how can I launch/pass a value to a Windows C# application from a web page? (it seems possible with song links to iTunes)???

Question

Hi,

I'm putting together a C# winforms application, and it would be good to be able to have the ability for someone to click on a webpage link that automatically maximizes my c# application and passes some data to it. Pretty much like I see some webpages have a song link that automatically opens iTunes, and then in iTunes it searches for the song details you passed.

Q1 - How does one do this in HTML/Javascript?

Q2 - Does this approach only work on certain browsers?

Q3 - Would this only work on Windows? (I just need it for windows myself)

Thanks

Answer 1

You would have to associate a new file type with your C# application. The web page could "launch" such a file by downloading it.

I believe you'd have to pass parameters by writing them to the file to be downloaded.

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It's true that there would be a "run or save" prompt, but aside from that, I think this would be the simplest method, and the one that would be easiest to maintain.

Answer 2

My first reaction would be that you'd have to create some kind of browser plugin first, that would act as the middle man between your javascript and your C# application. This is because website javascript and other code is run in a limited security context and cannot access priviliged resources, such as other applications, named pipes, tcp ports, etc.

Answer 3

You can register a URL protocol handler (see) which allows you specify a unique URL protocol and you can make clickable links in web pages which will spawn a new application passing the complete URL. Be careful though because this mechanism has been mis-implemented a number of times which can expose you to exploitation.

Also browsers will normally warn you if you are trying to use one of these odd URLs. And this will only work on Windows (but there are alternatives on other OSes).