Configuring Custom Actions3-18 Express5800/320Fc: Active Upgrade™ User’s GuideExecuting Visual Basic Scripts and Other Types of Executable FilesBy default, the File field on the Custom Actions page accepts only batch files (.bat),application files (.exe), and Visual Basic scripts (.vbs). However, if necessary, youmight be able to run another type of executable file (such as a Perl script) byimplementing the command-line script host for the file.You can also optionally run the command-line script host for Visual Basic scripts(cscript.exe) if you need to enable options that are available only in that environment.For example, to run your Visual Basic script in a command-line script host, do thefollowing when performing the procedure in “Configuring Custom Actions” onpage 3-12:• Next to File, type the full path and file name of the command-line script host:%SystemRoot%\system32\cscript.exe(%SystemRoot% is an environment variable that automatically inserts your systemroot directory, typically C:\WINNT.)• Next to Arguments, type the full path name and file name of your executable file.For example:C:\bin\myvbscript.vbsIf applicable, you can type additional arguments that are specific to your script file oroptions that are specific to the session. For example, for a cscript session, you mightwant to specify the //T option to control the maximum amount of time your program isallowed to run:C:\bin\myvbscript.vbs //T:30The preceding example would terminate the program and cscript session after 30seconds. Setting this type of time limit is a useful way of ensuring that your executablefile cannot delay the upgrade process.For more information about the cscript command, open a Command Prompt sessionand enter cscript /?.Related Topics• “Programming Notes for Custom Actions” on page 3-15• “Configuring Custom Actions” on page 3-12
