wpf detects if another software is opened

Question

I have a WPF program that needs to detect if another software is opened or not. If it is opened, my program will connect to it automatically:

private void Window_Loaded(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    if(!DataModel.IsConnected)
    {
      connect();
    }
}

However, in this way it can only build connection when that software is opened before I run the WPF window. If I want the WPF program can always detect if the software is open - even if the software is opened after I run the WPF window.

I don't think it's a duplicate, connect() appears to be working. It just needs to be rewritten to loop until successful. — danielmcn, Oct 25 '17 at 09:29
@dannymc18 That's exactly what that question answers - how to check if the application is running or not — Camilo Terevinto, Oct 25 '17 at 09:31

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 25 '17 at 09:34

1

You either need to call the connect() method regularly, for example using a timer, or have the other application notify your WPF application at regular intervals.

Here is a basic example that should give you the idea. It calls the connect() method once the window has been loaded and if the method returns false, it starts a timer that calls the method again every 1.5 seconds until the method returns true.

System.Timers.Timer _timer;
private void Window_Loaded(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    if (!connect())
    {
        //start a timer that calls connect() at regular intervals until it returns true.
        _timer = new System.Timers.Timer(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(1.5).TotalMilliseconds);
        _timer.Elapsed += Timer_Elapsed;
    }

}

private void Timer_Elapsed(object sender, System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs e)
{
    if (connect())
    {
        _timer.Stop();
        _timer.Dispose();
    }
}

answered Oct 25 '17 at 09:34

mm8

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also don't forget the dispatchertimer case you want to do changes on the ui thread – Xeorge Xeorge Oct 25 '17 at 09:39
1

True, but why would a connect method modify any UI elements? – mm8 Oct 25 '17 at 09:41
someone would want a loading seeking bar or an error message if the connection fails. – Xeorge Xeorge Oct 25 '17 at 09:45
1

This has nothing to do with the original question nor the answer. – mm8 Oct 25 '17 at 09:45
Thanks. It is a good way to use timer. Could the parameters in Timer_Elapsed() function be got rid off? – water Oct 25 '17 at 10:05
No, these are part of the signature. You could just ignore them though. – mm8 Oct 25 '17 at 10:05

wpf detects if another software is opened

1 Answers1