TCC offers several ways to start applications.

 

First, you can simply type the name of any application at the prompt. As long as the application's executable file is in one of the standard search directories (see below), TCC will find it and start it. If you type the full path name of the executable file at the prompt the application will be started even if it is not in one of the standard search directories.

 

TCC offers two methods to simplify and speed up access to your applications. One is to create an alias, for example:

 

alias myapp d:\apps\myapp.exe

 

In Take Command you can also use the Tool Bar to start frequently used applications. For example, a tool bar button named MyApp which invokes the command d:\apps\myapp.exe would accomplish the same thing as the alias shown above. You can use these methods together. For example, if you define the alias shown above you can set up a tool bar button called MyApp and simply use the command myapp for the button, which would then invoke the previously-defined alias.

 

You can also start an application by typing the name of a data file associated with the application. TCC will examine the file's extension and run the appropriate application, based on executable extensions or Windows file associations.

 

For additional flexibility, you can also start applications with the START command. START provides a number of switches to customize the way an application is started.

 

Searching for Applications

 

When you start an application without specifying a path, TCC searches for the application in the current directory, and then all directories on the PATH. TCC also searches the Windows and Windows system directories; see the PATH command for details. (If you do enter an explicit path, TCC will only look in the directory you specified.)

 

If you enter a file name with no extension, TCC will search each directory for a matching .EXE, .BTM, .BAT, or .CMD file (and .REX and/or .REXX if a REXX interpreter is loaded), then for a file matching a Windows file association or executable extension. That search order may be altered via the PathExt configuration option. If no such file is found, Take Command will move on to the next directory in the search sequence.

 

Take Command Application Windows

 

Take Command runs console (character mode) applications either in a tab window within Take Command or in their own console window. Take Command usually starts GUI applications in their own window, but you can also run simple GUI apps in a tab window (provided the application does not have multiple parent windows) with the Run dialog or the START /TAB option.