can I call dosbox from inside matlab?

I have an ancient piece of software that I am currently forced to deal with. It runs in dosbox (32-bit emulation) on my 64-bit machine. Can I call dosbox from inside matlab and then send commands to the dos prompt? If I can call dosbox, I might be able to have matlab write a.bat file that could then run.

I don't even have an idea how to get started, but I thought someone might.

Thanks

Answer 1

[grapevine]

I guess these discussions can help you

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/11568

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/newsreader/view_thread/159156

good luck

Answer 2

[Jason Ross]

Does command line redirection to pass an input file via the system command work?

Reference : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490982.aspx e.g.

myexe.exe < c:\temp\inputs.txt

You should be able to see if the "<" operator works outside of MATLAB to provide the input to dosbox, then get it working in a regular command shell, then a system() command in MATLAB where you put what works in command shell.

You can also try generating the inputs.txt file in MATLAB before you run it if you need to change inputs.

Another option -- if you call a 32-bit command shell (on 64-bit, this is in c:\windows\SysWoW64\cmd.exe) can you bypass dosbox and access your program? You might be able to eliminate at least one layer of redirection.

[Matthew]

Sorry everyone, your response notifications were getting spammed. I will try to get at this soon. Alas Jason, the program will not run in a 32-bit command shell. A very sad circumstance.