If the program you want to start is associate with the filetype of the file you want it to load, then a simple 

system 'path\to\file.ext';

[download]

will start the default application for that filetype, passing it the filename via it's command line.

The perl script will not wait for the program started to end if it is a GUI app. All the usual caveats about backslashes, spaces in pathnames etc., apply. This is an implicit 'start' command being issued by cmd.exe, and you should read the help for that command for further info.

If you want to open a file in a particular application, which is not the current default for that filetype, then you will have to use both the command and the filename on the command line in the normal way.

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
Lingua non convalesco, consenesco et abolesco. -- Rule 1 has a caveat! -- Who broke the cabal?
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

In reply to Re: open programs with a particular file! by BrowserUk
in thread open programs with a particular file! by comet85

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