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Batch Processing and automation

skacutter
Registered: Dec 18 2007
Posts: 13

Hello: I use the "evermap" plugin for generating a standalone batch file that was created in Adobe Acrobat Professional version 8.11. The batch file works ok and it will launch acrobat, perform the required processes then close acrobat.

PROBLEM: I have a small VB app that monitors this batch process. I am scripting the VB app to "Check shell status" and if the shell returns a zero it will kickstart the batch file again. This ensures that I am not running the batch 2x at the same time. The issue is that when acrobat closes the shell status does not return a 0 it returns a 1 (minor error occured)

Question: Does anyone know why acrobat batches close with a shell status of 1 and how do you resolve this type of issue?

Question 2: Is it possible to copy the code from acrobat generated batch files (The sequence files found under the program group) and paste them into the javascript editor window thus creating a batch file with the "Start job" and "end job" functions? Is this possible or am i pipe dreaming?

gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4308
> Question: Does anyone know why acrobat batches close with a shell status of 1 and how do you resolve this type of issue?Answer: Acrobat JavaScript always a completion status or result of the final line of code executed. 1 is the value of true.

George Kaiser

skacutter
Registered: Dec 18 2007
Posts: 13
In my VB app I tried scripting a timer such that if the acrobat batch returns a value of 1 sleep for 15 seconds then call the batch again. This still results in the batch file stacking ontop of one another. The problem here is that when a batch is called a second time and the first batch is exiting with a value of 1 the second batch causes the first batch to lock up thus everything stops and the batch file keeps being called and stacking ontop of one another.


"How does one automate the batch process outside of acrobat such that a batch is called, completes and is called again only when the first instance completes?"