How to Work with Processes > Working with the Host Services Processes Group > Working with Execute Program on Host Process

Process Purpose

The "Execute Program on Host" process is used to send a request to the Host, via MCL-Net server, for the execution of an ".exe" program with optional arguments (ex: the process triggers the execution of a Word application installed in the MCL-Net Host to print a specific "*.docx" file).

For this process to execute as expected, MCL-Net must be run as an application, NOT as a service.

When you add a process, you are required to define its settings. This occurs in the process's properties window which is displayed automatically after having added the "Execute Program on Host" process. If any subsequent edition is required, double-click the process to open its properties window and enter the necessary modifications.

Fill in the following options:

Host
Host Name	Select an MCL-Net host profile from the drop-down OR click to create a new one or edit an existing MCL-Net host profile. See To Create a Host Profile OR To Edit a Host Profile OR The <Default> Host Profile.
Parameters
Path + File Name	Enter the path to the application to be executed and the name of the corresponding "*.exe" file OR click and select a variable with that value.
Arguments	Click and select the variable that contains the requested application's arguments. See Variable Usage.
Working Directory	Enter the directory that includes the file(s) to be used by the application in the Host.
Wait	Define the behavior of the MCL application during the execution of this process. Select "True" or "False" from the drop-down OR click to select the variable with the intended value (accepted values - "true" or "false"): True - the target device waits for MCL-Net to confirm that the requested application has started and completed its purpose - meanwhile, the MCL application is waiting. False - the target device does NOT wait for confirmation that the application has launched and the MCL application proceeds with its workflow.
If Communication Error
Go to	Select a target location from the drop-down OR the list, in case there is a communications error. See Detail of a window below. When defining a screen as a target destination (ex: via a “Go to” process), you CANNOT use variables to specify the name of that target screen. You must select the intended screen from the available drop-down/list.

Detail of a window:

"S:Menu" is a screen included in the same program as the process.

"R:Routine_1" is a routine included in the same program as the process.

Use the following recurring icons (located on the upper right corner of the properties window) to execute specific operations:

•Click to define a time out. See Time Out.

•Click to attach any relevant notes to this process. Click it and enter your notes in the resulting text box. These notes will be displayed in the corresponding "Actions" tab or "Process" window (in the "Notes" field) and in the "Developer Report".

After filling in the required options, click to conclude or click to abort the operation.

The added process is displayed in the corresponding "Actions" tab or "Process" window.

You can use relative paths to refer the file(s) you want to use in your project. See Working with Aliases.

If you want to use a label as a target destination, you can use the "Auto-Label" mechanism. This alternative to the "Set Label" process allows you to create a label in the properties window of a process - specifically, in the fields used to define target destinations (ex: the "If Error..." type fields). See To Automatically Create a Label.

Use the right-click in MCL-Designer's input boxes to access some related options as well as the general "Cut", "Copy"; "Paste"; "Search" actions (active/inactive according to the current context).

Ex: If you right-click the "Variable" input box (included in a "Conversion's" properties window), you are provided with general editing/search actions and other more specific options such as "Variable Select" (see "Variable Select"); "Variable Insert" (see "Variable Insert"); "Insert Special Character" (see To Insert Special Characters into a Control's Text Input Field) and "Localization Select" (see Localization List).

If you right-click another input box, it may provide other possibilities.