Batch script

Batch Scripts are stored in simple text files containing lines with commands that get executed in sequence, one after the other. Scripting is a way by which one can alleviate this necessity by automating these command sequences in order to make one’s life at the shell easier and more productive. This tutorial discusses the basic functionalities of Batch Script along with relevant examples for easy understanding.

Batch scripts are stored in simple text files containing lines with commands that get executed in sequence, one after the other. These files have the special extension BAT or CMD. Files of this type are recognized and executed through an interface (sometimes called a shell) provided by a system file called the command interpreter. On Windows systems, this interpreter is known as cmd.exe.

Functions

Ver functions

This batch command shows the version of MS-DOS you are using

Syntax

Ver

Example

@echo off

Ver

Output

Microsoft windowso[6.3.9600]

Assoc functions

This is a batch command that associates an extension with a file type (FTYPE), displays existing associations, or deletes an association.

Syntax

Assoc – file path

Assoc | find “.doc” > file path

Example

@echo off

Assoc > c:\lists.txt

Assoc | find”.doc” > c:\lists.txt

Output

.doc=word.docment8

.dochtml= word html file

cd functions

This batch command helps in making changes to a different directory, or displays the current directory.

Syntax

Cd

Example

@echo off

Rem changing the program files

Cd\program files

Cd

Rem changing the path to program files

Output

C:\program files

Cls function

This batch command clears the screen.

Syntax

cls

Example

@echo off

Cls

The comment prompt screen will be cleared

Copy function

This batch command is used for copying files from one location to the other

Syntax

Copy[source][destination ]

Example

@echo off

Copy c:\list.txt c:\new folder

Output

All actions are performed as per the remarks in the batch file.

Del functions

          This batch command deletes files and not directories.

Syntax

          Del[file name]

Example

          @echo off

          Del c:\lists.txt

Output

Delete the c directory file

Dir function

This batch command lists the contents of a directory.

Syntax

          Dir

Example

@echo off

Dir *.txt

Output

Give the .txt extension file in dir

Date function

          This batch command help to find the system date.

Syntax

          Date

Example

          @echo off

          Date

Outputs

The current date will be displayed in the command prompt.

Echo function

          This batch command displays messages, or turns command echoing on or off.

Syntax

Echo ”string”

Example

Echo “hello world”

Output

Hello world

Exit function

this batch command exits the DOS console.

Syntax

          Exit

Example

@echo off

Echo “hello world”

Exit

Output

The batch file will terminate and the command prompt window will close.

Md functions

          This batch command creates a new directory in the current location.

Syntax

          Md[directory name]

Example

@echo off

Md newfolder

Cd new folder

Outputs

C:\new folder

Move function

          This batch command moves files or directories between directories.

Syntax

           Move[source][destination]

Example

@echo off

move c:\list.txt c:\new folder

Output

All actions are performed as per the remarks in the batch file.

Path function

This batch command displays or sets the path variable.

Syntax

          Path

Example

          @echo off

          Echo%path%

Output

The value of the path variable will be displayed in the command prompt.

Pause function

          This batch command prompts the user and waits for a line of input to be entered.

Syntax

          Pause

Example

          @echo off

          Pause

Output

The command prompt will show the message “Press any key to continue….” to the user and wait for the user’s input.

Prompt function

          This batch command can be used to change or reset the cmd.exe prompt.

Syntax

          Prompt[newpromptname]

Example

@echo off

prompt myprompt$g

output

The prompt shown to the user will now be myprompt>

Rd function

          This batch command removes directories, but the directories need to be empty before they can be removed.

Syntax

          Rd [directory name]

Example

@echo off

Rd c:\newfolder

Output

All actions are performed as per the remarks in the batch file.

Ren function

          Renames files and directories

Syntax

          Ren[old file name][new file name]

Example

          @echo off

          Ren c:\list.txt c:newlist.txt

Output

the file lists.txt will be renamed to newlists.txt.

start function

          This batch command starts a program in new window, or opens a document

Syntax

          Start”program name”

Example

          @echo off

          Start notepad.exe

Output

When the batch file is executed, a new notepad windows will start.

Choice function

          This batch command provides a list of options to the user.

Syntax

          Choice /c [option] /m [message]

Example

          @echo off

          Echo “what is the file size”

          Echo “a:10mb”

          Echo “b:20mb”

          Choice /c ab /m “what is your option a , b ”

Output

What is the file system

A:10mb

B:20mb

What is your  option a, b