make Win32 Console into background app

I've written a program in C in Visual C++ 2008. Basically the program read a txt file (located on the same folder of exe) and transfer the data in it to MySQL server. Right know I've only make it run once,later I intend to put it in a while loop.

I want to make this program runs in the background.From google I've found for example about using Windows Service,WinMain(),freeconsole(),etc...
I'm not sure about Windows Service bcos i'm afraid i'll messing around with register and stuff.
Is there any simpler way?

I'll use this program on XP or Vista.I hope it doesn't take much memory.My program doesn't require any input from keyboard(user).

Clusty Search » run as service
Some of them might even be free.

The easiest way to do this, is just create a windows program instead of a console program. Then make your main window invisible.

from my research, i could use Windows Service or CreateProcess function.

today i spent the whole day at work (literally) trying to find any complete example code in c for both.
it really amazed me how little examples are available on the net!
even the CreateProcess function is very,very tricky and difficult to understand,which i assume at first could be easier than making it a service.

after trying a few CreateProcess examples,none of them compilable..I'll end up with linking error and then when i googled,i received many confusing answers...such as,"change to Win32 API not console,c++,Unicode,add #include <tchar.h>,error LNK2019,WinMain,_main...bla.bla..change this,that!"

msdn documentation is very poor.

the only compilable and working example is this from msdn but i simply don't know how to connect/make my console program a process:

Code:

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#include <windows.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <tchar.h>/*i have to add this,otherwise error LNK2019...very weird*/


void _tmain( int argc, TCHAR *argv[] )
{
    STARTUPINFO si;
    PROCESS_INFORMATION pi;

    ZeroMemory( &si, sizeof(si) );
    si.cb = sizeof(si);
    ZeroMemory( &pi, sizeof(pi) );

    if( argc != 2 )
    {
        printf("Usage: %s [cmdline]\n", argv[0]);
        return;
    }

    // Start the child process.
    if( !CreateProcess( NULL,  // No module name (use command line)
        argv[1],        // Command line
        NULL,          // Process handle not inheritable
        NULL,          // Thread handle not inheritable
        FALSE,          // Set handle inheritance to FALSE
        0,              // No creation flags
        NULL,          // Use parent's environment block
        NULL,          // Use parent's starting directory
        &si,            // Pointer to STARTUPINFO structure
        &pi )          // Pointer to PROCESS_INFORMATION structure
    )
    {
        printf( "CreateProcess failed (%d).\n", GetLastError() );
        return;
    }

    // Wait until child process exits.
    WaitForSingleObject( pi.hProcess, INFINITE );

    // Close process and thread handles.
    CloseHandle( pi.hProcess );
    CloseHandle( pi.hThread );
}

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the ouput is:

Quote:

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Usage: c [cmdline]
press any key to continue...

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and then what?! i simply angry with this bcos i have the most unproductive day!