Synchronous Processing Basics

[JasonSelf]

I found that the basis for all of the problems that I am having are due to not having SendStringToExecute act as a synchronous process.  I have attempted a number of things in order to remedy this but I keep falling short.  I have read a number of things about acedCommand or acedCmd with the hope that they will remedy my problem, however I havent the slightest idea how to use them.  I have read a number of people referencing some code or a method by Tony Tanzillo, I can't find that anywhere either.

On a side note:  I have been trying to understand the Interop or P/Invoke abilities of .net (vb in my case) and I can't seem to find any good explinations or how-to's on the matter....I have struggled to even find good print material.  I would greatly appreciate a kick in the right direction.

Thanks,
Jason Self

[arcticad]

// CommandLine.cs  Copyright (c) 2006  www.caddzone.com
//
// Original source location:
//
// 	http://www.caddzone.com/CommandLine.cs
//
// LICENSE:
//
// This software may not be published or reproduced in any
// form, without the express written consent of CADDZONE.COM
//
// Fair use:
//
// Permission to use this software in object code form, for
// private software development purposes, and without fee is
// hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice
// appears in all copies and that both that copyright notice
// and limited warranty and restricted rights notice below
// appear in all supporting documentation.
//
// CADDZONE.COM PROVIDES THIS PROGRAM "AS IS" AND WITH ALL FAULTS.
// CADDZONE.COM SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
// MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE.  CADDZONE.COM
// DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE
// UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE.
//
// Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to
// restrictions set forth in FAR 52.227-19 (Commercial Computer
// Software - Restricted Rights) and DFAR 252.227-7013(c)(1)(ii)
// (Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software), as applicable.

using System;
using System.Security;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime;
using System.Collections;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput;
using AcadApp = Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application;
using System.Collections.Generic;

namespace CaddZone.ApplicationServices
{
	[SuppressUnmanagedCodeSecurity]
	public static class CommandLine
	{
		const string ACAD_EXE = "acad.exe";

		const short RTSTR = 5005;
		const short RTNORM = 5100;
		const short RTNONE = 5000;
		const short RTREAL = 5001;
		const short RT3DPOINT = 5009;
		const short RTLONG = 5010;
		const short RTSHORT = 5003;
		const short RTENAME = 5006;
		const short RTPOINT = 5002;      /*2D point X and Y only */

		static Dictionary<Type, short> resTypes = new Dictionary<Type, short>();

		static CommandLine()
		{
			resTypes[typeof( string )] = RTSTR;
			resTypes[typeof( double )] = RTREAL;
			resTypes[typeof( Point3d )] = RT3DPOINT;
			resTypes[typeof( ObjectId )] = RTENAME;
			resTypes[typeof( Int32 )] = RTLONG;
			resTypes[typeof( Int16 )] = RTSHORT;
			resTypes[typeof( Point2d )] = RTPOINT;
		}

		static TypedValue TypedValueFromObject( Object val )
		{
			if( val == null )
				throw new ArgumentException( "null not permitted as command argument" );
			short code = -1;
			if( resTypes.TryGetValue( val.GetType(), out code ) && code > 0 )
				return new TypedValue( code, val );
			throw new InvalidOperationException( "Unsupported type in Command() method" );
		}

		public static int Command( params object[] args )
		{
			if( AcadApp.DocumentManager.IsApplicationContext )
				throw new InvalidCastException( "Invalid execution context" );
			int stat = 0;
			int cnt = 0;
			using( ResultBuffer buffer = new ResultBuffer() )
			{
				foreach( object o in args )
				{
					buffer.Add( TypedValueFromObject( o ) );
					++cnt;
				}
				if( cnt > 0 )
				{
					stat = acedCmd( buffer.UnmanagedObject );
				}
			}
			return stat;
		}

		[DllImport( "acad.exe", CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl )]
		extern static int acedCmd( IntPtr resbuf );

	}

	public class Examples
	{
		// Sample member functions that use the Command() method.

		public static int ZoomExtents()
		{
			return CommandLine.Command( "._ZOOM", "_E" );
		}

		public static int ZoomCenter( Point3d center, double height )
		{
			return CommandLine.Command( "._ZOOM", "_C", center, height );
		}

		public static int ZoomWindow( Point3d corner1, Point3d corner2 )
		{
			return CommandLine.Command( "._ZOOM", "_W", corner1, corner2 );
		}
	}

}

[Alexander.Rivilis]

What's the question? Synchronously run a command? Tony Tanzillo Command() extension method