Handling Files, Datasources, and the Network
Activating Chromeleon from an External Program

Use command lines (Start > Run or Windows Command Prompt) if you want to use Chromeleon data in an external program (however, with a reduced Chromeleon functionality). In this way, you can open, for example, chromatograms, and print or export sample or sequence data.

 Tip: 

Only experienced programmers should use this special option, for example, when developing a LIMS interface. Before you use any of the commands listed below, Dionex recommends that you review this topic and the topic  Activating Chromeleon from an External Program: Options thoroughly to obtain full understanding of the commands.

The syntax for using Chromeleon data is as follows:

Cm.exe <Command> <Object> <Options>

 Tip: 

Do not omit the spaces before and after <Command>.

Commands

The following commands are available:

• /Open: Opens a window with the corresponding Chromeleon object. If you do not specify a command, this command is used.

• /Batchreport (in short: /BR): Starts the Batch Report of the indicated Chromeleon object. The command is available for sequences and sample objects only.

• /Panels: Opens a default panel tabset for the indicated timebase.

Chromeleon Objects

As Chromeleon objects, you can use either

a) A system path; that is a Backup file (= *.cmb) or a LIMS Worklist file (= *.wle), such as

C:\Chromel\Cm.exe /Open D:\CM_Data\Mail_Files\GS50.CMB

or

b) A Chromeleon Object Moniker. The syntax for the object moniker is as follows:

TTT::DSN\PATH\OBJID

Where:

• TTT is the object's file extension (see below).

• DSN is the name of the datasource where the object is stored.

• PATH is the entire path indicating where the object is stored. (If the object is stored in a sequence, add .SEQ as file extension.)

• OBJID is the name or number of the object.

Files with the following extensions can be used:

• Datasource (in short: DSN); <Path> is empty. <Name> is the name of the datasource. Example: DSN::CM_local
  The /Open command opens the Chromeleon Browser and selects the associated datasource.

• Directory (DIR)
  Example: DIR::CM_local\Project_1\Sequences
  The /Open command opens the Chromeleon Browser and selects the associated directory in the data tree.

• Sequence (SEQ)
  Example: SEQ::CM_local\Project_1\Sequences\TestSequence
  The /Open command opens the Chromeleon Browser and selects the associated sequence in the data tree. The /Batchreport command starts the Batch Report for the indicated sequence.

• PGM File (PGM)
  Example: PGM::CM_local\Project_1\Sequences\TestSequence.SEQ\TestProgram
  The /Open command opens the PGM Editor for the selected PGM File. (Also, refer to Control  PGM Editor in the User Help section.)

• QNT Method (QNT)
  Example: QNT::CM_local\Project_1\Sequences\TestSequence.SEQ\TestQNT
  The /Open command opens the QNT Editor for the selected QNT File.

• Report Definition File (RDF)
  Example: RDF::CM_local\Reports\Default
  The /Open command opens the Printer Layout for the selected report definition file.

• Spectra Library (LIB)
  Example: LIB::CM_local\Speclibs\PDA_HIRES
  The /Open command opens the associated spectra library.

• Sample (SMP)
  Example: SMP::CM_local\Sequences\TestSequence.SEQ\1
  The /Open command opens the sample in the same way as if double-clicking the sample in the Browser. However, in this case, the Name is not the sample name or the sample number but the raw data number, which may be different from the sample number. The raw data number is usually invisible. You can display the raw data number via the Report Data ID report variable of the Sample category. The formula for the raw data number is: smp.id.
  The /Batchreport command starts the batch report for the indicated sample.

• Audit Trail (SLG)
  Example 1: SLG::CM_local\Sequences\TestSequence.SEQ\Audit.log\1 Example 2: SLG::CM_local\Timebase_1\Audit\20010111
  The /Open command opens either the Audit Trail for the indicated sample (example 1) or the Daily Audit Trail from the indicated directory. The raw data number defines the sample as required (also, refer to Sample (SMP) above).

• Control Panel (PAN)
  Example: PAN::CM_local\Panels\Summit
  The /Open command opens the control panel for the indicated file.

• Workspace (WSP)
  Example: WSP::CM_local\Workspaces\Default
  The /Open command opens the associated workspace.

• Query (QRF)
  Example: "QRF::CM_local\Queries\All samples of the current week"
  The /Opencommand opens the associated query in the Browser.
  Because of the spaces in the path, the argument must be in quotation marks.

• SOR File (SOR)
  Example: SOR::CM_local\Sequences\TestSequence.SEQ\SignedResults
  The /Open command opens the signed Printer Layout pages of the indicated sequence.

A complete command line for starting the batch report for a sequence called TestSequence could look as follows:

C:\Chromel\Cm.exe /BR SEQ::CM_DS\Sequences\TestSequence

 Tip: 

If the functionality of these command line arguments is not sufficient for your application, the SDK (Software Development Kit) will certainly provide a solution for your application requirements.