Comments on: Run only one copy of an application http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/ You can do more than breathe for free... Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:36:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-172699 Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:50:10 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-172699 Oh, I see what you mean … you’re trying to run … only two. Or rather, only one _that you started_. I didn’t understand what you meant at all. Obviously having RunOnlyOne track what it starts should work fine (or, I take it, *does* work fine for you) ... I mean, it’s hypothetically possible that you could get a coincidence with the process id on a subsequent boot or something, but it seems really unlikely. Sorry for the confusion. Oh, I see what you mean … you’re trying to run … only two. Or rather, only one that you started. I didn’t understand what you meant at all.

Obviously having RunOnlyOne track what it starts should work fine (or, I take it, does work fine for you) ... I mean, it’s hypothetically possible that you could get a coincidence with the process id on a subsequent boot or something, but it seems really unlikely.

Sorry for the confusion.

]]> By: Doug http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-172536 Doug Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:38:55 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-172536 Actually I did read the article (no need to be pissy). I also tried the proc parameter and it doesn't work properly with "Explorer.exe" as there is always an instance running, so it will not bring up a window initially when used with "proc". In order to make it work I had to change the code and have it store the process id in the registry. It will try to find that process id running and switch to it. If it's not valid or another named process is in its place it spawns a new instance and updates the id in the registry. With that change and a change to how the focus is reset, it works fine. Actually I did read the article (no need to be pissy). I also tried the proc parameter and it doesn’t work properly with “Explorer.exe” as there is always an instance running, so it will not bring up a window initially when used with “proc”.

In order to make it work I had to change the code and have it store the process id in the registry. It will try to find that process id running and switch to it. If it’s not valid or another named process is in its place it spawns a new instance and updates the id in the registry.

With that change and a change to how the focus is reset, it works fine.

]]> By: Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-158248 Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett Wed, 21 May 2008 17:00:29 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-158248 Sorry, did you even read the article? It matches based on process name, not window titles. That's why it has a -proc parameter. Sorry, did you even read the article? It matches based on process name, not window titles. That’s why it has a -proc parameter.

]]> By: Doug http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-157586 Doug Sun, 18 May 2008 23:36:41 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-157586 Joel, I was looking for something like this to be able to hotkey an Explorer window to open to a specific directory or to switch back to the explorer window if it was currently open (regardless of the directory I left it at). The problem with RunOnlyOne is that I believe explorer changes the name of the Window each time the directory changes. If this is the case, the only way I could see RunOnlyOne working is if it tracked the process id instead of the name? Does this sound like it could work, or maybe there's just a better way to do what I'm wanting. Thanks -Doug Joel, I was looking for something like this to be able to hotkey an Explorer window to open to a specific directory or to switch back to the explorer window if it was currently open (regardless of the directory I left it at). The problem with RunOnlyOne is that I believe explorer changes the name of the Window each time the directory changes. If this is the case, the only way I could see RunOnlyOne working is if it tracked the process id instead of the name?

Does this sound like it could work, or maybe there’s just a better way to do what I’m wanting.

Thanks
-Doug

]]> By: Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-141725 Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:01:40 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-141725 Actually, it should not be a Vista only app, but it probably does require the latest VC++ 8 runtime dlls... I'll make sure I include them in the update... Actually, it should not be a Vista only app, but it probably does require the latest VC++ 8 runtime dlls… I’ll make sure I include them in the update…

]]> By: Daniel http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-141213 Daniel Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:22:42 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-141213 The program seems to get the error: "This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem." Is this a Vista only app? Did now know if there was a dll or such that xp does not have. Best Regards, -daniel The program seems to get the error:
“This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.”

Is this a Vista only app? Did now know if there was a dll or such that xp does not have.

Best Regards,
-daniel

]]> By: JF http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-140351 JF Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:51:23 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-140351 Actually, after a little more playing, I discovered what I think is the 'right way'. Apparently SwitchToApplication messes with the Z-ordering of any applications between the currently focused app, and the app you wish to switch to - like the way Alt-Tab brings each window into focus as you tab through them. Furthermore, if the window is maximized and focused, and you RunOnlyOne again, it shouldn't restore the window. Anyway, I think I've fixed all possible scenarios and have been running the new code and haven't detected any bugs: //add these lines over the process iteration loop WINDOWPLACEMENT wp; wp.length = sizeof(wp); // replace SwitchToThisWindow() with: ::GetWindowPlacement( itw.First(), &wp); if( wp.showCmd == SW_SHOWMINIMIZED ) { ::ShowWindow( itw.First(), SW_RESTORE ); } else { ::SetForegroundWindow( itw.First() ); } Actually, after a little more playing, I discovered what I think is the ‘right way’. Apparently SwitchToApplication messes with the Z-ordering of any applications between the currently focused app, and the app you wish to switch to – like the way Alt-Tab brings each window into focus as you tab through them. Furthermore, if the window is maximized and focused, and you RunOnlyOne again, it shouldn’t restore the window. Anyway, I think I’ve fixed all possible scenarios and have been running the new code and haven’t detected any bugs:

//add these lines over the process iteration loop
WINDOWPLACEMENT wp;
wp.length = sizeof(wp);

// replace SwitchToThisWindow() with:

::GetWindowPlacement( itw.First(), &wp);
if( wp.showCmd == SW_SHOWMINIMIZED ) {
::ShowWindow( itw.First(), SW_RESTORE );
} else {
::SetForegroundWindow( itw.First() );
}

]]> By: Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-140271 Joel 'Jaykul' Bennett Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:16:20 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-140271 Yeah, absolutely... gimme a day or two and I'll repost the new one Yeah, absolutely… gimme a day or two and I’ll repost the new one

]]> By: JF http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-140219 JF Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:24:40 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-140219 Actually I just played around with this with VS 2008 Express (as in free). All that is needed is: ::ShowWindow(itw.First(), SW_SHOWNORMAL); works like a champ. Perfect for use with cygwin. Actually I just played around with this with VS 2008 Express (as in free). All that is needed is:

::ShowWindow(itw.First(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);

works like a champ. Perfect for use with cygwin.

]]> By: JF http://huddledmasses.org/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/comment-page-1/#comment-140190 JF Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:30:48 +0000 http://HuddledMasses.org/jaykul/run-only-one-copy-of-an-application/#comment-140190 KH> I'm not really a C coder, but I think you would just need add these lines: ::ShowWindow(itw.First(), SW_SHOWNORMAL); ::BringWindowToTop(itw.First()); right after the SwitchToWindow line...that would restore the window if it's minimized, as well as bring the window to top if it's open but behind some other window(s). Joel - do you think you could update the code & binary to include the changes? KH> I’m not really a C coder, but I think you would just need add these lines:

::ShowWindow(itw.First(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
::BringWindowToTop(itw.First());

right after the SwitchToWindow line…that would restore the window if it’s minimized, as well as bring the window to top if it’s open but behind some other window(s).

Joel – do you think you could update the code & binary to include the changes?

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