Windows Task Sceduler

[lawsonm1]

I know this is probably a really dumb question; and I'm going way out on a limb here; but is there anything that gets put in a compiler QB64 .exe file that would make it not work with task scheduler? Here is the background... I wrote a program awhile back, did all the testing I needed to do, and then set up task scheduler to have it run each morning at 7:00am. No problems; works fine, lasts a long time.

So, I wrote another program that I also wanted to run at a certain time. No dice; ever. I have tried to kick it off at differing times, nothing. Set up the execution parameters the same as the one that works, nothing. The task scheduler history says that everything went fine; task triggered on scheduler, created task process, task started, action started, action completed, and task completed. All of them within one second of the start time. and the last run result shows up a 0x6F; of which I cannot find any trace of what that means.

Oh, i can run the program just fine; either by the normal double click from file explorer or selecting 'run task' from the task scheduler. Like I said, probably a dumb question, but I figured I try a longshot just in case. Thanks, Mike

[lawsonm1]

I just got around to putting the program in a batch file and having the task scheduler execute the batch file. Same exact results. I also tried a different approach, with promising results. I use a program called Second Copy to make backup copies of my important data. One of the features of Second Copy is to run a program either before or after the Second Copy profile has run. So I put my program to run after the last profile of the night runs. It worked. Hmmm, this is really weird! Mike

[bplus]

Did you write the first program, that works fine, with a different version QB64 for the faulty working one now? Then you could rightly suspect a compile difference, given everything else is exactly the same. I think I recall a major update in compiler between v1.3 and v1.4 (or was it v1.2 and v1.3?)

If true, if you have the older version try compiling with it, I think you can still download older versions of QB64.

[lawsonm1]

Nope, everything I have written has been in 1.3. Something keeps sticking in the back of my head that there is supposed to be something in the very first line of code, or something like that. But for the life of me I can't recall what it is. Thanks, Mike

[Pete]

It might be worth your time to write your own scheduler, with QB64. Just use TIME$. If you turn your computer on and off a lot, you might be able to add msconfig to your system, if it isn't already installed, and add your QB64 scheduler program to msconfig, so msconfig starts your QB64 scheduler program on start up. Sorry, but I don't work with Windows Task Scheduler, so I don't know what's going on there, other than it sounds like it's snubbing you for not being a Microsoft approved application.

Pete

[lawsonm1]

Pete, I have thought about that as well. I have a couple things I want to try first. I'm still working on the 'file open' errors I get randomly. I had them again today. That one is equally weird. Mike

[lawsonm1]

Pete, I think I will take your advice and write my own. I'm thinking on having a data file with all of the task data, that is read as soon as the task program runs. It would display the scheduled tasks and allow for adding, deleting, or modifying tasks. If any of those three are selected, the data file is updated. I would have a home screen with each of the tasks displayed, and if one of the three modification options are selected, then it would change to a screen to all of that option to be performed. When the modification option is completed, the data file is updated and you are returned to the home screen.

In trying to figure out a format for the data file, I'm thinking of using a value between 0 and 127 to be able to identify which days of the week the task is to be run. A value of 127 means every day, a value of 62 means just on weekdays, a value of 65 means just on weekends, etc.

Thoughts, Mike

[lawsonm1]

Okay, if I go with a plan to have the days of the week, the task will run, be between 1 and 127, then I obviously need a way to have the number analyzed to see which days the task runs. I know this is not the prettiest code, but it seems to work, and, most importantly, I understand how it works. The variable 'Value' would contain the code for which days the task runs.... I plugged in a few sample numbers for 'Value' and it seemed to work. I did just realize I need to test for a 'Value' that is less than 1 or greater than 127 to be safe.

Code: QB64: [Select]

1. CLS
2. Value = 64
3. PRINT Value
4. Bit7 = Value - 64
5. IF Bit7 > -1 THEN Sat = 1 ELSE Sat = 0
6. IF Bit7 < 0 THEN Bit7 = Value
7. PRINT Bit7
8. IF Sat = 1 THEN PRINT "Saturday = On " ELSE PRINT "Saturday = Off"
9. PRINT
10. Bit6 = Bit7 - 32
11. IF Bit6 > -1 THEN Fri = 1 ELSE Fri = 0
12. IF Bit6 < 0 THEN Bit6 = Bit7
13. PRINT Bit6
14. IF Fri = 1 THEN PRINT "Friday = On " ELSE PRINT "Friday = Off"
15. PRINT
16. Bit5 = Bit6 - 16
17. IF Bit5 > -1 THEN Thu = 1 ELSE Thu = 0
18. IF Bit5 < 0 THEN Bit5 = Bit6
19. PRINT Bit5
20. IF Thu = 1 THEN PRINT "Thursday = On " ELSE PRINT "Thursday = Off"
21. PRINT
22. Bit4 = Bit5 - 8
23. IF Bit4 > -1 THEN Wed = 1 ELSE Wed = 0
24. IF Bit4 < 0 THEN Bit4 = Bit5
25. PRINT Bit4
26. IF Wed = 1 THEN PRINT "Wednesday = On " ELSE PRINT "Wednesday = Off"
27. PRINT
28. Bit3 = Bit4 - 4
29. IF Bit3 > -1 THEN Tue = 1 ELSE Tue = 0
30. IF Bit3 < 0 THEN Bit3 = Bit4
31. PRINT Bit3
32. IF Tue = 1 THEN PRINT "Tuesday = On " ELSE PRINT "Tuesday = Off"
33. PRINT
34. Bit2 = Bit3 - 2
35. IF Bit2 > -1 THEN Mon = 1 ELSE Mon = 0
36. IF Bit2 < 0 THEN Bit2 = Bit3
37. PRINT Bit2
38. IF Mon = 1 THEN PRINT "Monday = On " ELSE PRINT "Monday = Off"
39. PRINT
40. Bit1 = Bit2 - 1
41. IF Bit1 > -1 THEN Sun = 1 ELSE Sun = 0
42. IF Bit1 < 0 THEN Bit1 = Bit2
43. PRINT Bit1
44. IF Sun = 1 THEN PRINT "Sunday = On " ELSE PRINT "Sunday = Off"

[SpriggsySpriggs]

@lawsonm1 Mike, I have quite a few good functions for date calculation and knowing what day of the week it is. I can give you that code later if you like. It might assist you with task scheduling.

[lawsonm1]

Thanks. I have been using the one that is listed in the DATE$ page on the wiki (http://www.qb64.org/wiki/DATE$), which has worked fine. I'm just playing around right now. My first test is at 4am tomorrow 6/26) morning. I'm just trying to make sure the basic ideas work before I add more bells and whistles. Mike

[SpriggsySpriggs]

@lawsonm1 Here you go. This is used with a PowerShell script for creating a Date Picker and returning back the date as an exit code from PowerShell. I'm sure you can find something in this that is helpful. Enjoy!

QB64 Code:

Code: QB64: [Select]

1.     DIM date1$
2.     DIM date2$
3.  
4.     date1$ = GetDate
5.     date2$ = GetDate
6.     PRINT "The difference between "; date1$; " and "; date2$; " is "; String.Trim(STR$(difference_of_days(date1$, date2$))); " days"
7.     PRINT WeekDay(date1$)
8.     PRINT WeekDay(date2$)
9.     FUNCTION GetDate$
10.         __GetNewDate
11.         DIM SHELL$
12.         DIM a AS LONG
13.         DIM datepicked AS STRING
14.         DIM month AS STRING
15.         DIM day AS STRING
16.         DIM year AS STRING
17.         DIM StartDir AS STRING
18.         StartDir = COMMAND$(0)
19.         StartDir = LEFT$(StartDir, _INSTRREV(StartDir, "\"))
20.         SHELL$ = "PowerShell -WindowStyle Hidden -ExecutionPolicy Bypass " + CHR$(34) + "&'" + StartDir + "\GetNewDate.ps1';exit $LASTEXITCODE" + CHR$(34)
21.         a = _SHELLHIDE(SHELL$)
22.         SELECT CASE LEN(LTRIM$(STR$(a)))
23.             CASE 7
24.                 datepicked = LTRIM$(STR$(a))
25.                 month = "0" + MID$(datepicked, 1, 1)
26.                 day = MID$(datepicked, 2, 2)
27.                 year = MID$(datepicked, 4, 4)
28.             CASE 8
29.                 datepicked = LTRIM$(STR$(a))
30.                 month = MID$(datepicked, 1, 2)
31.                 day = MID$(datepicked, 3, 2)
32.                 year = MID$(datepicked, 5, 4)
33.         END SELECT
34.         IF datepicked <> "" THEN
35.             GetDate = month + "-" + day + "-" + year
36.         ELSE
37.             GetDate = ""
38.         END IF
39.     END FUNCTION
40.  
41.     FUNCTION WeekDay$ (formatteddate AS STRING)
42.         DIM M
43.         DIM D
44.         DIM Y
45.         DIM C
46.         DIM S1
47.         DIM S2
48.         DIM S3
49.         DIM WkDay
50.         DIM day AS STRING
51.         DIM Moon AS STRING
52.         M = VAL(MID$(formatteddate, 1, 2))
53.         D = VAL(MID$(formatteddate, 4, 2))
54.         Y = VAL(MID$(formatteddate, 7, 4))
55.  
56.         IF M < 3 THEN M = M + 12: Y = Y - 1 'add 12 to Jan - Feb month, -1 year
57.         C = Y \ 100: Y = Y MOD 100 'split century and year number
58.         S1 = (C \ 4) - (2 * C) - 1 'century leap
59.         S2 = (5 * Y) \ 4 '4 year leap
60.         S3 = 26 * (M + 1) \ 10 'days in months
61.         WkDay = (S1 + S2 + S3 + D) MOD 7 'weekday total remainder
62.         IF WkDay < 0 THEN WkDay = WkDay + 7 'Adjust negative results to 0 to 6
63.         SELECT CASE WkDay
64.             CASE 0: day = "Sunday"
65.             CASE 1: day = "Monday"
66.             CASE 2: day = "Tuesday"
67.             CASE 3: day = "Wednesday"
68.             CASE 4: day = "Thursday"
69.             CASE 5: day = "Friday"
70.             CASE 6: day = "Saturday"
71.         END SELECT
72.         SELECT CASE M
73.             CASE 1: Moon = "January"
74.             CASE 2: Moon = "February"
75.             CASE 3: Moon = "March"
76.             CASE 4: Moon = "April"
77.             CASE 5: Moon = "May"
78.             CASE 6: Moon = "June"
79.             CASE 7: Moon = "July"
80.             CASE 8: Moon = "August"
81.             CASE 9: Moon = "September"
82.             CASE 10: Moon = "October"
83.             CASE 11: Moon = "November"
84.             CASE 12: Moon = "December"
85.         END SELECT
86.         WeekDay = day + ", " + Moon + " " + ordinal_suffix_of(LTRIM$(RTRIM$(STR$(D)))) + ", " + MID$(formatteddate, 7, 4)
87.     END FUNCTION
88.  
89.     FUNCTION check_leap_year (year AS LONG)
90.         IF year MOD 4 = 0 AND year MOD 100 <> 0 OR year MOD 400 = 0 THEN
91.             check_leap_year = 1
92.         ELSE
93.             check_leap_year = 0
94.         END IF
95.     END FUNCTION
96.  
97.     FUNCTION no_of_days_in_month (month AS LONG, year AS LONG)
98.         IF month = 1 OR month = 3 OR month = 5 OR month = 7 OR month = 8 OR month = 10 OR month = 12 THEN
99.             no_of_days_in_month = 31
100.         ELSEIF month = 4 OR month = 6 OR month = 9 OR month = 11 THEN
101.             no_of_days_in_month = 30
102.         ELSEIF month = 2 THEN
103.             DIM n AS LONG
104.             n = check_leap_year(year)
105.             IF n = 1 THEN
106.                 no_of_days_in_month = 29
107.             ELSE
108.                 no_of_days_in_month = 28
109.             END IF
110.         END IF
111.     END FUNCTION
112.  
113.     FUNCTION difference_of_days& (Date1 AS STRING, Date2 AS STRING)
114.         DIM month1
115.         DIM day1
116.         DIM year1
117.         DIM month2
118.         DIM day2
119.         DIM year2
120.  
121.         month1 = VAL(MID$(Date1, 1, 2))
122.         day1 = VAL(MID$(Date1, 4, 2))
123.         year1 = VAL(MID$(Date1, 7, 4))
124.  
125.         month2 = VAL(MID$(Date2, 1, 2))
126.         day2 = VAL(MID$(Date2, 4, 2))
127.         year2 = VAL(MID$(Date2, 7, 4))
128.  
129.         IF year1 = year2 THEN
130.             IF month1 = month2 THEN
131.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
132.                     difference_of_days = 0
133.                     EXIT FUNCTION
134.                 ELSE
135.                     difference_of_days = ABS(day1 - day2)
136.                     EXIT FUNCTION
137.                 END IF
138.             ELSEIF month1 < month2 THEN
139.                 DIM result AS LONG
140.                 DIM i
141.                 FOR i = month1 TO month2 - 1
142.                     result = result + no_of_days_in_month(i, year1)
143.                 NEXT
144.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
145.                     difference_of_days = result
146.                     EXIT FUNCTION
147.                 ELSEIF day1 < day2 THEN
148.                     result = result + (day2 - day1)
149.                     difference_of_days = result
150.                     EXIT FUNCTION
151.                 ELSE
152.                     result = result - (day1 - day2)
153.                     difference_of_days = result
154.                     EXIT FUNCTION
155.                 END IF
156.             ELSE
157.                 result = 0
158.                 FOR i = month2 TO month1 - 1
159.                     result = result + no_of_days_in_month(i, year1)
160.                 NEXT
161.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
162.                     difference_of_days = result
163.                     EXIT FUNCTION
164.                 ELSEIF day2 < day1 THEN
165.                     result = result + (day1 - day2)
166.                     difference_of_days = result
167.                     EXIT FUNCTION
168.                 ELSE
169.                     result = result - (day2 = day1)
170.                     difference_of_days = result
171.                     EXIT FUNCTION
172.                 END IF
173.             END IF
174.         ELSEIF year1 < year2 THEN
175.             DIM temp AS LONG
176.             FOR i = year1 TO year2 - 1
177.                 IF check_leap_year(i) = 1 THEN
178.                     temp = temp + 366
179.                 ELSE
180.                     temp = temp + 365
181.                 END IF
182.             NEXT
183.             IF month1 = month2 THEN
184.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
185.                     difference_of_days = temp
186.                     EXIT FUNCTION
187.                 ELSEIF day1 < day2 THEN
188.                     difference_of_days = temp + (day2 - day1)
189.                     EXIT FUNCTION
190.                 ELSE
191.                     difference_of_days = temp - (day1 - day2)
192.                     EXIT FUNCTION
193.                 END IF
194.             ELSEIF month1 < month2 THEN
195.                 result = 0
196.                 FOR i = month1 TO month2 - 1
197.                     result = result + no_of_days_in_month(i, year2)
198.                 NEXT
199.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
200.                     difference_of_days = temp + result
201.                     EXIT FUNCTION
202.                 ELSEIF day1 < day2 THEN
203.                     result = result + (day2 - day1)
204.                     difference_of_days = temp + result
205.                     EXIT FUNCTION
206.                 ELSE
207.                     result = result - (day1 - day2)
208.                     difference_of_days = temp + result
209.                     EXIT FUNCTION
210.                 END IF
211.             ELSE
212.                 result = 0
213.                 FOR i = month2 TO month1 - 1
214.                     result = result + no_of_days_in_month(i, year2)
215.                 NEXT
216.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
217.                     difference_of_days = temp - result
218.                     EXIT FUNCTION
219.                 ELSEIF day2 < day2 THEN
220.                     result = result + (day1 - day2)
221.                     difference_of_days = temp - result
222.                     EXIT FUNCTION
223.                 ELSE
224.                     result = result - (day2 - day1)
225.                     difference_of_days = temp - result
226.                     EXIT FUNCTION
227.                 END IF
228.             END IF
229.         ELSE
230.             temp = 0
231.             FOR i = year2 TO year1 - 1
232.                 IF check_leap_year(i) = 1 THEN
233.                     temp = temp + 366
234.                 ELSE
235.                     temp = temp + 365
236.                 END IF
237.             NEXT
238.             IF month1 = month2 THEN
239.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
240.                     difference_of_days = temp
241.                     EXIT FUNCTION
242.                 ELSEIF day2 < day1 THEN
243.                     difference_of_days = temp + (day1 - day2)
244.                     EXIT FUNCTION
245.                 ELSE
246.                     difference_of_days = temp - (day2 - day1)
247.                     EXIT FUNCTION
248.                 END IF
249.             ELSEIF month2 < month1 THEN
250.                 result = 0
251.                 FOR i = month2 TO month1 - 1
252.                     result = result + no_of_days_in_month(i, year1)
253.                 NEXT
254.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
255.                     difference_of_days = temp + result
256.                     EXIT FUNCTION
257.                 ELSEIF day2 < day1 THEN
258.                     result = result + (day1 - day2)
259.                     difference_of_days = temp + result
260.                     EXIT FUNCTION
261.                 ELSE
262.                     result = result - (day2 - day1)
263.                     difference_of_days = temp + result
264.                     EXIT FUNCTION
265.                 END IF
266.             ELSE
267.                 result = 0
268.                 FOR i = month1 TO month2 - 1
269.                     result = result + no_of_days_in_month(i, year1)
270.                 NEXT
271.                 IF day1 = day2 THEN
272.                     difference_of_days = temp - result
273.                     EXIT FUNCTION
274.                 ELSEIF day1 < day2 THEN
275.                     result = result + (day2 - day1)
276.                     difference_of_days = temp - result
277.                     EXIT FUNCTION
278.                 ELSE
279.                     result = result - (day1 - day2)
280.                     difference_of_days = temp - result
281.                     EXIT FUNCTION
282.                 END IF
283.             END IF
284.         END IF
285.     END FUNCTION
286.     FUNCTION ordinal_suffix_of$ (i AS STRING)
287.         DIM j
288.         DIM k
289.         j = VAL(i) MOD 10
290.         k = VAL(i) MOD 100
291.         IF j = 1 AND k <> 11 THEN
292.             ordinal_suffix_of = i + "st"
293.         ELSEIF j = 2 AND k <> 12 THEN
294.             ordinal_suffix_of = i + "nd"
295.         ELSEIF j = 3 AND k <> 13 THEN
296.             ordinal_suffix_of = i + "rd"
297.         ELSE
298.             ordinal_suffix_of = i + "th"
299.         END IF
300.     END FUNCTION
301. FUNCTION Clock$
302.     hour$ = LEFT$(TIME$, 2): H% = VAL(hour$)
303.     min$ = MID$(TIME$, 3, 3)
304.     IF H% >= 12 THEN ampm$ = " PM" ELSE ampm$ = " AM"
305.     IF H% > 12 THEN
306.         IF H% - 12 < 10 THEN hour$ = STR$(H% - 12) ELSE hour$ = LTRIM$(STR$(H% - 12))
307.     ELSEIF H% = 0 THEN hour$ = "12" ' midnight hour
308.     ELSE: IF H% < 10 THEN hour$ = STR$(H%) ' eliminate leading zeros
309.     END IF
310.     Clock$ = hour$ + min$ + ampm$
311. END FUNCTION
312.     FUNCTION String.Trim$ (trimString AS STRING)
313.         trimString = LTRIM$(RTRIM$(trimString))
314.         String.Trim = trimString
315.     END FUNCTION
316. SUB __GetNewDate
317.     IF _FILEEXISTS("GetNewDate.ps1") = 0 THEN 'remove this line if you are compiling in FreeBasic
318.         '#lang "qb" 'uncomment this line if compiling in FreeBasic
319.         DIM A$
320.         A$ = ""
321.         A$ = A$ + "haI_D5\SC334mNUjoPEYB=A\9JkFF0]8TXT54XBgFAZH?\R3^>CgJ`=>[mDe"
322.         A$ = A$ + "6#lUa1nThG0WhTX4JjR42Q?Td>n=SOck=aolkoHLDTgRd4Ph=F[Q=;5YGAg0"
323.         A$ = A$ + "T`D=2Kl_V779gYmO]D]Ag]cm3nB5M7?nf^M^Y]\m7WT8h<:bUaOlR;NE<MY0"
324.         A$ = A$ + "n0G_U:2aD1XMLOFg>mGI`BN>i:HWg\UO2H8YIEbNBlV[T9P2C9_h[Mk#<[#T"
325.         A$ = A$ + "Z`iB=?[lVl_i`\J0a`P0861E8C1#LAAhO18E[6TXXglcQLfS6M2i\AWJcJ1\"
326.         A$ = A$ + "7[WeP##TW25Q15#T9KTJ\2BOD]5jfiK5m[oKIFBgD8c3W9EkA5UQ69GbhVR6"
327.         A$ = A$ + "U5gI0S:Ph8Z:Qcn\?W97hJ:GI`kC2W:Sae1U0KA;G;g]#6AC3h:V0\<N5EX1"
328.         A$ = A$ + "knCYk]]XA73TKSAcn3[e=1Vj[T2SS75iDa83k<0V=iUKA<_K?:o:#L8aNWd>"
329.         A$ = A$ + "nLLkI^TKXcXWN2IhS?_5CmhNjC>?cBKaA=6j\95nhULZ#Nkk1mF1Nh#FmM=f"
330.         A$ = A$ + "f\9edTa<6TPEmNU>d^VE^[Ec2Xa<#lO#g6>LdoFQcblo6acVImQZVR#3AYMA"
331.         A$ = A$ + "\>2[#Z:?K;l\iLkajT_?O5aY4S7LgOdNM95jKo8cGUIU]LFg_jkSl;Mn=DI_"
332.         A$ = A$ + "mG83AUA4Mj=MJDDZIec]9^C9?dnKKh[EL4lNCfe8eR2ki=no3Z1[7Y_CeQ]F"
333.         A$ = A$ + "Z`\KT:>EGgN6amG0CUkg%%%0"
334.         DIM btemp$
335.         DIM i&
336.         DIM B$
337.         DIM C%
338.         DIM F$
339.         DIM C$
340.         DIM j
341.         DIM t%
342.         DIM B&
343.         DIM X$
344.         DIM BASFILE$
345.         btemp$ = ""
346.         FOR i& = 1 TO LEN(A$) STEP 4: B$ = MID$(A$, i&, 4)
347.             IF INSTR(1, B$, "%") THEN
348.                 FOR C% = 1 TO LEN(B$): F$ = MID$(B$, C%, 1)
349.                     IF F$ <> "%" THEN C$ = C$ + F$
350.                 NEXT: B$ = C$: END IF: FOR j = 1 TO LEN(B$)
351.                 IF MID$(B$, j, 1) = "#" THEN
352.             MID$(B$, j) = "@": END IF: NEXT
353.             FOR t% = LEN(B$) TO 1 STEP -1
354.                 B& = B& * 64 + ASC(MID$(B$, t%)) - 48
355.                 NEXT: X$ = "": FOR t% = 1 TO LEN(B$) - 1
356.                 X$ = X$ + CHR$(B& AND 255): B& = B& \ 256
357.         NEXT: btemp$ = btemp$ + X$: NEXT
358.         BASFILE$ = _INFLATE$(btemp$): btemp$ = ""
359.         OPEN "GetNewDate.ps1" FOR OUTPUT AS #1
360.         PRINT #1, BASFILE$;
361.         CLOSE #1
362.     END IF 'remove this line if you are compiling in FreeBasic
363. END SUB

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