Execute Commands From C#

I usually run across the need to execute commands or run applications during the installation or configuration of an application. I’ve found this technique very useful in place of using batch files. You have a much more robust environment to work with and you don’t have to worry about someone modifying your batch file. For this example, I’m just going to show you how execute a command that you would normally use in a Command Prompt. I normally include a function like the following in a static utility class so that it is accessible from anywhere in the application.

public static int ExecuteCommand(string Command, int Timeout)
{
   int ExitCode;
   ProcessStartInfo ProcessInfo;
   Process Process;

   ProcessInfo = new ProcessStartInfo(“cmd.exe”, “/C ” + Command);
   ProcessInfo.CreateNoWindow = true;
   ProcessInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
   Process = Process.Start(ProcessInfo);
   Process.WaitForExit(Timeout);
   ExitCode = Process.ExitCode;
   Process.Close();

   return ExitCode;
}

November 5, 2007. Uncategorized.