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Windows messaging is an easy way for processes to communicate. Below, you will find an example of sending such messages, as well as an example message handler to receive them.

Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that your process will receive this message. Or, it may receive it instantaneously. I recommend sending some sort of ACK response back to the originating app so I knows it was received properly.

## Sender

    // wmCopyData
    // Allows inter-process communications via Windows WM_COPYDATA messaging.
    procedure wmCopyData(WndClass:PChar;WndTitle:PChar;Msg:String);
    var
      hWnd  : THandle         // Handle to target window to receive message
      cds   : CopyDataStruct; // Structure to package the outbound message
    begin
      // Find target window
      hWnd := FindWindow(PChar(WndClass), PChar(WndTitle));
      try
        cds.dwData := 0
        cds.cbData := Length(Msg);   // Length of message
        cds.lpData := PChar(Msg);    // Actual message
        // The following function is not necessary for this to work
        SetForegroundWindow(hWnd);   // Pulls target window up top
        SendMessage(hWnd, wm_CopyData, 0, Integer(@cds));
    send the message
      finally
        CloseHandle(hWnd)            // Close handle to target
      end;
    end;

A typical call to this procedure would be:

    wmCopyData('NOTEPAD','Untitled - Notepad','Test Message');

Keep in mind that Notepad does not have a handler to receive messages sent via WM_COPYDATA.

Also, it is not necessary to use both the Class name and Window title text, one is sufficient. However, if you have multiple copies open, it will go to the first one it finds.

## Receiver

    // Add a custom message handler so our app gets notified upon receipt
    private
      procedure WMGetData(var Msg: TWMCopyData); message WM_COPYDATA;

    // wmGetData
    // Receives inbound messages - Callback function
    // Called from message handler
    procedure TForm1.wmGetData(var Msg: TWMCopyData);
    var
      sText: array[0..255] of Char;  // Create an array to store message in
    begin
      // Cast inbound data structure into a character array
      StrLCopy(sText, Msg.CopyDataStruct.lpData, Msg.CopyDataStruct.cbData);
      Edit1.Text := sText;
    end;