Passing arguments to an executable using a batch file/command line

Question

So there is a program someone wrote (that I don't have access to) that was written in C#, in which when I open it, it brings up a command prompt, asks several questions, and then returns an output.

What I want to do it write a batch file to automate entering all the arguments manually but nothing has really worked for me thus far. I tried "program.exe arg1 arg2.." in the command prompt and reading about the windows commands (I checked out ss64) but nothing seems to work.

So to summarize what happens is:

1) I open the program (a .exe file) in the command prompt (or click on it) where it asks me to enter a value or filename https://i.sstatic.net/bZsSi.png

2) I press enter to continue to the next question and the command asks me to answer another question (unless I finished the last one, in which case the program finishes executing and then closes). https://i.sstatic.net/nqJ5M.png

Now, how would I go about making a batch file that enters SWAIN.dat, n, 1000, etc... automatically into this program? Again, I don't have access to the original program. i only know it was written in C#.

Thank you very much.

Here is an example of the "program.exe arg1 arg2.." approach i.sstatic.net/RsHWV.png — GeoBaez
– GeoBaez, Commented Jan 28, 2014 at 23:17
The program clearly doesn't take arguments, and is just ignoring anything you parse to it. You could write a VB script and use send keys - take a look at this. — unclemeat
– unclemeat, Commented Jan 28, 2014 at 23:32
Try program.exe < data.txt where data.txt is a file containing your answers. — Harry Johnston
– Harry Johnston, Commented Jan 29, 2014 at 0:03

unclemeat · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-28 23:35:05Z

2

You could create a VB script -

set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") 
WshShell.Run "cmd" 
WScript.Sleep 100 
WshShell.AppActivate "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe" 
WScript.Sleep 100 
WshShell.SendKeys "program.exe{ENTER}" 
WScript.Sleep 100 
WshShell.SendKeys "SWAIN.dat{ENTER}" 
WScript.Sleep 100
WshShell.SendKeys "1000{ENTER}"

etc...

answered Jan 28, 2014 at 23:35

unclemeat

5,2075 gold badges32 silver badges55 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Aacini · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-29 00:46:15Z

2

You may try this:

(
echo SWAIN.dat
echo n
echo 1000
echo etc...
) | program.exe

answered Jan 29, 2014 at 0:46

Aacini

67.7k12 gold badges74 silver badges114 bronze badges

1 Comment

GeoBaez Over a year ago

Program cannot start or run due to being incompatible with 64 bit Windows (which is weird because it runs well when I enter everything manually). I'll try it on another machine see how it goes.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Passing arguments to an executable using a batch file/command line

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related