15 replies to this topic

[BarryS]

Is it possible to have FP launch an external app (say foo.exe) from the initialization script?

[Sebek74]

Is it possible to have FP launch an external app (say foo.exe) from the initialization script?

There is thread at gopinball about creation of external objects outside the script. I've already tested CreateObject method and failed with standard windows, or custom objects. It seems that the script has no permission to do that.
Executing just exe is even more complicated thing and VB doesn't support that with any command (it could be realized by external object created by CreateObject).

[BarryS]

Is it possible to have FP launch an external app (say foo.exe) from the initialization script?

There is thread at gopinball about creation of external objects outside the script. I've already tested CreateObject method and failed with standard windows, or custom objects. It seems that the script has no permission to do that.
Executing just exe is even more complicated thing and VB doesn't support that with any command (it could be realized by external object created by CreateObject).

Yeah, I tried that with no success...

[Sebek74]

Is it possible to have FP launch an external app (say foo.exe) from the initialization script?

There is thread at gopinball about creation of external objects outside the script. I've already tested CreateObject method and failed with standard windows, or custom objects. It seems that the script has no permission to do that.
Executing just exe is even more complicated thing and VB doesn't support that with any command (it could be realized by external object created by CreateObject).

Yeah, I tried that with no success...

I referred to global high scores idea thread. I believe further tries are pointless.
The only idea I still have is that Black added reference to some object in script that is not documented (and can be used for some useful purposes). If you know anything about script engine processing: script can be extended from ouside by some objects that you can refere by name. I assume that for every on table object one interface is added so you can call it's methods directly. The same method is used for adding Request/Response/Server to ASP script processor.

I'm presenting below my idea of global highscore system. As I said it cannot be realized until external object creation is not allowed.

Edited by Sebek74, 27 October 2010 - 07:40 AM.

[rascal]

I believe that running ActiveX and COM objects was purposely blocked by Black due to vpinmame being hacked to FP without his permission at one point in the past. At least that is what I recall. So calling of outside objects will never work unless he has a change of heart.

[light66]

As i remember it it was because he hated all the idiots (his own words) that would flood the forum with requests for ROM's........

light

[The Loafer]

It may have turned into a rom thing, but I'm not 100% sure that was the sole originaltor being this limitation. I think I recall a chat conversation with Black from a long time ago that there was always the possibility someone could use the ability to execute external code into something malicious, so at least part of the original intent may have been a security thing. I could be wrong though; that really was a long time ago; I think not long after he did the jumpman game.

[BarryS]

Understand the reason. What I am trying to do is far from malicious.

[TheNalex]

It may have turned into a rom thing, but I'm not 100% sure that was the sole originaltor being this limitation. I think I recall a chat conversation with Black from a long time ago that there was always the possibility someone could use the ability to execute external code into something malicious, so at least part of the original intent may have been a security thing. I could be wrong though; that really was a long time ago; I think not long after he did the jumpman game.

You are totally correct. Black thought that having the ability to create activeX object (or other type, it's not the point), is / was a major security hole.

[destruk]

And just how many malicious, unsafe objects have been created and used with Visual Pinball? Name one. Just because you could open a wshell and execute format c: doesn't mean people would do this. But Black knows best - it's for your own good he says...and no, you won't be able to utilize 90% of possible external functionality until that is changed, or he adds custom support for what you want in a new exe.

[The Loafer]

Not disputing what you are saying Brian, just mentioning what I think Chris had told me, since that POV was not presented in this thread.

[destruk]

In that case I think if he could prevent people from using copyrighted images and copyrighted sounds in Future Pinball, he would want to do that too. But that's just my POV. The short and skinny summary of this thread is - no, you can't access a highscore system on the internet with Future Pinball at this time - maybe the next version will add a solution, and it would probably want to synchronize the scores by the client pc specs since FP will play differently based on that.

[BarryS]

All,

I really did not mean for this to be a VP vs FP post.

Anyway, I was able to do what I wanted with VP, so all is good.

[TheNalex]

I really did not mean for this to be a VP vs FP post.

You'll learn that on this particular forum, it's more or less always the same... specially when FP is the main topic.

Edited by TheNalex, 31 October 2010 - 05:22 PM.

[Noah Fentz]

I don't see where this turned into VP vs FP.



You'll also learn that I have been handing out warnings to those flaming the FP community on this site. Let's not be so judgmental of 'the site' when I've put a lot of effort into setting up an FP section and making an entire community of 'FPugees' feel welcome.

[BarryS]

Sigh...