Subject id from .txt file

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peppo Posted: 02-17-2010 7:10 AM

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Hi everyone,

I'm trying to string together different experiments (authorware and inquisit), with inquisit coming last. I want inquisit to use an id number that was specified earlier in the experiment.

I've tried to use authorware to start inquisit with an id number like this:

"C:\.......\script.exe 22"

but this way every participant in inquisit gets the same number. I can't get the subject id variable between the "" in authorware..

Perhaps it is possible to start inquisit with a subject id read from a text file? That way I could have authorware create a .txt with the subject id, and have inquisit read that file..

Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

Cheers,

Peppo.

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Dave replied on 02-17-2010 7:35 AM

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Authorware should be able to append a variable (i.e. the id collected earlier) to a batch call. I'd try something like

JumpOut("C:\Program Files\Millisecond Software\Inquisit 3\Inquisit.exe", "C:\Experiments\MyExperiment.exp"; VariableNameToPass)

where 'VariableNameToPass' is the variable that holds the participant ID collected earlier.

If this doesn't work, I'd create a simple Windows text file containing the following line

"C:\Program Files\Millisecond Software\Inquisit 3\Inquisit.exe" "C:\Experiments\MyExperiment.exp" %1

and save it as 'startexp.bat' in the same direcory as the Authorware file. Then the first command would simplify to

JumpOut(FileLocation^"\\startexp.bat"; VariableNameToPass)

Some useful links:

• http://livedocs.adobe.com/authorware/7/using_aw_en/wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/wwhelp.htm?context=Using_Authorware_7&file=16_fu198.htm
• http://sites.google.com/site/lakens2/AuthorwareGuideForReseachers2.3.pdf?attredirects=0
• http://www.millisecond.com/support/docs/v3/html/articles/batchscripts.htm
• http://www.millisecond.com/community/forums/t/960.aspx

Once you've worked out a solution, please post it here. Others will appreciate it.

~Dave

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peppo replied on 02-17-2010 8:34 AM

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Hi Dave,

thanks for the reply! :D I used the .bat to get it to work! :)

I almost figured it out myself, except that I used this:

JumpOut("\\startexp.bat"; VariableNameToPass)

Which didn't work, now I've just used the following (difference is in the two backslashes, which Is stupid anyway :p):

JumpOut("startexp.bat"; VariableNameToPass)

(the .bat is in the same directory..)

Thanks a lot!

Cheers, Peppo

so, a recap on the solution for future readers:

• create a .bat file (using notepad) which contains the program and script, and %1, like so:
  • "C:\Program Files\Millisecond Software\Inquisit 3\Inquisit.exe" "C:\Experiments\MyExperiment.exp" %1
• Save this as startexp.bat and use this to start your inquisit experiment in authorware (or other software for that matter..)
• Save the subject id in a variable (in this example: VariableNameToPass)
• line to start in authorware:
  • JumpOut(FileLocation^"\\startexp.bat"; VariableNameToPass)

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Dave replied on 02-17-2010 8:59 AM

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Great! And thanks for posting a detailed outline of your solution -- I'm sure other users will find this very helpful.

Best wishes from a fellow Inquisit user,

~Dave