Associating files

Question

daniwaber 0 Light Poster

12 Years Ago

Hi everyone,
Can you tell me a way to get the file path (filename) of a file when I "open with" it with my program. I mean that if I open a certain file with my software, I should get the file path of the file. Please Help:)

visual-basic-6

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Latest Post 12 Years Ago Latest Post by daniwaber

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SpiritualMadMan 39 Junior Poster in Training

12 Years Ago

What method are you using to "Open" the file in Question?

I have a Form I copy into my project space when I want to access files...

Copy the code below into a text file and then rename it FN.frm

Because the FN form can be thought of as a separate Class or Object anything on the form can be accessed using FN. until the form is unloaded.

Let me know if it helps. :)

VERSION 5.00
Begin VB.Form FN 
   AutoRedraw      =   -1  'True
   Caption         =   "Select Files"
   ClientHeight    =   7950
   ClientLeft      =   60
   ClientTop       =   345
   ClientWidth     =   4365
   Icon            =   "FN.frx":0000
   LinkTopic       =   "Form2"
   MaxButton       =   0   'False
   MinButton       =   0   'False
   ScaleHeight     =   7950
   ScaleWidth      =   4365
   StartUpPosition =   2  'CenterScreen
   Begin VB.TextBox txtNewFile 
      Height          =   435
      Left            =   105
      TabIndex        =   8
      Text            =   "Text1"
      Top             =   3570
      Width           =   4110
   End
   Begin VB.ComboBox cmboExts 
      Height          =   315
      Left            =   2205
      TabIndex        =   5
      Text            =   "Combo1"
      Top             =   3000
      Width           =   1995
   End
   Begin VB.FileListBox File1 
      Height          =   2820
      Left            =   2200
      TabIndex        =   2
      Top             =   90
      Width           =   2000
   End
   Begin VB.DirListBox Dir1 
      Height          =   2790
      Left            =   120
      TabIndex        =   1
      Top             =   100
      Width           =   2000
   End
   Begin VB.DriveListBox Drive1 
      Height          =   315
      Left            =   100
      TabIndex        =   0
      Top             =   2940
      Width           =   2000
   End
   Begin VB.Label Mode 
      AutoSize        =   -1  'True
      Caption         =   "0"
      Height          =   195
      Left            =   1050
      TabIndex        =   9
      Top             =   6720
      Visible         =   0   'False
      Width           =   90
   End
   Begin VB.Label FileName 
      AutoSize        =   -1  'True
      Height          =   195
      Left            =   105
      TabIndex        =   7
      Top             =   6015
      Width           =   45
   End
   Begin VB.Label DelimChar 
      AutoSize        =   -1  'True
      Height          =   195
      Left            =   100
      TabIndex        =   6
      Top             =   5580
      Width           =   45
   End
   Begin VB.Label lblSizeIt 
      AutoSize        =   -1  'True
      Height          =   195
      Left            =   105
      TabIndex        =   4
      Top             =   6435
      Width           =   45
   End
   Begin VB.Label Mask 
      AutoSize        =   -1  'True
      Height          =   195
      Left            =   105
      TabIndex        =   3
      Top             =   6870
      Width           =   45
   End
End
Attribute VB_Name = "FN"
Attribute VB_GlobalNameSpace = False
Attribute VB_Creatable = False
Attribute VB_PredeclaredId = True
Attribute VB_Exposed = False
' Must be used Modal
' On Entry the Drive1 and Dir1 will return a correct value. But, the File1 will be empty
' This will require a check to see if File1 is empty or zero length
' On exit:
' if File1 was double-clicked to select a filename File1 will hold that filename.
' if exit was due to using the Close "X" then File1 is indeterminate and may be empty.
' Dir1 will include current Drive and Path WITHOUT a trailing "\"
Option Explicit

Private Sub cmboexts_Change()
    'If Not Me.Visible Then Exit Sub
    FN.File1.Pattern = "*" & Me.cmboExts.Text
    FN.File1.Refresh
End Sub

Private Sub Dir1_Change()
    FN.File1.Path = FN.Dir1.Path
End Sub

Private Sub Dir1_Click()
    FN.File1.Path = FN.Dir1.Path
End Sub

Private Sub Drive1_Change()
    On Error GoTo usrerror
    FN.Dir1.Path = FN.Drive1.Drive
    FN.File1.Path = FN.Dir1.Path
    On Error GoTo 0
    Exit Sub
usrerror:
    Dim UsrMsg As String
    Dim PigeonHole As String
    Select Case Err.Number
        Case 68     'Device Unavailable - Ignore
        
        Case Else
            UsrMsg = "Error: " & Err.Number & "   " & Err.Description
    
    End Select
    PigeonHole = MsgBox(UsrMsg, vbOKOnly, "Error!")
    Resume Next
End Sub

Private Sub File1_DblClick()
    Me.FileName = Me.File1
'    Debug.Print "Double-Clicked"
'    Debug.Print "Drive: " & Me.Drive1
'    Debug.Print "Directory: " & Me.Dir1
'    Debug.Print "File: " & Me.FileName
'    Debug.Print " "
    Me.Hide
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Activate()
    Dim xStr As String
    Dim n As Long
    
    File1.Pattern = FN.cmboExts.Text
    
    FN.Dir1.Refresh
    FN.File1.Refresh
    Call Form_Resize
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()
    Me.cmboExts = "*.*"
End Sub

Private Sub Form_QueryUnload(Cancel As Integer, UnloadMode As Integer)
'    Debug.Print "Query Unload"
'    Debug.Print "Drive: " & Me.Drive1
'    Debug.Print "Directory: " & Me.Dir1
'    Debug.Print "File: " & Me.FileName
'    Debug.Print " "
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Resize()
    If Me.Width < 5000 Then Me.Width = 5000
    If Me.Height < 4000 Then Me.Height = 4000
    
    Me.Dir1.Top = 100
    Me.File1.Top = 100
    
    Me.Dir1.Width = (Me.Width - 400) / 2
    Me.File1.Width = Me.Dir1.Width
    Me.Dir1.Left = 100
    Me.File1.Left = Me.Dir1.Width + 200
    If FN.Mode = "1" Then       'New File Mode
        FN.txtNewFile.Visible = True
        Me.Dir1.Height = Me.Height - 1400
    Else                        'Open File Mode
        FN.txtNewFile.Visible = False
        Me.Dir1.Height = Me.Height - 800
    End If
    Me.File1.Height = Me.Dir1.Height
    Me.Drive1.Top = Me.Dir1.Height + Me.Dir1.Top + 50
    Me.Drive1.Width = Me.Dir1.Width
    
    Me.cmboExts.Left = Me.File1.Left
    Me.cmboExts.Top = Me.Drive1.Top
    Me.cmboExts.Width = Me.File1.Width
    
    Me.txtNewFile.Top = Me.Drive1.Top + 400
    Me.txtNewFile.Left = 100
End Sub

Private Sub txtNewFile_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    Dim tStr As String
    
    If KeyAscii = 13 Then
        StartAt = 1
        'RetStr = Right(Me.cmboExts, 3)
        RetStr = "."
        uIn = Me.txtNewFile
        tStr = Scan_To

        If RetStr = "Not Found" Then
            FN.FileName = txtNewFile & "." & Right(Me.cmboExts, 3)
        Else
            If UCase(Right(Me.txtNewFile, 3)) <> UCase(Right(Me.cmboExts, 3)) Then
                FN.FileName = Left(txtNewFile, StoppedAt) & Right(Me.cmboExts, 3)
            End If
        End If
        Me.Hide
    End If

End Sub

hkdani 39 Posting Pro in Training

12 Years Ago

You can use a Common Dialog Control. Add the Microsoft Common Dialog Control component to your project.

This control will return a Path to a file. Or you can use API's to do same. Little bit more flexibility.

But really. What you're requesting is not very clear at all. And I'm able to make little sense of what you really want.

If you have already opened the program, you should already know the path. Until you explain clearly what you really want to do no one can really explain to you how to do what you wish.

Here's an example of using the CommonDialog API's to return a Path.

Option Explicit
Private Const BIF_RETURNONLYFSDIRS = &H1      ' // For finding a folder to start document searching
Private Const BIF_DONTGOBELOWDOMAIN = &H2     ' // For starting the Find Computer
Private Const BIF_STATUSTEXT = &H4
Private Const BIF_RETURNFSANCESTORS = &H8
Private Const BIF_EDITBOX = &H10
Private Const BIF_VALIDATE = &H20              ' // insist on valid result (or CANCEL)

Private Const BIF_BROWSEFORCOMPUTER = &H1000  ' // Browsing for Computers.
Private Const BIF_BROWSEFORPRINTER = &H2000   ' // Browsing for Printers
Private Const BIF_BROWSEINCLUDEFILES = &H4000 ' // Browsing for Everything

Private Const OFN_READONLY = &H1
Private Const OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT = &H2
Private Const OFN_HIDEREADONLY = &H4
Private Const OFN_NOCHANGEDIR = &H8
Private Const OFN_SHOWHELP = &H10
Private Const OFN_ENABLEHOOK = &H20
Private Const OFN_ENABLETEMPLATE = &H40
Private Const OFN_ENABLETEMPLATEHANDLE = &H80
Private Const OFN_NOVALIDATE = &H100
Private Const OFN_ALLOWMULTISELECT = &H200
Private Const OFN_EXTENSIONDIFFERENT = &H400
Private Const OFN_PATHMUSTEXIST = &H800
Private Const OFN_FILEMUSTEXIST = &H1000
Private Const OFN_CREATEPROMPT = &H2000
Private Const OFN_SHAREAWARE = &H4000
Private Const OFN_NOREADONLYRETURN = &H8000
Private Const OFN_NOTESTFILECREATE = &H10000
Private Const OFN_NONETWORKBUTTON = &H20000
Private Const OFN_NOLONGNAMES = &H40000                    ' // force no long names for 4.x modules
' #if(WINVER >= 0x0400)
Private Const OFN_EXPLORER = &H80000                       ' // new look commdlg
Private Const OFN_NODEREFERENCELINKS = &H100000
Private Const OFN_LONGNAMES = &H200000                     ' // force long names for 3.x modules
Private Const OFN_ENABLEINCLUDENOTIFY = &H400000           ' // send include message to callback
Private Const OFN_ENABLESIZING = &H800000

Private Type SHITEMID
    cb As Long
    abID(1) As Long
End Type

Private Type OPENFILENAME
        lStructSize As Long
        hwndOwner As Long
        hInstance As Long
        lpstrFilter As String
        lpstrCustomFilter As String
        nMaxCustFilter As Long
        nFilterIndex As Long
        lpstrFile As String
        nMaxFile As Long
        lpstrFileTitle As String
        nMaxFileTitle As Long
        lpstrInitialDir As String
        lpstrTitle As String
        flags As Long
        nFileOffset As Integer
        nFileExtension As Integer
        lpstrDefExt As String
        lCustData As Long
        lpfnHook As Long
        lpTemplateName As String
End Type

Private Type ITEMIDLIST
    mkid As SHITEMID
End Type

Private Declare Function GetOpenFileName Lib "comdlg32" Alias "GetOpenFileNameA" (lpofn As OPENFILENAME) As Long
Private Declare Function GetSaveFileName Lib "comdlg32" Alias "GetSaveFileNameA" (lpofn As OPENFILENAME) As Long

Private Type BROWSEINFO
    hwndOwner As Long
    pidlRoot As ITEMIDLIST
    pszDisplayName As String
    lpszTitle As String
    ulFlags As Long
    lpfn As Long
    lParam As Long
    iImage As Long
End Type


Private shl As Shell

Private Sub Command1_Click()
    On Error GoTo Path_ERR
    Set shl = New Shell
    Dim strPathReturned As String
    Dim fFileSearch As Boolean
    Dim strBuffer As String * 255
    Dim ofn As OPENFILENAME
    With ofn
        .flags = OFN_EXPLORER
        .hwndOwner = Me.hWnd
        .hInstance = 0
        .lpstrInitialDir = shl.NameSpace(ssfDRIVES).Items.Item.Path
        .lStructSize = Len(ofn)
        .lpstrFile = String(255, Chr$(0))
        .nMaxFileTitle = 255
        .lpstrFileTitle = strBuffer
        .nMaxFile = 256
    End With
    fFileSearch = CBool(GetOpenFileName(ofn))
    strPathReturned = ofn.lpstrFile
    strPathReturned = Left(strPathReturned, InStr(1, strPathReturned, Chr$(0), vbTextCompare) - 1)
    Debug.Print strPathReturned
    Exit Sub
Path_ERR:
    Debug.Print Err.Description, Err.Number
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()
    Set shl = New Shell
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Unload(Cancel As Integer)
    Set shl = Nothing
End Sub

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daniwaber 0 Light Poster · Answer 1 · 2011-09-04T19:03:48+00:00

I actually mean that I open "My Computer" and right click a file, the click "Open With" and select my program. Then my program should get the file's path.

SpiritualMadMan 39 Junior Poster in Training · Answer 2 · 2011-09-07T17:12:17+00:00

Another thought...

When I expect more than one file to be opened. For instance I have a Test Procedure File (.prc) and an INI file I will put all the handler routines in a module an (shudder) use Global variables (if needed, due to Multiple Forms and Multiple Module Sturcture) for the Filenames and File Handles.

If a File Handle equals zero then the file hasn't been opened.

I use the same FN form and take the FN.Filename and FN.Dir to assisn the Path and Filename to the variable and when I open the file I first get INI_NUM = Freefile and use that handle throughout the project to access the file.

daniwaber 0 Light Poster · Answer 3 · 2011-09-11T19:58:39+00:00

I am actually making a notepad-like program. So I need to open the txt files in it like we normally open the files by double clicking it in My Computer. Any Suggestions?

Drycola 10 Junior Poster in Training · Answer 4 · 2011-09-12T04:10:58+00:00

It had been a long time since I used VB6. But I remember I did such a thing long time ago.
I think you can use the variable "Command" to get the file name.

Dim Filename As String
Filename = Command
Open Filename For Binary Access Read As #1 'or use your Open code instead ;)

SpiritualMadMan 39 Junior Poster in Training · Answer 5 · 2011-09-12T19:11:18+00:00

I actually mean that I open "My Computer" and right click a file, the click "Open With" and select my program. Then my program should get the file's path.

That would be SomeVarName = App.Path

This gives you the Path where your Application is at...

Specific FileNames would be SomeVarName = App.Path & "\" & YourAppsFileName

daniwaber 0 Light Poster · Answer 6 · 2011-09-24T17:10:47+00:00

It had been a long time since I used VB6. But I remember I did such a thing long time ago.
I think you can use the variable "Command" to get the file name.
Dim Filename As String
Filename = Command
Open Filename For Binary Access Read As #1 'or use your Open code instead ;)

Thanks, it solved my problem:)

Associating files

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