[python-win32] Using DDE to launch a file in an existing window

[Tim Roberts]

Matt Harriger wrote:
>
> I have a question about using DDE to launch a file in an existing
> application when double-clicked from explorer. I'm trying to use the
> built-in windows functionality for doing this by setting the
> application and topic keys in HKCR\my_file_type\shell\open
> \ddeexec. I also have HKCR\my_file_type\shell\open\command set up to
> launch my python script if windows can't find the application through
> dde ( i.e. it's not currently running). The python script create a
> server and registers the system topic as the very first thing it does.
> When I double-click a file of this type in Explorer, I get an error
> dialog saying that "windows cannot find ' filename.ext' Make sure you
> typed the name correctly...". Has anyone else been able to open a file
> in a running application this way?

Are you really using DDE?  DDE is an antique protocol that is virtually
extinct today.  It's interesting to see someone trying to find a modern
use for it.

Can you dump the whole HKCR\my_file_type registry key and show it to
us?  Mail it to me privately, if you want.  I'll see if anything looks
unusual.

-- 
Tim Roberts, timr at probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.