Summary
To launch a document file using the Arcana Scheduler, you must specify the program that is used to open the file. You cannot specify just the name of the file.
For example, if you wish to open a Microsoft Access database, you must configure the program properties in the Scheduler as follows:
Application:
c:\program files\microsoft office\office\msaccessCommand line parameters:
d:\datafiles\mydata.mdb
(replace the paths and database name as appropriate).
More Information
This is required because the Scheduler operates differently from the Windows command prompt or the Explorer shell, which allow you to specify only the file name.
The same principle applies whenever you wish to open a document file--the Application must always be an executable program or script (a file with the extension .exe, .com, .bat, or .cmd, though the extension is not required).
Additional examples:
- To launch a Word document you would specify winword.exe (and the necessary path) as the application.
- To launch a pcAnywhere session you would specify awrem32.exe (and the necessary path) as the application.
- To launch a script you would specify the scripting program (see article I02000034).
- To launch a web page, you would specify your web browser executable as the application and the URL or file name as the command-line parameters
Status
This behavior is by design.
Beginning with version 2.3 of the Arcana Scheduler, it is possible to specify files, URLs, etc., and the Scheduler will automatically launch the correct application. See the download page to download the latest version.
