Program Folders and Program Paths - Introduction

 

When you export data from Global when running under the Global Windows Workstation GUI, you can optionally specify a Windows program to be automatically invoked when the export finishes. Similarly, when running GSM on a Unix platform, you can optionally specify a Unix program to be automatically invoked when the export finishes.

Example

You can automatically invoke a Windows spreadsheet program after exporting data to it.

Program folders

You control the program to be invoked after the export by specifying a program folder for the scenario on which the export is based.

 

Program folders group path information for the programs you invoke. You create them through the Maintain Program Folders option. You enter the actual program paths and file names through the Maintain Program Paths option.

 

You should set up at least one program folder for each program you want to invoke in the host system after an export.

 

There are two types of program folders:

§   Fixed path. For this type of program folder, only one program path can be specified. This path is used when any operator invokes a program via the program folder. Use this type when the program resides on a central server; for example a third party EDI application.

 

§   Personalised. For this type of program folder, you can set up a separate program path for each operator who might invoke the program. Use this type when the program to be invoked resides on operators' PCs; for example word processing or spreadsheet packages.

 

If several operators use the same file organisation, you can set up a program path with a blank operator id; for example when most operators on a network have Microsoft Word installed on their PCs in the default folders created by the Microsoft Office installation procedure.

Program paths

Program paths hold the program path and file name information for the program folders. Program paths also specify whether the program is to be run on the desktop or the server.

 

You need to set up one program path for each fixed path program folder. These program paths can be used by all operators.

 

For each personalised program folder, you can set up a program path for each operator who wants to invoke the program. Alternatively, operators who have the folders on their PC organised in a standard way can share a program path with a blank operator id.

Export

When an operator uses one of the export data options, the export program searches the program folder specified on the scenario controlling the export for the appropriate program path.

 

If the program folder is personalised, the export program first searches for a program path containing the operator's id. If this does not exist, the program then searches for a program path with a blank operator id. If neither exist, the program displays an error message.

 

If a fixed path program folder has been specified on the scenario, the single multi-purpose program path is used. If there is no program path for the program folder, an error message is displayed.

Parameters

You can specify parameters and template details to pass to the program in the Maintain Scenario Window.

Example

When invoking a spreadsheet program, you can enter the name of the exported file and a macro as parameters. The spreadsheet program then automatically loads the exported file and runs the macro on it.

More:

Maintain Program Folders Window

Maintain Program Paths Window