Using VC++ to execute a shell extension

Question

I'm working on a function to convert input files for my app to .ly files for use with LilyPond. What I would like to do in the conversion routine is go ahead and generate the PDF of the music. If I were to do this myself, I would double click the .ly file or I would right click the file and select "Generate PDF." I hoped that using ShellExecuteEx on the file would work the same as double clicking the file, but it doesn't. Is there a way in VC++ (VStudio 2008) to execute the "Generate PDF" as found in the context menu in Windows Explorer?

Answer 1

You need to use the proper verb in the lpVerb member of the SHELLEXECUTEINFO structure.

Here is how you find the right verb.