Delete using recycle bin - GameCreators Forum

Author

Message

Ben_UK78

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Jul 2010

Location:

Posted: 9th Jan 2012 01:29

Link

Hi all,

Is there a method for deleting files and folders to the recycle bin, not just erasing them permanently.

Can this be done using a windows dll call if not using a DP command?

Thanks for any help.

Back to top

Profile PM Email

zenassem

23

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Mar 2003

Location: Long Island, NY

Posted: 9th Jan 2012 02:52 Edited at: 9th Jan 2012 02:59

Link

There's a free utility for the win CMD line called Recycle.exe. This is needed because AFAIK there is no Microsoft cmd/DOS command that doesn't delete the file permanently,, making use of the recycle bin.

http://www.watchingthenet.com/send-deleted-files-to-the-recycle-bin-when-using-windows-command-prompt.html

I assume you could download and extract recycle.exe (there are other utils in the zip). Then execute Recycle.exe from within your program via the "execute file" command.

This is just a theory, I haven't actually tried it myself.

~ZENassem

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Kevin Picone

23

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 27th Aug 2002

Location: Australia

Posted: 9th Jan 2012 07:01 Edited at: 9th Jan 2012 07:02

Link

There's API function that will delete to the recycle bin...

Here's an article (for Visual Basic 6, but you should be able to convert)
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/vb6-tip-deleting-files-to-the-recycle-bin-from-within-a-vb6-application/5439292

Learn BASIC Game Programming

Back to top

Profile PM Website

Ben_UK78

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Jul 2010

Location:

Posted: 9th Jan 2012 09:03

Link

That was the last page I looked at before posting this post, so at last I know I was on the right track.

Thanks very much. I'll have a crack at that method (thanks also for the above info about the external exe file, but I'll have a go at the windows call before resorting to external exe files).

If successful I will post the code here later.

(So if your reading this in 2 years time and there is no code - I failed)

Back to top

Profile PM Email

WickedX

17

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 8th Feb 2009

Location: A Mile High

Posted: 9th Jan 2012 22:41

Link

Here is a single function plug-in I just worked up.The source code is include. To use; copy the dll file to your compiler\plugins-user folder and use Recycle "filename" in dark basic.

Back to top

Profile PM Email

WickedX

17

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 8th Feb 2009

Location: A Mile High

Posted: 9th Jan 2012 23:39

Link

This dll works the same, only without the confirmation window.

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Ben_UK78

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Jul 2010

Location:

Posted: 10th Jan 2012 03:14

Link

Thanks.

Ive tried using Shell32.dll and it's being a pain.

I've got it to delete, but it seems oddly directory dependant. Copying the project exe file and a test file around the hard disk it works to a point (up to 'The Game Creators' for example) and then stops working with SHFileOperation returning code 124. - an invalid path.

Is there something special about get dir() and using this to build a string that would make it work in one part of the directory structure and not another - I can't imagine what it would be. SHFileOperation demands double null terminated strings, but if it works in some locations then it can't be that?? I removed the read only flag from The Game Creators directory, but to no avail.

WickedX - do you have keyword files etc for your plugin. I've put it in the plugin folder, and DP complied the project, but it didn't do anything?

Back to top

Profile PM Email

WickedX

17

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 8th Feb 2009

Location: A Mile High

Posted: 10th Jan 2012 04:00

Link

Ok found the problem, use full paths. I should probably put this though some more tests, to see how it works deleting multiple file and such. I’ll check it out and post something tomorrow. Attached is the keyword file.

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Ben_UK78

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Jul 2010

Location:

Posted: 10th Jan 2012 04:41

Link

Sadly it has the same error as my shell32.dll code.

If I give the string address myself (g_TESTFile$ = "C:\Test\Test1.txt") then it works fine

g_TESTFile$ = g_autodir_full_directory_path$ + "\TestText.txt"
make file g_TESTFile$
Recycle g_TESTFile$

Fails.

My own code does too though using this sort of thing:

`****************** DLL CONSTANT DEFINITIONS *******************
#constant c_Shell32DLL 10 :` Shell32.dll load number
load Dll "Shell32.dll", c_Shell32DLL
`***************************************************************

global g_autodir_full_directory_path$ as string : g_autodir_full_directory_path$ = get dir$()
global g_TESTFile$ as string : g_TESTFile$ = g_autodir_full_directory_path$ + "\TestText.txt"

`#Constant FO_DELETE &H3
`#Constant FOF_ALLOWUNDO &H40
 
Type SHFILEOPTSTRUCT_type
  hWnd As dword
  wFunc As dword
  pFrom$ As String
  pTo As String
  fFlags As integer
  fAnyOperationsAborted As dword
  hNameMappings As dword
  lpszProgressTitle As dword
EndType
Dim fop(0) As SHFILEOPTSTRUCT_type

fop(0).wFunc = 0x0003
  fop(0).pFrom$ = g_TESTFile$
  fop(0).fFlags = 0x0040

Main_Code()
end

function Main_Code()

cls
  print "Delete to Recycle Bin - V N.x"
  print
  print "  File Creation"
  
    if file exist(g_TESTFile$) = 1
      delete file g_TESTFile$
    endif
    make file g_TESTFile$
  if file exist(g_TESTFile$) = 1
    print "    Test File : Found"
  else
    print "    Test File : ERROR"
  endif
  
  Recycle g_TESTFile$
  
  l_Return = lib_Delete_To_RecycleBin()
  
  print
  print "  Function Return"
  print "  : " + str$(l_Return)
  print right$(g_TESTFile$,55)
  
  print
  if file exist(g_TESTFile$) = 1
    print "ERROR: File Still Exists"
  else
    print "Success!!!!"
  endif

wait key
  end

endfunction

function lib_Delete_To_RecycleBin()

l_DelResult = call dll(c_Shell32DLL, "SHFileOperation", fop(0))
  
endfunction l_DelResult

+ Code Snippet

`****************** DLL CONSTANT DEFINITIONS *******************
#constant c_Shell32DLL 10 :` Shell32.dll load number
load Dll "Shell32.dll", c_Shell32DLL
`***************************************************************

global g_autodir_full_directory_path$ as string : g_autodir_full_directory_path$ = get dir$()
global g_TESTFile$ as string : g_TESTFile$ = g_autodir_full_directory_path$ + "\TestText.txt"


`#Constant FO_DELETE &H3
`#Constant FOF_ALLOWUNDO &H40
 
Type SHFILEOPTSTRUCT_type
  hWnd As dword
  wFunc As dword
  pFrom$ As String
  pTo As String
  fFlags As integer
  fAnyOperationsAborted As dword
  hNameMappings As dword
  lpszProgressTitle As dword
EndType
Dim fop(0) As SHFILEOPTSTRUCT_type

  fop(0).wFunc = 0x0003
  fop(0).pFrom$ = g_TESTFile$
  fop(0).fFlags = 0x0040
  

Main_Code()
end

function Main_Code()

  cls
  print "Delete to Recycle Bin - V N.x"
  print
  print "  File Creation"
  
    if file exist(g_TESTFile$) = 1
      delete file g_TESTFile$
    endif
    make file g_TESTFile$
  if file exist(g_TESTFile$) = 1
    print "    Test File : Found"
  else
    print "    Test File : ERROR"
  endif
  
  Recycle g_TESTFile$
  
  l_Return = lib_Delete_To_RecycleBin()
  
  print
  print "  Function Return"
  print "  : " + str$(l_Return)
  print right$(g_TESTFile$,55)
  
  print
  if file exist(g_TESTFile$) = 1
    print "ERROR: File Still Exists"
  else
    print "Success!!!!"
  endif    

  wait key
  end

endfunction

function lib_Delete_To_RecycleBin()

  l_DelResult = call dll(c_Shell32DLL, "SHFileOperation", fop(0))
  
endfunction l_DelResult

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Ben_UK78

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Jul 2010

Location:

Posted: 10th Jan 2012 04:55

Link

I should say the obvious, since it might just be a simple mistake above - the .txt names are from my multiple attempts. Its not just that I got the filename wrong! A

Back to top

Profile PM Email

WickedX

17

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 8th Feb 2009

Location: A Mile High

Posted: 12th Jan 2012 03:39 Edited at: 12th Jan 2012 03:40

Link

After some research it boils down to two things. Passing the function, string literals worked on Windows XP and Windows 7 just fine. Windows 7 and I presume Windows Vista don’t like DBPro strings. From what I’ve read the problem was double NULL terminated strings and not filling the rest of SHFILEOPSTRUCT struct with NULL values. Attached is the new plug-in with source. I have tested this on both systems; it appears to function as expected.

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Ben_UK78

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 10th Jul 2010

Location:

Posted: 12th Jan 2012 04:07

Link

Ah, fantastic. Worked like a charm. I recommend that plugin.

For anyone interested the windows shell32 code is supplied below.
It is a pain though. Testing it it will work in some folders and not in others. It might be being picky about double null termination and so working some of the time and not others, but I think it is more down to security - or at least giving the program administrator access would work in many folders tested, but not all.

For ease I recommend the plug-in above.

+ Code Snippet

`****************** DLL CONSTANT DEFINITIONS *******************
#constant c_Shell32DLL 10 :` Shell32.dll load number
load Dll "Shell32.dll", c_Shell32DLL
`***************************************************************

global g_autodir_full_directory_path$ as string : g_autodir_full_directory_path$ = get dir$()
global g_TESTFile$ as string : g_TESTFile$ = g_autodir_full_directory_path$ + "\TestText.txt"


Type SHFILEOPTSTRUCT_type
  hWnd As dword
  wFunc As dword
  pFrom$ As String
  pTo As String
  fFlags As integer
  fAnyOperationsAborted As dword
  hNameMappings As dword
  lpszProgressTitle As dword
EndType
Dim fop(0) As SHFILEOPTSTRUCT_type
fop(0).wFunc = 0x0003
fop(0).pFrom$ = g_TESTFile$ 
fop(0).fFlags = 0x0040

l_DelResult = call dll(c_Shell32DLL, "SHFileOperation", fop(0))

Back to top

Profile PM Email

WickedX

17

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 8th Feb 2009

Location: A Mile High

Posted: 12th Jan 2012 04:24 Edited at: 12th Jan 2012 04:25

Link

I was thinking this was one of those things DBPro's DLL commands wouldn’t be able to handle, but you did it.

Good Job.

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Sorry your browser is not supported!

DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / Delete using recycle bin