Open With (.bat): How does it work?

nqk · 01-07-2019, 01:33 AM

Dear Kovid,

I would like to use a .cmd file (or .bat) to run script on the epub (basically to push it to Content Server (linux). Normally I can drag the file on to the .bat file and it runs fine. But when I use Openwith feature (not the plugin), it does nothing.

This is a simple sample:

Code:

@echo off
cls

echo %1

timeout /t 5
exit

kovidgoyal · 01-07-2019, 06:34 AM

should work just like that, but I dont currently have access to a windows computer to test.

chaley · 01-07-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

should work just like that, but I dont currently have access to a windows computer to test.

The above script works fine on my Win10 machine. When I drag a book from calibre I see the filename echoed, it counts down 5 seconds, then it closes.

kovidgoyal · 01-07-2019, 09:38 AM

I think the OP is saying it works with drag and drop but not with open with (which you access by right lcicking the format in the book details panel and choosing open with)

nqk · 01-07-2019, 09:54 AM

Yes, that is what I am trying to do.

chaley · 01-07-2019, 01:09 PM

Yea, "open with" doesn't work with bat files. It doesn't execute the bat file. I played with the source for a while and couldn't make it work.

GreyWolfsGhost · 01-07-2019, 01:32 PM

I would add a short cut to the batch file in the sent to of the right click menu.

Run "shell:sendto" then past shortcut into the folder.

BetterRed · 01-07-2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreyWolfsGhost

I would add a short cut to the batch file in the sent to of the right click menu.

Run "shell:sendto" then past shortcut into the folder.

How do you get the calibre Open With to use the .lnk file in shell:sendto to exec the bat file.

@nqk - I have a vague memory that something the Open With plugin can do, that the built-in Open With can't do, is execute .bat files - but I am by no means certain. Give it a try.

BR

DNSB · 01-07-2019, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

How do you get the calibre Open With to use the .lnk file in shell:sendto to exec the bat file.

@nqk - I have a vague memory that something the Open With plugin can do, that the built-in Open With can't do, is execute .bat files - but I am by no means certain. Give it a try.

BR

Not sure about this but I have a vague memory the last time I tried opening a .bat/.cmd file with Open With, it spit out a error about cmdline not being defined. Could be an error on my part in configuring the entry and not important enough that I spent time trying to troubleshoot it. I think this broke around the time that v1.52 or 1.53 was released.

nqk · 01-07-2019, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreyWolfsGhost

I would add a short cut to the batch file in the sent to of the right click menu.

Run "shell:sendto" then past shortcut into the folder.

This trick works, but it still requires the use of Windows Explorer. I'm hoping to use the built-in OpenWith feature of Calibre. Very convenient.

@BetterRed, I've tried the OpenWith plugin, but it did not work out.

BetterRed · 01-08-2019, 12:26 AM

FWIW - the JobSpy plugin has a tool to run arbitrary programs, including .bat files, viz

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But it doesn't pass arguments, so maybe Open With could adopt whatever it does, or JobSpy could be enhanced to pass an argument.

BR

kovidgoyal · 01-08-2019, 11:40 PM

Open a ticket for it and I will look into it when I have a moment.

BetterRed · 01-08-2019, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Open a ticket for it and I will look into it when I have a moment.

Done ==>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/1811045

BR

nqk · 01-08-2019, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Done ==>> https://bugs.launchpad.net/calibre/+bug/1811045

BR

Gosh. That's great. Thank you.

01-07-2019, 01:33 AM	#1
nqk Fanatic Posts: 516 Karma: 32106 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Onyx Boox Leaf	Open With (.bat): How does it work? Dear Kovid, I would like to use a .cmd file (or .bat) to run script on the epub (basically to push it to Content Server (linux). Normally I can drag the file on to the .bat file and it runs fine. But when I use Openwith feature (not the plugin), it does nothing. This is a simple sample: Code: @echo off cls echo %1 timeout /t 5 exit

01-08-2019, 12:26 AM	#11
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,559 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	FWIW - the JobSpy plugin has a tool to run arbitrary programs, including .bat files, viz But it doesn't pass arguments, so maybe Open With could adopt whatever it does, or JobSpy could be enhanced to pass an argument. BR

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01-07-2019, 06:34 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,844 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	should work just like that, but I dont currently have access to a windows computer to test.

01-07-2019, 09:38 AM	#4
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,844 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	I think the OP is saying it works with drag and drop but not with open with (which you access by right lcicking the format in the book details panel and choosing open with)

01-07-2019, 09:54 AM	#5
nqk Fanatic Posts: 516 Karma: 32106 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: Onyx Boox Leaf	Yes, that is what I am trying to do.

01-07-2019, 01:09 PM	#6
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,734 Karma: 6690881 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Yea, "open with" doesn't work with bat files. It doesn't execute the bat file. I played with the source for a while and couldn't make it work.

01-07-2019, 01:32 PM	#7
GreyWolfsGhost Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 1681374 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Great White North Device: Glowlight 3, Kindle Keyboard, android, apple...	I would add a short cut to the batch file in the sent to of the right click menu. Run "shell:sendto" then past shortcut into the folder.

01-08-2019, 11:40 PM	#12
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,844 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Open a ticket for it and I will look into it when I have a moment.