PRB: SYS(2004) From .EXE Returns .ESL Directory

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0
• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5x, 2.6x

SYMPTOMS

When run from an executable file (.EXE) outside of the FoxPro development environment, the SYS(2004) command returns the directory containing the FOXW<nnnn>.ESL file if the .ESL file is not located in the same directory as the .EXE.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

When an .EXE created with the FoxPro for Windows Distribution Kit is run, it must access the .ESL support library. Since the .ESL file is rather large, it can be helpful to use a single common .ESL for several .EXE files. It is permissible to place the .ESL in a directory other than the directory which contains the .EXE as long as the .ESL file is in the MS-DOS path. However, after following this approach the SYS(2004) command will return the .ESL directory instead of the directory containing the .EXE.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create a new project.

2. Add a one-line program to the project that contains the command:

         WAIT WINDOW SYS(2004)
   

3. Build an .EXE from the project.

4. Move the .ESL file to a directory in the MS-DOS path (such as C:\DOS) other than the directory which contains the .EXE.

   NOTE: Type "! PATH" in the Command window to display the MS-DOS path.

5. Quit FoxPro and run the .EXE.

Note: The SYS(2004) command returns the FoxPro directory if run from an .EXE within the development environment.

For more information about this topic under Visual FoxPro, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q133246
   TITLE     : How to Install VFP300.ESL in a Distributed Application

   ARTICLE-ID: Q133143
   TITLE     : PRB: VFP300.ESL Goes in System Directory, Not App's
               Directory