Sherry,

I have not worked with DDE in VB, but a few years ago in VFP. What I remember, however, is that before I could issue a command through the DDE channel, I had to initiate it. (DDEInitiate in Fox.) The commands were then passed and then I had to close the channel. Make sure that you are correctly opening the channel, and that you trap errors. Since there is no way to know for sure if the application is open, make sure that you trap any error that comes through the DDE. Then if the DDE fails with the error that the service provider is not available, then execute the shell command.


I hope this helps.
Ben Keene
icarz.com



>hello,
> Could anyone help me with this problem:I am working on a small project that I need to make open an application from vb program. I got the command from the manufacturer. If the program detects the application is currently running, I should use the command:"frmtest!txtsv1.linkexecute testfile" to send the file the application. Otherwise, use this command "t=shell(c:\swiftview\sview.exe testfile" to open the application and the file I want to view. the second comand works fine but the first does not work. I am getting an error "DDE METHOD INVOKED WITH NO CHANNEL OPEN. Any idea why? I don't have the form from the app's manufacturer. thanks
>sherry