Thread: Start and kill program from within program

So I have a subprogram that I need to run at various stages throughout my main program. This program also needs to be in a separate window.

I've got the program opening with this code:

Code:

void menu::startSerial()
{
     char szPath[] = "C:\\Dev-Cpp\\UKGS\\standAloneSerial.exe";
  PROCESS_INFORMATION pif;  //Gives info on the thread and..
                           //..process for the new process
  STARTUPINFO si;          //Defines how to start the program

  ZeroMemory(&si,sizeof(si)); //Zero the STARTUPINFO struct
  si.cb = sizeof(si);         //Must set size of structure

  BOOL bRet = CreateProcess(
        szPath, //Path to executable file
        NULL,   //Command string - not needed here
        NULL,   //Process handle not inherited
        NULL,   //Thread handle not inherited
        FALSE,  //No inheritance of handles
        0,      //No special flags
        NULL,   //Same environment block as this prog
        NULL,   //Current directory - no separate path
        &si,    //Pointer to STARTUPINFO
        &pif);   //Pointer to PROCESS_INFORMATION

  if(bRet == FALSE)
  {
    MessageBox(HWND_DESKTOP,"Unable to start program","",MB_OK);
    return ;
  }

  CloseHandle(pif.hProcess);   //Close handle to process
  CloseHandle(pif.hThread);    //Close handle to thread
  return;
}

But it runs in the window of the main program. How do I get it into it's own separate place?


Also, I'll need to terminate this process from a completely different part of the program. What's the best way to get the handle in order to use TerminateProcess()?
Thanks a bunch.

As for killing the process, try using TerminateProcess(...);

Originally Posted by matsp

I think you need to specify: CREATE_NEW_PROCESS_GROUP in dwCreationFlags.

Thanks, this looks about right. I don't have the equipment I need to test it right now, I'll post back on if it works once I'm able to test it properly.

Originally Posted by abachler

As for killing the process, try using TerminateProcess(...);

I know to use TerminateProcess(), what I was asking was how to best get the handle to close it. This is much later in the program, so passing the address doesn't appeal to me.