Getting a Windows batch file to execute an application in background and then execute the next statement

Question

I am having issue trying to get my Windows batch file to launch the Jetty web server in the background and then launch IE. The current behavior is that after it started my Jetty web server, it doesn't return to launch IE. It simply stuck there until I terminate the web server and then batch script will then proceed and launch IE.

Here's my batch script

SET JAVA_HOME=".\openjdk-1.8.0.141"
SET JETTY_HOME=".\jetty-distribution-9.4.6.v20170531"

start /B cd /d "%~dp0" & %JAVA_HOME%\bin\javaw -DSTOP.PORT=8081 -DSTOP.KEY=stop_jetty -Djetty.base=%JETTY_HOME% -jar %JETTY_HOME%\start.jar

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" http://localhost:8080/foo-tools

Can you spot anything obvious here? I already used the 'start /B' to attempt to launch it in the background. I have to change directory back to the current working directory, otherwise the variable that I set will not work.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Why not simplify things and stipulate the script path with the START 's /D <Path> parameter?

SET "JAVA_HOME=openjdk-1.8.0.141"
SET "JETTY_HOME=jetty-distribution-9.4.6.v20170531"

START "" /D "%~dp0" "%JAVA_HOME%\bin\javaw" -DSTOP.PORT=8081 -DSTOP.KEY=stop_jetty -Djetty.base="%JETTY_HOME%" -jar "%JETTY_HOME%\start.jar"

START "" "%PROGRAMFILES%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" http://localhost:8080/foo-tools

I missed off START 's /B parameter because it was my understanding that javaw.exe doesn't open a CMD window anyhow. If my understanding is incorrect then please add it back just before "%JAVA_HOME% .

The START command for IE is only really necessary if you need the script again or don't want the cmd window to remain open.