Running a program from a program?

[Fred_Tunare]

I'm very new to all this, and could use 3 nice bits of information:

1. Where can i download a nice (free) compiler?

2. what should i use to program in windows?

3. Can someone show me a sample of a script that tells the computer to run a program? like run notepad.exe or something?

what i want to do is compile a program script that allows me to open multiple programs with a time interval between them so i can just automate what i do every day instead of sitting there and doing it manually.... i need to be able to open a program, then wait like 5 mins then open another program..... if this is possible i'd appreciate any info. THANKS!

Fred~~

[PeejAvery]

1. Compiler will depend on what language you want to use.

2. Visual Basic is simple and interacts well with Windows.

3. There are a multitude of ways to do this in Visual Basic...
Private Sub Form_Load()
shell "c:\windows\notepad.exe"
End Sub
Or...

ShellExecute (http://www.mentalis.org/apilist/ShellExecute.shtml)

Or...

ShellExecuteEx (http://www.mentalis.org/apilist/ShellExecuteEx.shtml)

[Fred_Tunare]

thanks! I'd like to use a compiler that works with visual basics and one that allows me to write code in Notepad.exe and then open it with a simple compiler that will turn it into a .exe file. Thanks a TON!

[PeejAvery]

Depending on the version, Visual Basic has its own compiler. Just go to "File"..."Make EXE" and if that isn't greyed out, compile it.