Process Modifier

The Process modifier is used for running external processes. These processes can have data from Lasernet as input and produce output that is entered back into Lasernet. It is also possible to just run the external process and ignore any data transfer.

Settings

There are a variety of settings to control the Process Modifier. They are divided into command line settings, process settings and environment settings.

Command Line

The above example calls the DOS xcopy command to copy some files.

As can be seen, JobInfo substitution is available for the command line.

Process Settings

Working Directory

Sets the current directory for the external application. Can be left empty. Can include any number of #JobInfo# references for substitution.

Required Exit Code

Which exit code to accept from the application as valid. Ignore means that it is not relevant. Lasernet will set the ExitCode JobInfo to the actual exit code.

Timeout

How long Lasernet should wait for the external application to finish. 0 (zero) means that it will wait indefinitely. This setting should be used with care. If the application does not finish, Lasernet will appear to hang. If, on the other hand, the timeout is too short, Lasernet will not receive the data from the external application before Lasernet continues its processing.

Lasernet sets the value of the ProcessTime JobInfo to the approximate number of seconds that the process ran for.

Input Data

Determines how Lasernet should deliver data to the application:

• Generate File means that Lasernet creates a temporary file with the given Extension (the default is tmp). The filename generated is sent to the application with the %1 setting on the Command Line. Lasernet sets the value of the InTempFilename JobInfo to the filename.

• Use Standard In means that Lasernet sends the data to the application via its stdin pipe.

• None means that Lasernet should not send any data to the application.

Output Data

Determines how Lasernet reads data created by the external application:

• Read File means that Lasernet sends a temporary filename to the application via the %2 setting on the Command Line. Lasernet sets the JobInfo OutTempFilename with the filename.

• Use Standard Out means that Lasernet reads the data that the application sends to its stdout pipe.

• None means that Lasernet should ignore any data sent from the application.

When reading via stdout Lasernet sets the StdOut JobInfo to contain any data that was read that way.

Environment

Normally, the application inherits the environment from Lasernet, but in some cases, you might want to set the environment yourself. You can do this on the Environment page. Each environment value supports JobInfo substitution.