MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way\Tips and TricksBatch FilesBatch File Tips and Tricks

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Batch File Tips and Tricks

If you are after information on how to execute batch files during installation then have a look at the "ExeCa" command as this section describes some useful things to know.

You need to be very careful to confirm that the features you use exist in the operating systems you are supporting, a lot (but probably not all) of the following is likely to work in WINNT+ (WINNT, WIN2000, WINXP etc).

The most useful standard Windows commands are probably (use the "/?" switch on command to see its documentation):

1. FOR
2. SET
3. FIND / FINDSTR.EXE
4. START

Some tips on specific commands:

• IF
  The following demonstrates a case insensitive compare operation:

  SetLocal ENABLEEXTENSIONS
  ...
  if /I "%Answer%" == "NO" goto NO_or_no_or_No_etc

There are many interesting web sites where you can get more information (a good google should find them), there are quite a few good tips (and subroutines) at the "Batch Function Library for Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003" site.

The following sections have specific tips:

1. Batch File Parameters
2. Convert Long FileNames to Short (8.3)
3. Create File containing IP addresses from file with Workstation List
4. Delayed Expansion (in loops)
5. Get Day, Month, and Year
6. Get File Safe Dates and Times
7. Does a File Contain Some Text?
8. For Loops
9. Get Name/Directory of the Batch File
10. Logging RollOver (keep "x" logs)
11. Logging Whole Batch File Execution
12. Maths
13. Meaningful Return Code
14. Read and Process a File line by line
15. Read first line of a Text File
16. Replace One String with Another
17. SET Command - Text Manipulations
18. Special Characters (tabs etc)
19. Subroutines (common code)
20. Sweep (Execute command(s) per File or Directory)

Batch Files - External Links

Some good external links:

• microsoft.public.win2000.cmdprompt.admin (best batch file newsgroup)
• Batch Function Library for Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003
• Windows Platform Comparison Environment Variable Reference

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