[Help] Nil error

Okay so this line of code keeps returning a nil error:

shell.run(programname)

My exact error message is:

myapi: 27 : attempt to index ? (a nil value)

Programname is part of an input of a function:

function login(programname, u1, p1)
clearall()
center("Please login to use "..programname, 1)
center("", 3)
write("Username: ")
local u = read()
center("", 5)
write("Password ")
local p = read("*")
sleep(1)

if u == (u1) and p == (p1) then
center("Login successful, please continue.", 7)
sleep(.7)
shell.run(programname) -- this is line 27
else
center("Login unsuccessful, access denied.", &)
shell.run("maingui")
end
end

I need quick help if possible, programname is called in another spot and works, but I don't know how to use it in shell.run..I just want it to boot a program that's name is the input of the function

The "Ask A Pro" section is for asking questions when you have problems. The "Programs" section is for released code.

Post the whole code of your program and the exact error message.
Also this should be in Ask a Pro, I've reported it to get a moderator's attention so they can move it. (Edit: Ninja'd)

I'm sorry, I didn't realize, I was in such a rush that I didn't notice, I'll update my post one sec.

Mind postign the rest of the code, or at least the function? Kinda hard to troubleshoot with that little amount of info.

Code was posted.

Did you use os.loadAPI() or did you just run it? If you use os.loadAPI then the shell functions don't work.

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:28 PM said:

Did you use os.loadAPI() or did you just run it? If you use os.loadAPI then the shell functions don't work.

I used os.loadAPI because I needed the function to be used in other programs. Is there an easier way of doing this?

Sane, on 19 December 2012 - 01:29 PM said:

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:28 PM said:

Did you use os.loadAPI() or did you just run it? If you use os.loadAPI then the shell functions don't work.

I used os.loadAPI because I needed the function to be used in other programs. Is there an easier way of doing this?

This is how I do it:

API = {}
API.func = function()
  print("test")
end

Then you just run the script. That is how I do it.

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:36 PM said:

Sane, on 19 December 2012 - 01:29 PM said:

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:28 PM said:

Did you use os.loadAPI() or did you just run it? If you use os.loadAPI then the shell functions don't work.

I used os.loadAPI because I needed the function to be used in other programs. Is there an easier way of doing this?

This is how I do it:

API = {}
API.func = function()
  print("test")
end

Then you just run the script. That is how I do it.

Okay but where do I put that and would it just be:

API = {}
API.func = login(programname, u1, p1)
[...]

Sane, on 19 December 2012 - 01:38 PM said:

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:36 PM said:

Sane, on 19 December 2012 - 01:29 PM said:

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:28 PM said:

Did you use os.loadAPI() or did you just run it? If you use os.loadAPI then the shell functions don't work.

I used os.loadAPI because I needed the function to be used in other programs. Is there an easier way of doing this?

This is how I do it:

API = {}
API.func = function()
  print("test")
end

Then you just run the script. That is how I do it.

Okay but where do I put that and would it just be:

API = {}
API.func = login(programname, u1, p1)
[...]

Top of the file will have the APINAME = {} then after that have all your functions.
So like this:

APINAME = {}
APINAME.login = function(pname, u1, p1)
  -- Stuffz goes here
end

Sorry for all the confusion, so after that I can load that API from any program using:

myapi.login(pname, u1, p1)

Correct?

Sane, on 19 December 2012 - 01:44 PM said:

Sorry for all the confusion, so after that I can load that API from any program using:

myapi.login(pname, u1, p1)

Correct?

Yes, after you run the script that contains the functions.

Human, on 19 December 2012 - 01:45 PM said:

Sane, on 19 December 2012 - 01:44 PM said:

Sorry for all the confusion, so after that I can load that API from any program using:

myapi.login(pname, u1, p1)

Correct?

Yes, after you run the script that contains the functions.

Aight thank you for all your help mate! :)/> Cheers!