running a process in the background

[Chris Sheffield]

How is this done, or can it be done?  Or maybe this isn't even the  
right question.

Here's what I'm trying to do.  I have a handler that generates a set  
of reports for my application.  That handler can take a while to  
process if there is a lot of data to work with.  So what I'm trying  
to do is display a modal dialog that basically just says "Please  
wait" while the reports are generated.  The "Please wait" dialog also  
has the little chasing arrows animated gif and a Cancel button to  
stop the process if necessary.

Here's what's happening.  The dialog displays just fine, and the  
reports are generated just fine.  But while the work is being done,  
the dialog does not respond in any way.  The chasing arrows do not  
move and I can't click on the Cancel button.  Is there any way around  
this?  The dialog is a substack of the stack that creates the  
reports.  In the openCard handler of the first, and only, card of the  
substack, I have a send "DoReports" in time command.  And that's it.   
Is there any way to do what I want?  Seems like I've seen it done  
before, but can't quite get it working.

Thanks,
Chris


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Chris Sheffield
Read Naturally
The Fluency Company
http://www.readnaturally.com
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