in reply to reading a value out of a program

The answer can be "yes", no" or "perhaps". There is just not enough information to work with. Many programs have an API which allows you to access certain functions of that program. Many MS programs running under the Windows OS can be accessed through the Win32::OLE module. A good start to look around would be to search on CPAN if there is any module with the name of your program.

CountZero

A program should be light and agile, its subroutines connected like a string of pearls. The spirit and intent of the program should be retained throughout. There should be neither too little or too much, neither needless loops nor useless variables, neither lack of structure nor overwhelming rigidity." - The Tao of Programming, 4.1 - Geoffrey James

My blog: Imperial Deltronics

In Section Seekers of Perl Wisdom