How to open a third party software?

Q&A
1

In some interactive tasks, I need to open third party softwares in order to the user complete the task. What is the best way to do it? What should I look for?

2

See these posts for some ideas on how to do it -

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/916925/how-to-launch-an-exe-from-web-page-asp-net
specifically the answer from chenatu answered Nov 13 '15 at 9:11

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5422093/run-a-program-from-a-local-webpage
specifically the answer from oprimus001 answered Jan 18 '12 at 13:39 and
community wiki by Vadim Rapp

As to returning data from the other program, that’s a lot tougher and may need you to talk to the product vendor otherwise it will have to be done manually.

regards
Seán

PS: As this reply offers an answer your question, and if you like it, please Mark UP and/or as Resolved.

3

Sorry for keeping on this, but I still have troubles that I can’t overcome.

I did register my application, but I’m not able to make the bonita’s link widget to work.
I tried a button, a link, but it just doesn’t work. Even if I try with some application that I know it is well registered like notepad or regedit.

Can someone give me a tip on how to do this please?

Thank you!

Luan

4

For example what third application programs?

Do you expect data to be returned?

5

Thank you for you answer!

I’m building some workflows for Petroleum Geology, so, in fact, I need to open a many third party programs. Some are in Java, some are not.

Most cases are like this: I need to check if the input file is right for the task, if it is, then I launch the third application and the user do some work. When he is done, he tells the bonita application and the workflow just continues. It is possible that I have some response from the other program, but not always.

6

So I should do it in the forms using something like a button?
Another doubt in the same topic: I have to check a file to see if it is ok to be used as an entry for the software. I have an validator in Java for that. I can use an upload widget to get the file, but how do I connect to that java code and pass that file path. First I tought of connectors, but I need it to happen in the middle of the task, not at start or at the end.

Sorry for abusing of your help Seán!