# How do I launch a Processing app? launch() FIXED! (use a shortcut if a program does not launch!)

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620>\
**Category:** Coding Questions\
**Created:** [November 7, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620 "2022-11-07T19:40:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lissie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@Lissie](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Lissie)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620/1 "2022-11-07T19:40:09Z")

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how do i launch a processing app, that need contents like “data” and “lib” to open? i wanna launch a splashscreen sooo

**I just found out making a shortcut to an application works 100% fine, so if you have a script that needs to be executed by another pde sketch, just use an shortcut for the exe file!**

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**Author:** ![NumericPrime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/numericprime/32/16318_2.png) [@NumericPrime](https://discourse.processing.org/u/NumericPrime)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620/2 "2022-11-07T20:22:24Z")

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You mean something like a loading screen that is shown while some work is done in the background?

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**Author:** ![jafal](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/jafal/32/19112_2.png) [@jafal](https://discourse.processing.org/u/jafal)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 12:35am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620/3 "2022-11-08T00:35:34Z")

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Hi

> **[Reference](https://processing.org/reference/launch_.html)**
>
> Attempts to open an application or file using your platform's launcher. The filename parameter is a String specifying the file name and location. The location parameter must be a full path name…

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 12:53pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620/4 "2022-11-08T12:53:52Z")

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Hello @Lissie,

You could export a Processing sketch (splash screen) and then launch it from within your main Processing sketch.

This may also suit your needs:

> [@Closing a second window](https://discourse.processing.org/t/closing-a-second-window/381/2):
>
> This did the trick for me: PWindow win; public void settings() { size(320, 240); } void setup() { surface.setLocation(20,20); win = new PWindow(); } void draw() { background(255, 0, 0); fill(255); rect(10, 10, frameCount, 10); } void mousePressed() { println("mousePressed in primary window"); if(win == null) win = new PWindow(); } class PWindow extends PApplet { PWindow() { super(); PApplet.runSketch(new String[] {this.getClass().getSimpleName()}, this); } …

Read the entire topic for insights.  
_It will need some modifications on your part._

`:)`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lissie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@Lissie](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Lissie)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 1:26pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620/5 "2022-11-08T13:26:20Z")

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i tried that, it sadly doesnt work. i actually dont know why

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 1:33pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-i-launch-a-processing-app-launch-fixed-use-a-shortcut-if-a-program-does-not-launch/39620/6 "2022-11-08T13:33:42Z")

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This may give you some insight:

> [@Making a Game "Launcher"](https://discourse.processing.org/t/making-a-game-launcher/22281/4):
>
> Thanks again! The solution here worked: I made it so it launches when I click a button but it launches my application 2-5 times depending on how long the mouse stays on the button after clicking. It looks like it is a problem with my button. Here is my full code: //PFont zigBlack; int b1f = 140; int b2f = 140; int b3f = 140; int b4f = 140; int v1f = 200; boolean versions = false; boolean credits = false; boolean controls = false; void setup() { size(1200,600); //zigBlack = createFont…

The example above builds the batch file.  
You could just create it manually if you know your paths.

`:)`