How to run multiple processes with the same executable?

Article
2006-03-28

Question

_{Tuesday, March 28, 2006 10:12 AM}

Hi,

I want to run multiple processes (for example 10 processes who get started after each other) after a button is pressed from a Windows form. Each process executes the same executable.
For example:

Process 1: ipconfig /all
Process 2: ipconfig /release
Process 3: ipconfig /renew

Etc.

I know I should use the Process class, but how can I do this?
I don't think (and I don't know how) I can use a loop, because the commands are different.

Anyone who can help me out?
Thanks in advance!

All replies (7)

_{Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:27 PM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

Code:

public Process[] StartProcesses( ProcessStartInfo[] infos, bool waitForExit )
{
    ArrayList processesBuffer = new ArrayList();
    foreach( ProcessStartInfo info in infos )
    {
        Process process = Process.Start( info );

        if( waitForExit )
        {
   process.WaitForExit();
  }

        processesBuffer.Add( process );
    }
    return (Process[])processesBuffer.ToArray( typeof(Process) );
}

Usage:

ProcessStartInfo[] infos = new ProcessStartInfo[]
{
    new ProcessStartInfo( "notepad", "c:\textfile.txt" ),
    new ProcessStartInfo( @"c:\myapp.exe", "-a -i" ),
    new ProcessStartInfo( @"f:\backup.exe", "-t TAPE1" ),
};
Process[] startedProcesses = StartProcesses( infos, true );

_{Wednesday, March 29, 2006 9:14 AM ✅Answered}

You set the start info after starting, then it hasn't any effect. Here is the modified code:

public Process[] StartProcesses(ProcessStartInfo[] infos)
{
    ArrayList processesBuffer = new ArrayList();

    foreach(ProcessStartInfo info in infos)
    {
        // Make sure the Hidden flag is set.
        info.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;

        // Start process and add to return buffer.
        Process process = Process.Start(info);
        processesBuffer.Add(process);
    }
    return(Process[])processesBuffer.ToArray(typeof(Process));
}

_{Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:07 PM}

I think this might help.

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{

Process proc_1 = new Process();

Process proc_2 = new Process();

Process proc_3 = new Process();

proc_1.StartInfo.FileName = ("Notepad");

proc_2.StartInfo.FileName = ("Excel");

proc_3.StartInfo.FileName = ("WINWORD");

proc_1.StartInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Normal;

proc_2.StartInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Normal;

proc_3.StartInfo.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Normal;

ArrayList processes = new ArrayList();

processes.Add(proc_1);

processes.Add(proc_2);

processes.Add(proc_3);

foreach (Process proc in processes)

{

proc_1.Start();

//proc_1.WaitForExit(); //Wait for notepad to close

proc_2.Start();

//proc_2.WaitForExit();

proc_3.Start();

//proc_3.WaitForExit();

}

_{Wednesday, March 29, 2006 8:27 AM}

Thanks PJ, it's working!

One more thing, how can I remove WaitForExit, and include ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden into the code above?
I tried the following, but the DOS window still pops up:

public Process[] StartProcesses(ProcessStartInfo[] infos)
{
ArrayList processesBuffer = new ArrayList();

    foreach(ProcessStartInfo info in infos)
    {
            Process process = Process.Start(info);
            info.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;

            processesBuffer.Add(process);
    }
    return(Process[])processesBuffer.ToArray(typeof(Process));
}

The executable I want to run resides in the system32 folder.
Do I have to use Request.MapPath, or does it automatically look in the system32 folder first?

Thanks again!

_{Wednesday, March 29, 2006 9:19 AM}

Arg, doh.

You're the best, thanks again!

_{Thursday, May 20, 2010 9:44 PM}

I am very sorry to revive this very old thread but I have a question regarding your solution.

I followed your code and on mine, I have to specify "Static" on the method because the the compiler was barking about it, as in:

public static Process[] StartProcesses(ProcessStartInfo[] infos)
{
}

Does this make any sense?

Let me know.

Thanks.

_{Friday, May 21, 2010 10:10 AM}

I think you're calling the StartProcesses method from another static method (for example, from the Main method).

Since StartProcesses never uses this, it should propably be static anyway.

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How to run multiple processes with the same executable?

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