From: Dejan Dimic <dejan.dimic@...>
Date: 2008-10-28T07:34:35+09:00
Subject: Re: How to invoke Windows program with a Ruby command

On Oct 26, 5:23 am, RichardOnRails
<RichardDummyMailbox58...@uscomputergurus.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've got a command that works in the Command Window of WinXP-Pro/SP3:
>
> F:\Docume~1\AllUse~1\StartM~1\Programs\_Microsoft
> \Micros~3\Micros~2.lnk
> K:\_Projects\Ruby\_Rails_Apps\PayrollLoader\TestSheet.xls
>
> As I write this post,  the command is written on two lines.  But in
> the Command Windows are submitted as a single line with a space
> separating the program from the argument.  The command brings up Excel
> with the content from the file named in the program's argument.
>
> However, I have not been able to get this to work in Ruby with
> system(pgm_name, file_name).  The command does nothing.  It doesn't
> crash, as evidenced by the fact that following commands are executed
> correctly.
>
> How can I achieve the Command Window result with Ruby 1.8.6?
>
> Thanks in Advance,
> Richard

There are many ways to redirect output from your system call.
Take look at: http://www.robvanderwoude.com/redirection.html