dtexec

user cmd

`dtexec`

execute command-based action

    dtexec
    -openopen_option
    -ttprocidprocid
    -tmptmpfile
    cmd
    cmd_arg ...

## DESCRIPTION

&str-XZ; uses the `dtexec` utility to execute `COMMAND` actions. In normal usage, &str-XZ; automatically invokes `dtexec` when it is needed. &str-XZ; users and administrators do not need to interact directly with `dtexec`.

The primary argument for `dtexec` is the name of a command to execute and any command-line options or arguments for that command. There are several important services that `dtexec` provides for the commands that it executes. These services are controlled via the options specified in the ``OPTIONS'' section in this document.

## OPTIONS

The following options are available:

`-open` open_option

- The `-open` option tells `dtexec` whether it should continue to run or exit after the command terminates.

  The valid values for open_option are:

  `-1`

- (default) continue to execute after cmd terminates.

`0`

- exit as soon as cmd terminates.

`n`

- continue to execute if cmd terminates within `n` seconds of starting.

The values `-1` and `n` are typically used when `COMMAND` actions are executed in a terminal emulator to control the lifetime of the terminal window.

`-ttprocid` procid

- The `dtexec` command uses the `-ttprocid` option to send ToolTalk messages back to the application that invoked the `COMMAND` action. These messages are used to convey status information (for example, the command has terminated).

`-tmp` tmpfile

- The `-tmp` option names a temporary file that `dtexec` removes after cmd terminates if either no -ttprocid option is supplied or contact is lost with the specified procid. In normal usage, the parent process that starts `dtexec`, performs this cleanup. This option can be issued multiple times, once for each tmp file present. Typically, tmpfile also appears as a cmd_arg.

## EXIT STATUS

The following exit values are returned:

`0`

- Implies all system resources were available to fork and exec the requested command, not that the requested command executed successfully.

`1`

- An error occurred.

## APPLICATION USAGE

Normally, application programs do not directly invoke this program. Normally, an application program links with the action service, which then invokes `dtexec` as needed. Applications should use the `waitTime` resource to configure the value of the -open_option and the `DtexecPath` resource to configure the location of `dtexec`.

If cmd writes to stderr, the error messages are time stamped and redirected to the user's errorlog file (`$HOME/.dt/errorlog`) when open_option is `0`. If open_option is set otherwise, the error messages are typically displayed in the terminal window.

## SEE ALSO

&cdeman.dtaction;, &cdeman.dtactionfile;.