Calling Windows Application and Executing tasks within Application

Hi,
I have an application which I would like to firstly open Automatically, and secondly after the application has opened it should execute certain commands within the opened application automatically.

I would like to give the command explained in the above paragraph through MS Access and from experience MS Access VBA talks to Windows quite well. If there is a way to do this without VBA that's fine as well

So for example if I could do something where:
1. The Application opens,
2. once the Application is open, Windows gives the application the following commands:
[{Alt}]
[{DOWN}]
[{DOWN}]
r
[{DOWN}]
[{DOWN}]
r


Your help as always is very much appreciated

re: Calling Windows Application and Executing tasks within Application

What do you mean that you would like the program to open automatically? Do you mean when you start up your computer? If so what OS? On windows XP add a shortcut to "Documents and Setting\<User Name>\Start Menu\Programs\Startup". I don't know VBA or MS Access, but I know most programming languages provide a way to simulate keystrokes in the program. What do you want the application to do? What can't you just do it in the code without sending the alt,down,down to the program?

re: Calling Windows Application and Executing tasks within Application

Hi Studlyami,
thanks for the response,
1. I would like the program to open via a proceedure in MS Access i.e. so practically I would have a button on a form, which causes the program to open
2.I would like to have the key strokes simulated in the program itself, without me having to run a macro etc in the program. So after clicking 1 button the program should open and the key stokes should be simulated.

Thanks