How to retrieve data from a command line application

Folder from Command

How to define folder Data Command settings

With the Data Command dialog you can define settings for retrieving information from a command line application. Custom search forms for input can also be enabled by including custom syntax within the Command statement. To access the Data Command dialog create a new folder with Data Command toggled on for the Folder Type. Then select Data Command from the Folder Popup context menu. Data Command connections are only available with the Elite version of this application.

2) The Command Statement tab is where you will enter the command to executre for retrieving the desired data. If the external application requires a runtime environment such as java or C# you may need to include the complete path to the virtual machine, for example: "C:\Program File\Java\jre7\bin\java.exe"
3) The Field Settings tab is where you will be able to configure custom search form inputs, such as checkboxes, drop down lists, and text boxes, if custom fields are detected within the defined Command Statement. A custom field is enabled by including the syntax $FIELD[Label Name] within your Command Statement text. The words Label Name surrounded by brackets can be any text you desire. Placing these within the Command statement will automatically generate a search form for the desired inputs. The field values will then replace the $FIELD[Label Name] before the Command Statement is passed to your operating system to execute.
4 & 5) The Copy and Paste buttons are utilized to copy the Data Command settings from one Data Command dialog to another.

URL Statement Example:

java.exe -classpath C:\MyJavaApp GetData -Y$FIELD[First Year] -S$FIELD[Sort Order] -L$FIELD[Limit]

Field Settings:

Results:

Defining the Command Statement:

The executed command must return rows in XML syntax with the following format.

Example of returning 3 files with custom columns and formatting. The file's row height is represented by the attribute format_row_height within the File element. Foreground and Background formatting is defined by the Hexidecimal value of the intended color.

Example of returning 2 files with standard system columns, formatting, and returning a popup message to the user. Popup message types can be ERROR, INFORMATION, WARNING, QUESTION or PLAIN.

System column translation:

system_name translates to the Name column

system_type translates to the Type column

system_location translates to the Location column

system_path translates to the Path column

Note: A folder file's Path column uniquely identifies the file. Two files specified with the same Path are handled as a replacement of the defined columns for that Path.

Documentation

Folder from Command

How to define folder Data Command settings

Application

Popup Context Menus

Folder Type

Custom Icons

Column Data Types

Advanced Settings

Folder App Add-Ins

How-to

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