D3 and mvBase

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 MVBase File pointer to a directory and shelling out

Troy Dittberner's profile image
Troy Dittberner posted 04-09-2025 16:42

I inherited an old MVBase system running on windows.  I tried SH and CMD and cannot shell out.  Is this possible?  Also, I would like to make a file pointer to a directory in windows.  Is this possible?  I found that I can use a UOPEN to open an os file and write to a file.

Mike Young's profile image
Mike Young

Yes, at TCL you can shell out by doing the ! (exclamation mark).  All depends on what your endgame is to how to advise which is best for you to use

Don't have access to an mvBase system;

at TCL:

!

{dos prompt?} DIR (etc)

in a program:

DATA "DIR /A","EXIT"

EXECUTE "!"

Richard Olds's profile image
Richard Olds

As far as I am aware, there is no way in mvBase of setting up a system QP to a Windows directory or file.

Merry Player's profile image
Merry Player

Hi there,

   Same as Mike said, and you can do more-or-less anything with any Windows file, folder, etc., except delete.

Having said that, the access is always within the Windows system. It's time to read the mvBase manual (yes, it's all on rocket's site). 

Access must be allowed for the particular folder(s) you are accessing. Otherwise you get nowhere.

Many of us have spent far too many years writing to windows folders. Sadly creating csv files for export of multivalue databases to other systems.

I, amongst many others have written XL files, and opened XL to open the file, and print the results to pdf files or a nominated printer. Easy to do. Follow the manuals.

Also, a few years ago I used to write html items to specified folder showing instant updates to the user to show them that the data was instantly updated. In reality, it was the mvBase system that was instantly updated, and the html was a show for user confidence.

Usual write-around to 'delete' windows files is to overwrite (Read, IF/THEN Write or Write(O) with a single attribute/line of text e.g. "This item/file is empty :-)".

Have Fun with your incredible mvBase system - it is a remarkable soft/firmware product.

Merry

Merry Player's profile image
Merry Player

P.S.

there should be a DEMO account for most of these commands, TCL, DATABASIC, and even PROC, and so on. enjoy that one.