Knowledge Base

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

Article ID: 125044

Article Last Modified on 9/30/2003

Microsoft Visual FoxPro 3.0 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q125044

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

Create a new project.
Add a one-line program to the project that contains the command:
```
      WAIT WINDOW SYS(2004)
```
Build an .EXE from the project.
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.
Quit FoxPro and run the .EXE.

Note that the WAIT WINDOW SYS(2004) returns the directory location of the .ESL file rather than the directory containing the .EXE file.

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:

133246 How to Install VFP300.ESL in a Distributed Application

133143 PRB: VFP300.ESL Goes in System Directory, Not App's Directory

Additional query words: VFoxWin FoxWin 2.50 2.50a 2.50b 2.60 2.60a

Keywords: KB125044