this case, system function with cmdout is the best; now, the program asks me a number and wait for the return command; then, the input file path with return command and the input file name, return command. All these request are made in successive line and I can't pass it as parameters when I call the program. Since this program will be launch hundred or thousand of times during a simulation, I need something of automatic that catch the informations from a .m file and launch the program in an iterative way because I can't ask to the user to insert the information all of time. I hope to be clearly.

[Geoff Hayes]

Simone - please given an example of how the program asks me a number and wait for the return command. How will you know that the program is asking (and so waiting) for a response>