TaskWindow usage notes

CLI Basics

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» TaskWindow usage notes

Introduction

The TaskWindow is a way of issuing *Commands from the Desktop. It is usually invoked via the Task Manager menu, or by pressing Ctrl-F12.

Restrictions

• Some *Commands cannot be used from a TaskWindow. For example:
  • *WimpMode – doesn’t work
  • *Spool – produces unexpected output

• Don’t close the window (or try to use “Kill” from the TaskWindow menu) while a *Command is still running. This can lead to internal errors, necessitating a reboot. See Closing a TaskWindow below.

• Don’t try to start a desktop application from the TaskWindow command line. It won’t work, and to add insult to injury the error message(s) you get won’t be particularly informative.

• Other desktop applications and tasks may be delayed when a *Command is running. For example, if *Copy is being used to transfer a large file onto slow media, it may be difficult to use Filer windows for the duration of the copy.

This list is not exhaustive. Other restrictions may exist.

Closing a TaskWindow

The recommended method of closing a TaskWindow from the desktop is:

1. Wait for any *Commands to finish.
2. If you are at the BASIC > prompt, type QUIT to exit from BASIC.
3. When the * prompt is displayed, click MENU and choose “Kill”.¹
4. Close the window.

If you forget to use “Kill”, you will get an error message “Task active in this window”.

¹ This step is not necessary for TaskWindows called with the “-quit” parameter (e.g. those started by a TaskObey file).

Further reading

• TaskWindow in the Programmer’s Reference Manual