Question Close form when directory opens

[wilko]

Does anyone know how to close a form when a directory opens?

I'll explain: i have created a very small app that basically opens a folder. Sounds simple and is easy to use, but the folder/directory opened is all based on user input, and this code the user enters determines where the folder is and on which server and so on....

Basically, it can take a while for the app to find and open the folder. I don't want the form to close until the directory has opened as i am displaying a 'loading...' message on the form. I was hoping it would be as simple as ... If directory.open(foldername) then me.close() .... but nope!

Does anyone know how to do this please?

Thanks

 

[jmcilhinney]

How exactly are you opening the folder? Are you using Process.Start to open it in Windows Explorer or are you doing something else?

 

[wilko]

Yeah i'm using Process.start ("Explorer.exe", folderpath)

 

[jmcilhinney]

If you call WaitForInputIdle on your Process object before calling Close, does that about do it? The results are a bit unpredictable but hopefully it will work in this case.

 

[jmcilhinney]

By the way, you don't have to specify the executable because Explorer is the default application for folder paths anyway.

 

[wilko]

That's a new one on me. How do i implement that? Would i be right in thinking that this waits until the process has started and has idled (no activity)? I'm no expert at VB but i do love learning these new things.

Cheers

 

[wilko]

Okay it works. This is the code i used, but the label doesn't change to "Fetching data,.....".

If Directory.Exists(fullpath) Then
Label1.Text = "Fetching data, please be patient..."
proc = Process.Start(fullpath)
proc.WaitForInputIdle()
Me.Close()
Else
Me.Close()
MessageBox.Show("Project not found!")
End If

 

[jmcilhinney]

What is likely happening is that execution gets to the WaitForInputIdle call before the UI is actually repainted after setting the Text of the Label. Try calling Application.DoEvents or the Label's Refresh method after setting the Text to force it to repaint immediately.

 

[wilko]

Yep that did the trick. Thank you for your help jmcilhinney, it is very appreciated.