FindExecutable

Overview

Group

Quick Info

Windows NT
Yes
Win95
Yes
Win32s
Yes
Import Library
shell32.lib
Header File
shellapi.h
Unicode
WinNT
Platform Notes
None

The FindExecutable function retrieves the name and handle to the executable (.EXE) file associated with the specified filename.

HINSTANCE FindExecutable(

LPCTSTR lpFile,	// pointer to string for filename
LPCTSTR lpDirectory,	// pointer to string for default directory
LPTSTR lpResult	// pointer to buffer for string for executable file on return
);

Parameters
lpFile

Pointer to a null-terminated string specifying a filename. This can be a document or executable file.

lpDirectory

Pointer to a null-terminated string specifying the default directory.

lpResult

Pointer to a buffer to receive the filename when the function returns. This filename is a null-terminated string specifying the executable file started when an "open" association is run on the file specified in the lpFile parameter.

Return Values
If the function succeeds, the return value is greater than 32.

If the function fails, the return value is less than or equal to 32. The following table lists the possible error values:

Value	Meaning
0	The system is out of memory or resources.
31	There is no association for the specified file type.
ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND	The specified file was not found.
ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND	The specified path was not found.
ERROR_BAD_FORMAT	The .EXE file is invalid (non-Win32 .EXE or error in .EXE image).

Remarks
When FindExecutable returns, the lpResult parameter may contain the path to the DDE server started if no server responds to a request to initiate a DDE conversation.