The Arsenal Files 8/The Arsenal Files Collection #8 (Arsenal Computer) (1996).ISO/dosutils/batpwr02.zip/BATPWR02.610

Text File | 1996-10-02 | 419KB | 10,309 lines

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 423                                          Date: 27 Feb 96  23:40:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Furlan Primus                                Mark:
  Subj: L-O-N-G PATH          1/2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> BTW, I have shown more than a few folks how a PATH of up to at least
VF> 4,096 bytes (yep, that's four-thousand-and-ninety-six characters)
VF> can be created and successfully used... using nothing more than DOS.

FP> i have always kept my PATH to the mininum needed as a matter of
FP> choice

    Same on this end (it's faster).

FP> and just exactly HOW do you do the above anyway???

    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    L-o-n-g PATH "how to" for MS-DOS version 6.nn (any version of DOS 6)
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    Normally, on most MS-DOS v6.xx systems, when the system boots it
    looks for and loads/runs the following five files -- in this order:

      1) IO.SYS       - basic Input/Output routines
      2) MSDOS.SYS    - basic MicroSoft Disk Operating System routines
      3) CONFIG.SYS   - user created ASCII file (drivers, etc.)
      4) COMMAND.COM  - command line processor
      5) AUTOEXEC.BAT - user created ASCII file (whatever)

    The 4th step, loading COMMAND.COM, is what limits the command line,
    and hence the "PATH=..." line length in AUTOEXEC.BAT, to a maximum
    of 127 characters.

    The 'secret' to creating a l-o-n-g PATH then is to set it up in
    CONFIG.SYS -- before COMMAND.COM's 127 character line limit has
    come in to play -- instead of in AUTOEXEC.BAT.

    Setting up a PATH in CONFIG.SYS only works, (I believe), in MS-DOS
    v6.xx or higher and uses the following syntax:

      SET PATH=drive:\directory[;drive:\directory][;...]

    Tip: All of the following examples will NOT work in CONFIG.SYS like
         they do in AUTOEXEC.BAT:

           PATH=...     PATH=%PATH%;...     SET PATH=%PATH%;...
           PATH ...     PATH %PATH%;...     SET PATH %PATH%;...

         In other words, if the line doesn't begin with "SET PATH=", DOS
         will return something like "Error in CONFIG.SYS line 1".

         The %PATH% idea also fails because the program that defines and
         understands such, COMMAND.COM, has not been loaded yet.

    PATH lengths of up to a whopping 4,096 characters have been tested
    here, with success, using this "CONFIG.SYS" "SET PATH=..." approach.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                [ ... text deleted for brevity ... ]

-!-
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)


─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 431                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  13:28:05
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Carlo Mosti                                  Mark:
  Subj: Daily execution
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
CM> I would like to know if someone knows of a way to resolve my problem
CM> by using only batchfile commands. I want to execute a program
CM> everyday but only once! How do I control that?

    Here's one that does it by storing the command you entered plus the
    current system date on one line at the end of the BATch file itself.
    When you launch it again it simply looks for an identical command-
    line/date.  (If one is found it tells you that command has already
    been run today.  If no match is found, it adds the command and date
    to the end of the file and continues).

    Note: Because this is a self-modifying BATch file, you may need to
          change all occurances of "C:\BAT" to the location of where you
          intend on keeping it on your hard drive.

@echo off
:ONCEADAY.BAT runs a specified program once-a-day only -----------------
:Notes: This BATch file is self modifying!  It keeps track of every date
:       and the command(s) issued on that date at end of this file.
:       Requires DOS's FIND (somewhere in current PATH is fine).
:       Use "CURRENT /C" (not the quotes) to clear all dates from file.
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 if (%1%2)==(dateis) goto GOTIT
 if (%1)==(/?) goto SYNTAX
 if (%1)==() goto SYNTAX
 for %%x in (:) do set colons=%%x%%x
 for %%x in (c C) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto CLEAR
 set program=%1 %2 %3 %4
 ver|date>temptemp.bat
 echo %0 %%1 %%2 %%3 %%4>current.bat
 temptemp
:GOTIT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 set date=%4
 find /c "%colons%%4%program%" C:\BAT\%0.BAT>temptemp.bat
 echo set current=%%2>--------.bat
 call temptemp.bat
 if (%current%)==(0) echo %colons%%date%%program%>>C:\BAT\%0.BAT
 if (%current%)==(0) goto DO_IT
 echo Command: %program%
 echo          has already been run today.
 goto CLEANUP
:DO_IT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo Issuing command: %program% ...
 echo.
 call %program%
 goto CLEANUP
:CLEAR -----------------------------------------------------------------
 type C:\BAT\%0.BAT|find /v "%colons%">C:\BAT\%0.BAT
:CLEANUP ---------------------------------------------------------------
 for %%x in (-------- temptemp current) do if exist %%x.bat del %%x.bat
 for %%x in (program colons current date) do set %%x=
 goto END
:SYNTAX ----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo.
 echo    Name: ONCEADAY.BAT
 echo.
 echo  Author: Vernon Frazee 03/03/94
 echo.
 echo Purpose: Run specified command only once a day.
 echo.
 echo  Syntax: ONCEADAY program_name/command [parm_1] [parm_2] [parm_3]
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /C  clears all entries
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /?  displays this help
 echo.
 echo Example: ONCEADAY DEFRAG C: /F /SN
 echo.
 echo   Notes: Requires DOS's FIND (must be available in current PATH)
 echo.
 echo          Requires at least approx 50 bytes free environment space
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY.BAT is self modifying!  (It keeps track of when
 echo                       and what was run at the end of the file).
 echo.
 goto END
:END (Data storage begins below) --------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 390                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  21:52:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Counting file lines
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 LD>> I want this batch to make a list of %1 <EG: *.bat or *.txt>

 LD>> then use the list to count the lines in each found

 LD>> then report to some file, the found file name(s) and the # of
lines
 LD>> EG: somefile.txt 27

 LD>>     othrfile.txt 13

 LD>>     yetnothr.txt 29



I used SORT and FIND from DOS, and Michael Mefford's CHANGE.COM in the
following batch file to group extension_requested files of the current
directory in a list and count their lines.

After running this file 12 times, you'll get a file creation error on
the 13th run.  Anybody know why?  Something with the FIND command
or FOR IN DO or CALL?  My el cheapo 486?
If I change the do find in the for-in-do to do call find, it bombs on
the 9th try.

REM countext.bat
@echo off
if "%1"== "" goto syntax
set fn=-%1
if exist $!&)list del $!&)list
for %%x in (*.%1) do find /c /v "<^>#~" %%x >>$!&)list
call change $!&)list 13,10,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45 "" > nul
call change $!&)list ":" "" > nul
call sort < $!&)list > %fn%list
del $!&)list
set fn=
goto end
:syntax
echo.
echo enter  countext ext  of filenames you want linecounts of
echo example - countext txt, or countext doc, or countext bat, etc.
echo filenames and linecounts will be in file -extlist
:end
::---------------RCR--------------
                           Part 1

-!- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 10
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 391                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  21:54:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Counting file lines
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here is another version named extcount.bat using PREFIX.COM
from DOSWORLD magazine.

@echo off
if not "%4"== "" goto wrapitup
if "%1"== "almost_done" goto shrink
if "%1"== "" goto syntax
set fn=-%1
if exist $!&)list.bat del $!&)list.bat
if exist %fn%list del %fn%list
for %%x in (*.%1) do call %0 almost_done %%x
call sort < %fn%list > po-trait
del %fn%list
ren po-trait %fn%list
for %%y in (fn name) do set %%y=
goto end
:wrapitup
echo %name% %4 >> %fn%list
if exist $!&)list.bat del $!&)list.bat
goto end
:shrink
set name=%2
echo. | find /c /v "<^>#~" %name% | find "----------" | ...
... prefix extcount plop >>$!&)list.bat
call $!&)list
goto end
:syntax
echo enter extcount and extension of files you want individual count of
:end
::---------------RCR--------------

In extcount.bat, assemble the two lines with ... together at that point

Here is the PREFIX.SCR to DEBUG < PREFIX.SCR to obtain prefix.com

N PREFIX.COM
A
PUSH CS
POP DS
MOV DX,0157
MOV [0155],DX
MOV AH,3F
MOV BX,0000
MOV CX,0001
MOV DX,[0155]
INC WORD PTR [0155]
INT 21
CMP AX,0000
JNZ 0125
MOV AX,4C00
INT 21
PUSH DX
POP SI
MOV AH,[SI]
CMP AH,0A
JZ 0130
JMP 0109
PUSH AX
MOV BX,0001
XOR CH,CH
MOV CL,[0080]
MOV DX,0081
MOV AH,40
INT 21
MOV AH,40
MOV BX,0001
MOV CX,[0155]
SUB CX,0157
MOV DX,0157
INT 21
JMP 0102

RCX
155
W
Q

Try, for example; DIR |prefix put me first >> zzz
                              Part 2

-!- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 10
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 392                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  21:55:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: COUNTING FILE LINES
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will count the lines in one file.  Submitted to see how badly
Vernon Frazee will "in my face" me with his faster two-liner.  But
I do honor the king.

@echo off
if "%2"=="felines" goto felines
if "%1"=="" goto namepls
set fn=%1
find /c /v "<^>#~" %1 > (^^--^^).bat
call change (^^--^^).bat 13,10,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45 "felines
felines felines" > nul
echo.
(^^--^^) > nul
:felines
echo file %fn% has %4 lines
goto end
:namepls
echo proper syntax is felines filename
echo this finds # of lines in named file
:end
 set fn=
del (^^--^^).bat

-!- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 10
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 424                                          Date: 05 Mar 96  09:17:01
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Stephan Hoppe                                Mark:
  Subj: Get date?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SH> What I'd like to do is have a plain vanilla batch file that grabs
SH> the day of the month so that on the 3rd, for example, I could defrag
SH> my HD, on the 4th run scandisk, etc. etc.
SH> I figure it would have to be something that grabs the day of the
SH> month as an env variable then the calling batch files would check
SH> this to see if its the right day.
SH> How to grab the variable?
SH> Please no 4dos, ndos or whatever. . .just MS-DOS.

    Here's one way to get the current system Month, Day, and Year, into
    separate environment variables (evars) using DOS's CHOICE.COM.

      @echo off
      :---------------------------------------------------
      :    Name: MDY.BAT - For US DATE format (mm-dd-yyyy)
      : Purpose: Using current system date, put 2-digit
      :          month in evar MM, 2-digit day in evar DD,
      :          and 2-digit year in evar YY.
      :Requires: CHOICE.COM and 36 bytes in environment.
      :---------------------------------------------------
       if (%1)==(![) goto ParseIt
       for %%x in (mm dd yy mdy) do set %%x=
       >~tmp~.bat ver|date
       echo set mdy=%%4>current.bat
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp~.bat
       del current.bat
       >~tmp~.bat echo;;|choice/c:;%mdy%; "%0 !"
       ~tmp~.bat
      :ParseIt -------------------------------------------
       set mm=%2%3|set dd=%5%6
       shift|shift
       set yy=%8%9|echo MM=%mm%
       echo DD=%dd%
       echo YY=%yy%
       del ~tmp~.bat|set mdy=
      :End ----------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 428                                          Date: 05 Mar 96  03:38:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Richard Dale                                 Mark:
  Subj: Humongous project
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RD> M:\USERS\74801000>fwcopy 74801000 phone.001

VF> The enclosed examples should help you get started

RD> I thank you very kindly! I shall let you know on the results.

    You're more than welcome, and yes, please do.

RD> FWIW, "fwcopy" copies the files over to be used by the Ft. Worth
RD> office, hence "fw".  The command that is *really* supposed to be
RD> used is CLEAN 74801000 PHONE.001, but if I mess up and clean
RD> PHONE.001 again within 5 minutes or so, it can crash or slow down
RD> the system.  Sheesh!<tm>.

    The following might help solve that particular problem.  It only
    allows the exact same command to be run once per day.

@echo off
:ONCEADAY.BAT runs a specified program once-a-day only -----------------
:Notes: This BATch file is self modifying!  It keeps track of every date
:       and the command(s) issued on that date at end of this file.
:       Requires DOS's FIND (somewhere in current PATH is fine).
:       Use "CURRENT /C" (not the quotes) to clear all dates from file.
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 if (%1%2)==(dateis) goto GOTIT
 if (%1)==(/?) goto SYNTAX
 if (%1)==() goto SYNTAX
 for %%x in (:) do set colons=%%x%%x
 for %%x in (c C) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto CLEAR
 set program=%1 %2 %3 %4
 ver|date>temptemp.bat
 echo %0 %%1 %%2 %%3 %%4>current.bat
 temptemp
:GOTIT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 set date=%4
 find /c "%colons%%4%program%" C:\BAT\%0.BAT>temptemp.bat
 echo set current=%%2>--------.bat
 call temptemp.bat
 if (%current%)==(0) echo %colons%%date%%program%>>C:\BAT\%0.BAT
 if (%current%)==(0) goto DO_IT
 echo Command: %program%
 echo          has already been run today.
 goto CLEANUP
:DO_IT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo Issuing command: %program% ...
 echo.
 call %program%
 goto CLEANUP
:CLEAR -----------------------------------------------------------------
 type C:\BAT\%0.BAT|find /v "%colons%">C:\BAT\%0.BAT
:CLEANUP ---------------------------------------------------------------
 for %%x in (-------- temptemp current) do if exist %%x.bat del %%x.bat
 for %%x in (program colons current date) do set %%x=
 goto END
:SYNTAX ----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo.
 echo    Name: ONCEADAY.BAT
 echo.
 echo  Author: Vernon Frazee 03/03/94
 echo.
 echo Purpose: Run specified command only once a day.
 echo.
 echo  Syntax: ONCEADAY program_name/command [parm_1] [parm_2] [parm_3]
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /C  clears all entries
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /?  displays this help
 echo.
 echo Example: ONCEADAY DEFRAG C: /F /SN
 echo.
 echo   Notes: Requires DOS's FIND (must be available in current PATH)
 echo.
 echo          Requires at least approx 50 bytes free environment space
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY.BAT is self modifying!  (It keeps track of when
 echo                       and what was run at the end of the file).
 echo.
 goto END
:END (Data storage begins below) --------------------------------- -vjf-

RD> Thanks again.

    No problem.  Let me know how you make out.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 06 Mar 96  18:32:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Kwiatkowski                            Mark:
  Subj: Caps in ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WE> you need a lot of if-statements to ask for all possiblities ...
WE>   set variable=example
WE>   set variable=Example
WE>   set variable=EXAmple
WE> It would be much easier if I could change the content of an
WE> environment variable to either small or capital letters.

LK> I use a rather complicated routine to do exactly that - map the file
LK> names to all caps - using GET.EXE and QEDIT. I hope there is some
LK> simpler way to accomplish mapping to all caps. Does anyone have a
LK> workable solution?

    Here's a fairly simple "COMMAND.COM only" example:

      @echo off
      :---------------------------------------------------
      :UP-CASE.BAT - UPPERcases user parameters
      :              (up to about 49 characters)
      : For example: up-case WiLe e cOyOtE
      :     returns: WILE E COYOTE
      :        Note: Results stored in evar UP-CASE
      :---------------------------------------------------
       if (%1)==() goto End
       path>~savpath.bat
       for %%x in (up-case path) do set %%x=
      :Loop ----------------------------------------------
       path %1
       if not (%up-case%)==() set up-case=%up-case% %path%
       if (%up-case%)==() set up-case=%path%
       shift
       if not (%1)==() goto Loop
       echo %up-case%
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~savpath.bat
      :End ----------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 402                                          Date: 08 Mar 96  23:14:04
  From: Dennis Mccunney                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Greg Paksi                                   Mark:
  Subj: Two OS's on one drive?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 ** From Greg Paksi to Brian Altenpohl on 29 Feb 96  16:53:54
 ** Re: Two OS's on one drive?

 BA> Also, you may want to take a look into QNX, it is a great O/S, and
 BA> comes with the QNX loader, which will allow you up to 4 different OSs
 BA> on a  single machine.  Perhaps newer version of QNX will allow more.
 BA> Or you could write a simple Boot-Manager program - it isn't very

 GP> What's QNX?  How is it different than DOS, UNIX, OS/2, WINDOWS NT,
 GP> etc.?

    QNX is an operating system from a company in Canada called QNX
 (formerly known as Quantum).  It began as a UNIX-like OS optimised to
 run on Intel CPUs (and would run reasonably on XTs and well on ATs).
 It has evolved into an OS aimed at the real-time market, with built-in
 network awareness.



-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: * BlueDog BBS * [phone] * NYC FileBone Hub (1:278/304)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448             Local                        Date: 11 Mar 96  18:30:57
  From: Bat Lang                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Steve Meech                                  Mark:
  Subj: Copying files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 -=> Quoting Steve Meech to All, [09 Mar 96  00:29:06] <=-

 SM> Anyway, back on topic, the problem is that I have to transfer 13Mb of
 SM> files, many of which don't change from one day to the next.

 SM> Is there a way of copying only those files which are _different_ on
 SM> the two machines, to save time (in the way PKZIP's "update" function
 SM> does).
 SM> I'd be interested in a batch-file or utility solution.
                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

There is a nifty util in the BFDS files called DIRCOMP:

DIRCO511.ZIP  117060 12-18-95  DIRCOMP.EXE (5.11):  Updates files in one
                               subdirectory based on files in another
                               subdirectory.  Similar in some ways to DOS's
                               REPLACE command

Here is a batch file I use with this to maintain a portable
parallel-port hard drive (Gator) as a mirror of another drive on my
system.

::UPD.BAT to compare two dirs, and kill dir2 files not in dir1 & copy
::        dir1 files to dir2 that are more recent, or not in dir2.
@echo off
CP /T:N,10             Do you want the Gator UpDated?
if %EL% 2 goto end
dirco k: l: /KILL /APPEND /-I
:end

Saves me MANY hours each month, and hasn't messed up yet.  Also
maintains a log of it's activities.  The second line uses Chad's Choice
Plus (CP102).  Could use CHOICE or leave it out.
Note:  The %EL% is a shortcut allowed by my inclusion of:

SET EL=ERRORLEVEL   ;in my AEBat file.

If your DOS includes REPLACE, you might get it to do your bidding?
I also renamed the DIRCOMP.EXE so it looks like the archive name.
Good Modeming!  /\oo/\

... NetMail: 1:382/1201 or E-mail: [e-mail]

-!- Blue Wave/Max v2.30
 ! Origin: The HUB * Austin TX * Centex PCUG * 512-346-1852 (1:382/1201)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 11 Mar 96  12:47:00
  From: Gottfried Hommon                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: STEPHAN HOPPE                                Mark:
  Subj: Sloppy batch file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-----------------------------------------  Vienna, the 11.Mar.1996 at 12.46
  Hi STEPHAN!

29-Feb-96 19:35, STEPHAN HOPPE wrote to ALL
          Subject: Sloppy batch file

 SH> Is there any way of making this a little less bulky?

>>>>>GETDAY.BAT
 SH> @echo off
 SH> REM the line below returns the day of the month as an errorlevel. . .
 SH> c:\utility\1tellme.exe day
 SH> if errorlevel 1 if not errorlevel 2 set Today=1
 SH> if errorlevel 2 if not errorlevel 3 set Today=2
 SH> .
 SH> if errorlevel 31 if not errorlevel 32 set Today=31
                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                      is not necessary

do this:

for %%f in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13) do if errorlevel %%f set Today=%%f
for %%f in (14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23) do if errorlevel %%f set Today=%%f
for %%f in (24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31) do if errorlevel %%f set Today=%%f

 with friendly greetings
 from Gottfried Hommon

-!- Terminate 1.50/Pro
 ! Origin: ---------------> NOVELL DOS 7.15 USER <--------------- (2:310/65.78)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 12 Mar 96  05:49:03
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Scott Farrell                                Mark:
  Subj: File_id.diz
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
MC> Check a zip file to see if it has a file_id.diz. if not then open
MC> the editor (ide.exe) which produces a file_id.diz in its own
MC> directory then this has to be inserted in the zip that was
MC> checked. If the file has a file_id.diz then continue to check the
MC> next zip.

SF> Have you got a solution to this?

    Stick the following simple BATch file in some directory in
    your PATH.  (I keep my BATch files in "C:\BAT" for example).

      @echo off
      :ZIPID.BAT
       pkunzip %1 file_id.diz
       if errorlevel 11 goto End
       edit file_id.diz
       pkzip %1 file_id.diz
       del file_id.diz
      :End

    Now change to the drive:\directory containing the ZIP files you
    want to work on and type the command:

      for %x in (*.zip) do call zipid %x

    That's it.

    Each ZIP file in your current directory will be checked for the
    presence of a FILE_ID.DIZ file.  If it exists, ZIPID.BAT file simply
    exits (and then the for-in-do command above re-launches it with a
    new filename.ZIP).  If a FILE_ID.DIZ didn't exist, DOS EDIT is
    launched so you can create one.  When you exit EDIT, PKZIP adds your
    new FILE_ID.DIZ to the filename.ZIP file just checked, your
    FILE_ID.DIZ is deleted, and ZIPID.BAT exits back to DOS.  And, when
    the for-in-do is done presenting all the filename.ZIPs to ZIPID.BAT,
    all your ZIP files should contain a FILE_ID.DIZ.

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 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 13 Mar 96   9:49:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Paul Emmons                                  Mark:
  Subj: Scripting programs
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Paul Emmons to All (7 Mar 96) <=-

PE> [...]
PE> Could anyone describe the basic techniques or algorithms which
PE> these various systems use?

-+-+- quote from Richard Marks' UUencode/UUdecode package:

The basic scheme is to break groups of 3 eight bit characters (24 bits)
into 4 six bit characters and then add 32 (a space) to each six bit
character which maps it into the readily transmittable character.
Another way of phrasing this is to say that the encoded 6 bit
characters are mapped into the set:
        `!"#$%&'()*+,-./012356789:;<=>?@ABC...XYZ[\]^_
for transmission over communications lines.

As some transmission mechanisms compress or remove spaces, spaces are
changed into back-quote characters (a 96).  (A better scheme might be
to use a bias of 33 so the space is not created, but this is not done.)

Another newer less popular encoding method, called XX-encoding uses the
set:    +-01..89ABC...XYZabc...xyz

In my opinion, XX-encoding is superior to UU-encoding because it uses
more "normal" characters that are less likely to get corrupted.  In
fact several of the special characters in the UU set do not get thru an
EBCDIC to ASCII translation correctly.
-+-+- unquote

PE> 256^4 = 4.294968E+09, and 85^5 = 4.437053E+09.  Therefore, four
PE> binary bytes could be encoded into five ascii characters using any
PE> 85 of the ascii values between 32 and 127.  Although I haven't
PE> tried implementing this in assembler, I would guess that
PE> recovering the original binary file from such a script would fit
PE> the architecture and instruction set of the 86 processors easily,
PE> i.e. the necessary code could be given in a short enough debug
PE> script header.

For a range of 85 you would need 32 bit multiplications. No big problem
even for a 8086, but the DEBUG header will become a little larger.
Main problem is to define a set of 85 characters that is safe enough
for FIDO mails. I'm not sure which characters between 31 and 127 have
to be definitely excluded to avoid problems.

PE> Probably others have thought of this principle or a better one, so
PE> there is no point in re-inventing the wheel if it has been done. I
PE> would like to know how Chad's and Horst's encoding systems work,
PE> but the answer is not obvious from the scripts they produce.

I think everyone used the simple method of shifting 4*6 bits out of
24. The idea of using a range other than 2^n is a very interesting
approach indeed.

However a ratio of 5/3 (vs. 4/3) would make scripts only 6.25% smaller
(not counting the overhead), and in zipped mail packages it will
probably make no difference at all.
Is is worth introducing a new standard?

Horst.

... Q4FM 2.10 ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02 / ScanToss
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 429                                          Date: 12 Mar 96  22:41:00
  From: William Lipp                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Sloppy Batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 -=> Quoting Larry Nelson to William Lipp <=-

 LN> for %%q in (1 2 3) do if errorlevel %%q goto %%q

 LN> When I reversed the order of the options in For's set to
 LN> (3 2 1) the result was always 1

 LN> Any body got an idea why For needs the options in asending
 LN> order rather than desending?

The behavior of for-in-do with goto was a topic of discussion a few
months back.  My recollection is that the loop finishes all iterations
before executing any "goto" statement.  It then acts upon the
last goto.


___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

-!- Maximus 3.01
 ! Origin: this space available bbs (1:141/1111)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 424                                          Date: 13 Mar 96  20:48:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Dennis Mccunney                              Mark:
  Subj: Batch Problem
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DM> Are you telling 4DOS to load itself and its environment and aliases
DM> into UMBs?  There are an assorment of directives settable in
DM> 4DOS.INI to specify this:
DM>   UMBAlias                Load global aliases in UMB
DM>   UMBDirHistory           Load global directory history in UMB
DM>   UMBEnvironment          Load master environment in UMB
DM>   UMBHistory              Load history in UMB
DM>   UMBLoad                 Load resident part of 4DOS in UMB
DM> Do so, and your environment and other things 4DOS uses come out of
DM> conventional memory, as does all but 256 bytes of the resident
DM> portion of 4DOS itself)
DM> I strongly suspect the memory values you posted above would be
DM> rather different if you did this.

    As suggested I created a 4DOS.INI file containing the following:

      UMBAlias
      UMBDirHistory
      UMBEnvironment
      UMBHistory
      UMBLoad

    From "mem/c" before creating 4DOS.INI ------------------------------
    Free       747,616  (730K)    635,200  (620K)

    From "mem/c" after after creating 4DOS.INI -------------------------
    Free       747,616  (730K)    635,200  (620K)

    What am I doing wrong?

VF> Hmmm... With just a 360K disk, the tools I would probably grab would
VF> be everything I might need to format a hard drive: DEBUG, FDISK, and
VF> FORMAT (68,020 bytes); a few general tools like: CHKDSK, CHOICE,
VF> EDLIN, and FIND (33439 bytes); of course GWBASIC (80,592 bytes); and
VF> then my communications program {COMMO} (29,872 bytes) so I could
VF> logon to any one of a multitude of systems I have access to and
VF> download anything else I might need. <g>  On a MS-DOS v6.22 bootable
VF> diskette that should still leave over 10,000 bytes for whatever
VF> else.

DM> You don't compress the executables?

    Not usually, no.

DM> You can't do it to COMMAND.COM, but everything else will pack down
DM> nicely.

    DEBUG.EXE, FORMAT.COM, and CHKDSK.EXE already come compressed
    but yes, packing the others (PKLITE) reduced overall size by
    almost 11%.  Good idea, thanks!

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 440                                          Date: 13 Mar 96  20:48:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Phi Nguyen                                   Mark:
  Subj: write to start of text fi
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PN>  ---------PREPEND.BTM------------------
PN>  @*echo off
PN>  *if %# lt 2 goto Syntax_Error
PN>  *setdos /x-1
Vf> [ ... 46 lines deleted ... ]
PN>  ---------------------------------------

     Here's a simple example that works with DOS:

       @echo off
       :PREPEND.BAT
        if (%2)==() goto End
        if not exist %1 goto End
        set ~fn=%1
        copy %~fn% ~1>nul
       :Loop
        shift
        if (%1)==() goto Copy
        if not (%~tx%)==() set ~tx=%~tx% %1
        if (%~tx%)==() set ~tx=%1
        goto Loop
       :Copy
        echo %~tx%>~2
        copy ~2+~1 %~fn%>nul
        for %%x in (1 2) do del ~%%x
        for %%x in (fn tx) do set ~%%x=
       :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

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 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 15 Mar 96  17:58:01
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Sloppy Batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JK> for %%a in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9..... 31) do if errorlevel %%a .....
JK> (A classic .BAT improvement!)

WL> Since the errorlevel function is "errorlevel greater than or equal
WL> to N", this code would execute the "if" section 31 times for a
WL> "no error" return of zero.  That was probably not what you had in
WL> mind.

LN> For seems to tweak the order of things. Joe's example worked fine
LN> for me when I use it as in the following....
LN>   ::4tst.bat/DOS62.0
LN>   @echo off
LN>   cls
LN>        choice/cabc
LN>        for %%q in (1 2 3) do if errorlevel %%q goto %%q
LN>  :1
LN>     echo a
LN>     goto L8r
LN>  :2
LN>     echo b
LN>     goto L8r
LN>  :3
LN>     echo c
LN>  :L8r
LN> When I reversed the order of the options in For's set to (3 2 1) the
LN> result was always "a" Any body got an idea why For needs the options
LN> in asending order rather than desending?

    Because DOS will process everything in between the parenthesis
    before it makes it's final descision.

    For example, with (1 2 3) and you press B, DOS will do:

      if errorlevel 1 goto 1       (which proves true)
      if errorlevel 2 goto 2       (which proves true)
      if errorlevel 3 goto 3       (which proves not true)

    Now that it's done testing it does the last thing that proved true,
    "goto 2", which is correct.

    But if you flip it around, (3 2 1), and press B, DOS will do:

      if errorlevel 3 goto 3       (which is not true)
      if errorlevel 2 goto 2       (which is true)
      if errorlevel 1 goto 1       (which is true)

    Now that it's done testing it does the last thing that proved true,
    "goto 1", which is incorrect.

    Clear as mud yet? <G>

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 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 16 Mar 96  08:01:00
  From: David Roper                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Vernon Frazee                                Mark:
  Subj: BATCH PROBLEM
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> Hmmm... With just a 360K disk, the tools I would probably grab would
VF> be everything I might need to format a hard drive: DEBUG, FDISK, and
VF> FORMAT (68,020 bytes); a few general tools like: CHKDSK, CHOICE,
VF> EDLIN, and FIND (33439 bytes); of course GWBASIC (80,592 bytes); and
VF> then my communications program {COMMO} (29,872 bytes) so I could
VF> logon to any one of a multitude of systems I have access to and
VF> download anything else I might need. <g>  On a MS-DOS v6.22 bootable
VF> diskette that should still leave over 10,000 bytes for whatever
VF> else.
VF>    DEBUG.EXE, FORMAT.COM, and CHKDSK.EXE already come compressed
  >    but yes, packing the others (PKLITE) reduced overall size by
  >    almost 11%.  Good idea, thanks!

  Vernon, if you're trying to shrink 'em (and I have a similar disk to
  yours for traveling) I used the COMTOEXE and then LZEXE so that I
  didn't have to buy PKLITE.  Nothing wrong with buying PKLITE, but
  for those reading this message, there's the other way "out."

         _____oOOo_/00\_oOOo_____      [e-mail]
     1996          \__/            201 WINDING BROOK Dr, GARNER NC 27529

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Full Internet Access $15.00, [phone] or MMS.NET (1:151/102)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 17 Mar 96  15:27:05
  From: Stamatis Kantartzis                          Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jim Danvers                                  Mark:
  Subj: Prompt
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Hi Jim! What's up?

On 16-Mar-96, at 09:23:00, Jim Danvers wrote this to All about Prompt:

 JD> Hi guys... I would like to get a "spinning wheel" type
 JD> prompt for command lines. IE;, a spinning | symbol... can we do
 JD> this through ansi? That's all.... call me bored. <g>

Here's the latest version of SPIN.BAT:

@echo off
loadbtm on
setlocal

::-----Init spinning characters
set s0=`%=|`
set s1=/
set s2=-
set s3=\

::-----Init pointer to starting position
set s=0

:-----Save cursor
set cursor=%_CO:%_CI

::-----This is for olders version of 4DOS
if "%cursor" eq ":" set cursor=10:100

::-----Turn off cursor
setdos /s0:0

::-----Display title
echo %=nSPIN.BAT - Phi Nguyen 03.04.96%=n
echo Press any key to quit%=n

::-----Display prompt. It requires 2 trailing spaces (1 will be erased)
echos `Please wait:  `

do while %_kbhit eq 0
  ::-----Display spin
  ::     %=b uses to clear the previous spin char (backspace)
  ::     %[s%s] uses to show the current spin char (like *ptr in C)
  echos %=b%[s%s]

  ::-----Increase the pointer to next spin char. It will rotate from
  ::     0 to 3 to 0 to 3 ...
  set s=%@word[%s,1 2 3 0]

  ::-----Do whatever here
enddo

::-----Clear prompt
echos %=r               %=r

::-----Eat keypressed
inkey %%key

::-----Turn on cursor
setdos /s%cursor
endlocal


             |-=-=-=> Sincerely, Stamatis Kantartzis <=-=-=-|

.!. Inflation means the Buck does not stop here...

-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin:  (1:109/570.14)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 21 Mar 96  00:16:11
  From: Paul Emmons                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Dubois                                  Mark:
  Subj: zipping gazillions of tex
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-> Is there a simply way, via batch, to zip up a gazillion *.TXT files
-> into individual zip files and upon completion then delete all the
-> *.TXT files in that directory?
->
-> What I got:  A.TXT, B.TXT, C.TXT ...
-> What I want: A.ZIP, B.ZIP, C.ZIP ...
->
-> There is an easy way.  But I don't know it. :-)

I think the best way is to create a subdirectory to receive the
zip files, or at least put them in a subdirectory which has no
files *.txt.  If this subdirectory is \TEM, then you need:

for %%f in (*.txt) do pkzip -omex \tem\%%f %%f
ren \tem\*.txt *.zip

The pkzip -m flag will remove the files it zips up.  The files
created by pkzip in \tem are originally named *.txt, and you
have to rename them *.zip in a separate line.
-!- FidoPCB v1.4 [ff348/b]
 ! Origin: The Bauding House (1:2626/312) 610/692-7392

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 450                                          Date: 23 Mar 96  23:45:00
  From: Gary Smith                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Dubois                                  Mark:
  Subj: zipping gazillions of tex
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JD> Is there a simply way, via batch, to zip up a gazillion *.TXT files into
  > individual zip files and upon completion then delete all the *.TXT files in
  > that directory?

JD> What I got:  A.TXT, B.TXT, C.TXT ...
  > What I want: A.ZIP, B.ZIP, C.ZIP ...

JD> There is an easy way.  But I don't know it. :-)

The following is fairly straightforward.  It assumes that you're
running it in the directory where the TXT files reside, and does
no error checking.  If you like lots of activity on the screen,
remove the two occurrences of "> nul".

 @echo off
 md $$temp$$
 for %%f in (*.txt) do pkzip -m $$temp$$\%%f %%f > nul
 ren $$temp$$\*.txt *.zip
 move $$temp$$\*.zip . > nul
 rd $$temp$$
-!-
 * OLX 1.53 * Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around

-!- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
 ! Origin: The Computer Room-Pickerington, Oh  (1:226/110.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 26 Mar 96  17:25:02
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: J. Dubois request, others complaints
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> I tried a quick and dirty way to convert .txt files to .zip files
RR> per request of Mr. Dubois.  Per response of Mr. Primus, this method
RR> did not retain the .txt extension within the zipped file.  Per Mr.
RR> Frazee's response, extensionless files in the directory were not
RR> protected.  Per this response, the batch file below handles said
RR> complaints.  It's just not as cheap and dirty as original.  For Mr.
RR> Fraley, I truncated the .txt so that the pkzip command in the
RR> FOR-IN-DO would zip the file and give it the same name, which
RR> resulted in loss of extension inside the .zip file.
RR> I love doing this to get Frazee cranking - hehehehehe.

    Guess who?  <G>

RR> -!---upper extraction line-----
RR> @echo off
RR> if "%1"=="blasphemy" goto blasphemy
RR> ren *.  *.^-^
RR> ren *.txt  *.
RR> for %%x in (*.) do call %0 blasphemy %%x
RR> del *.txt
RR> ren *.^-^  *.
RR> set base=
RR> goto end
RR> :blasphemy
RR> set base=%2
RR> ren %2 %2.txt
RR> pkzip %2 %2.txt
RR> :end
RR> -!---lower extraction line-----

    Here, try this ZIP&DEL.BAT

      @echo off
      >~tmptmp~.bat mode %1
      >invalid.bat echo set ~fn~=%%3
      for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmptmp~.bat
      pkzip -exmo %~fn~% %1 | del invalid.bat

    To use it, first make sure you the above ZIP&DEL.BAT, DOS's MODE.COM
    and Phil Katz' PKZIP.EXE in your PATH (or current directory) and at
    least 18 bytes free environment space.

    Now go to some directory containing at least a few files with the
    same extension, for example ".TXT", and then type the command:

      for %x in (*.txt) do call zip&del %x

    That's it.  When this four-working-line "ZIP&DEL.BAT" gets done:

    a) all the *.TXT files will each be in their own individual
       "samename.ZIP" file

    b) with a date and time stamp matching the original file

    c) and the originals deleted.

    "Kewl" eh?  <G>

    Now give me something to "crank" on.  That may have taken the better
    part of maybe a minute to whip up using nothing more than "COPY CON"
    a-n-d it required no further editing.  <grin>

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 449                                          Date: 27 Mar 96  03:05:37
  From: Dennis Mccunney                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Otto Lang                                    Mark:
  Subj: PATH limit
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 ** From Otto Lang to Dennis McCunney on 24 Mar 96  16:30:00
 ** Re: PATH limit

 DM> JC> Well, some of us STILL use only DOS. Like me. I use a menu program,
 DM> JC> but I also do things from the DOS prompt and from a File Manager
 DM> JC> program. Therefore, I have a fairly long path. Witness:

 DM> JC> Path C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTIL\TV;C:\UTIL\PAK;C:\3DMENU;C:\WP60;
 DM> JC> Path %PATH%;C:\UTIL\PGP;C:\UTIL\UUCODE;C:\SOUND\UTIL\DAPLAY;

 DM>    I still use only DOS here, as well, but I'm at pains to keep my PATH
 DM> short.  The current one is:

 DM> PATH=e:\;c:\usr\batch;c:\usr\vdisk;c:\usr\bin;c:\4dos;c:\usr\lbin;c:\dos;
 DM> c:\bin;c:\dgn;..;.

 OL> There are two lesson I learned early: (1) Keep dir names short, e.g.
 OL> UT or UTL instead of UTIL and (2) if you SUBST U: C:\USR you can save
 OL> a lot of typing and see more of your path line in the autoexec.bat.
 OL> Just don't forget the LASTDRIVE=Z!

    The directory names and directory structure I use are based on those
 used by UNIX.  I learned UNIX before I really spent any time in DOS,
 and I find it simpler to make my DOS environment resemble the one I
 have under UNIX as much as possible.  (With the MKS Toolkit installed,
 that can be more than you would believe...)  I've never found SUBST
 neccessary, and I use LASTDRIVE=E:, since that IS my last drive.

    Seeing the long PATH isn't a big problem, since it isn't that long,
 and I'm more concerned about the number of directories in it than the
 length of the directory names.  Directories are in the PATH in the
 order of frequency of access. I keep the command processor and some
 frequently used utilities on the ramdisk, so that is first in the PATH.

    Saving typing is provided by other 4DOS features.  I set
 environment variables to the names of frequently used directories.
 For example, I have UB=c:\usr\bin in my environment definitions.  4DOS
 interprets variables on the command line as well as in batch files, so
 I can do "p %ub", instead of "pushd c:\usr\bin".  P is an alais for
 PUSHD, an internal command in 4DOS that pushes the current directory
 onto a stack and changes to the drive directory specified as the
 argument.  POPD (aliased to "." here) pops the saved drive/directory
 from the stack and returns me to where I was.


-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: * BlueDog BBS * [phone] * NYC FileBone Hub (1:278/304)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 27 Mar 96  16:30:48
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: IS THIS DIRECTORY EMPTY?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> I use dos 5 and the following works for me.  I use find to pick out
RR> the "2 files and 0 bytes" if a dir is empty.  If not, it doesn't
RR> pick out, and a zero length byte file doesn't get copied, which I
RR> check to see if it exists.  I heard 4dos copies 0 byte files.  Ta
RR> ta.

RR> -!--- snip line-----
RR> @echo off
RR> if "%1"=="/?" goto syntax
RR> dir %1 | find "2 file(s)          0 bytes" > ~~~4now
RR> copy ~~~4now ~~~after > nul
RR> if exist ~~~after echo directory %1 is empty
RR> if not exist ~~~after echo directory %1 contains at least one file
RR> if exist ~~~4now del ~~~4now > nul
RR> if exist ~~~after del ~~~after > nul
RR> goto end
RR> :syntax
RR> echo proper syntax is, for example, isempty c:\utils   or
RR> echo isempty c:\write\wp
RR> :end
RR> -!--- snip line-----

    You don't really need to use FIND and a temporary file to do the
    trick.  For example:

      @echo off
      :CHKDIR - Does it exist?  If so, any files?
       if (%1)==() echo Syntax: %0 [[d:]\]dirname[\dir[\dir\...]]
       if (%1)==() goto End
       if not exist %1\nul echo Directory "%1" does not exist.
       if not exist %1\nul goto End
       if not exist %1\*.* echo Directory "%1" is empty.
       if exist %1\*.* echo Directory "%1" has files.
      :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Get real, get better, get faster, get Terminate! (1:135/71.16)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 27 Mar 96  09:33:30
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Tony Johnston                                Mark:
  Subj: unzip files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TJ> Is it possible to have abat or exe file automatically execute just
TJ> after is has been unzipped. If so how?

    With a ZIP file, fortunately no.  (Makes it to easy for kids to
    automatically launch something destructive).  Of course there is
    nothing stopping you from simply wrapping a BATch file around it:

      @echo off
      :START.BAT
       md c:\whatever
       pkunzip whatever.zip c:\whatever
       for %%x in (c: cd\whatever whatever cd\) do %%x
      :End

    Another alternative is to use ARJ instead of PKZIP.  For example,
    the following single ARJ command will unarchive FOOBAR.BAT from
    archive FOOBAR.ARJ and then immediately launch the FOOBAR.BAT:

    arj b foobar.arj foobar.bat -jqfoobar.bat
    --- - ---------- ----------    ----------
     |  |     |          |             |
     |  |     |          |             |
     |  |     |          |             `-- DOS command to execute after
     |  |     |          |                 the extraction has occurred
     |  |     |          |
     |  |     |          `-- Name of the file to extract
     |  |     |
     |  |     `-- Name of the ARJ archive to use
     |  |
     |  `-- Allow user to execute a DOS command
     |      on selected file(s) in the archive
     |
     `-- Launch ARJ.EXE

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 ! Origin: Terminate SmartNote: Remembers & recalls everything! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 442                                          Date: 28 Mar 96  07:31:30
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Otto Lang                                    Mark:
  Subj: debug or share
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
OL> ... PPT insists on having SHARE.EXE loaded. I guess because of
OL> Windows' multitasking?  Anyway, as soon as I added
OL> INSTALL=C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE to my CONFIG.SYS the next boot hung on
OL> errors in the debug statement in CURRENT.[BAT]. ... Debug ... errors
OL> ... trying to load from ... <temptemp.scr.
OL> :CURRENT.BAT from Fidonet ... BATPOWER. ... Vernon Frazee 01/17/94

    I'm getting the same results here -- under DOS v6.22.  How about a
    newer version, GET-DT.BAT (Get Date and Time), that will not only
    work with SHARE loaded, (and/or should run fine under Windows95),
    but also sets Day in evar "DY", Month in evar "MM", Day date in evar
    "DD", Year in evar "YY", Hour in evar "HR", Minute in evar "MN", and
    Second in evar "SC"?

    :GET-DT.BAT - Type "GET-DT /?" (not the quotes) for help
    :Note: Do NOT put a "@echo off" at the beginning of this file!
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------
     @if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     @if (%1)==(!!) goto GetMDY
     @if (%1)==(!) prompt set dt=!! $d $t
     @if (%1)==(!) goto End
     @echo off
     for %%x in (dt dy mm dd yy hr mn sc) do set %%x=
     command /c %0 !>~tmp_01~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     %0 %dt%
    :GetMDY ------------------------------------------------------
     set dt=
     set DY=%2
     shift|shift
     echo;;|choice /c:;%1%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo set mm=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set dd=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2) do echo shift>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set yy=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     call ~tmp_01~.bat
    :GetHMS ------------------------------------------------------
     echo;;|choice /c:;%2%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo if (%%3)==(:) goto Insert0>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo goto End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :Insert0>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=0%%2>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%4%%5>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%7%%8>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     del ~tmp_02~.bat
    :************************************************************:
    : To display results, change the next line to "goto Display" :
    :************************************************************:
     goto End
    :Syntax ------------------------------------------------------
     @echo off
     cls
     echo     Name: GET-DT.BAT - Get current system Date and Time
     echo.
     echo   Author: Vernon Frazee 06/14/94 - (Last mod: 03/28/96)
     echo.
     echo  Purpose: Store the current system:
     echo.
     echo                Day in evar "DY" (example: DY=Tue)
     echo              Month in evar "MM" (example: MM=05 )
     echo           Day date in evar "DD" (example: DD=31 )
     echo               Year in evar "YY" (example: YY=94 )
     echo               Hour in evar "HR" (example: HR=06 )
     echo             Minute in evar "MN" (example: MN=22 )
     echo             Second in evar "SC" (example: SC=00 )
     echo.
     echo   Syntax: [call] [d:[\path]]GET-DT [/?]
     echo.
     echo    Where: /? displays this help screen
     echo.
     echo Requires: DOS's COMMAND.COM and CHOICE.COM (somewhere in
     echo           the PATH is fine), and 43 bytes of free space
     echo           in the environment.
     echo.
     echo     Note: "evar" is short for "environment variable".
     echo.
     goto End
    :Display -----------------------------------------------------
     echo DY=%dy% MM=%mm% DD=%dd% YY=%yy% HR=%hr% MN=%mn% SC=%sc%
    :End --------------------------------------------------- -vjf-

    (Note: I would normally test this under Windows95 first for you,
    but, at the moment I'm at the beach waiting for breakfast to arrive
    and tapping away on this DOSv6.22/WFWGv3.11 based Laptop. <g>)

    ./~ She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini.. ./~

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 28 Mar 96  06:07:54
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Josef Schwartz                               Mark:
  Subj: how do I...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> The following ANSI escape sequence sets the [UpArrow] so it acts
VF> like a press of the [Enter] key: <-[0;72;"";13p
  > [snip]

JS> What would I have to do to switch the ";"  with the ":" ?

    I used to do that too, years ago, and still have customers
    occasionally requesting the same.  All it really takes is a couple
    of escape sequences, (much like the one above), but, instead of
    trying to explain how to do ANSI escape sequences, I've simply been
    giving them the enclosed SEMISWAP.BAT along with the following

    SEMISWAP.BAT Instructions:

    1) Place a copy of the enclosed SEMISWAP.BAT in a directory in your
       PATH. (For example, in "C:\BAT").

    2) Make sure your CONFIG.SYS file has something similar to the
       following line in it:   DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS

    3) Insert the following line near the beginning of your AUTOEXEC.BAT
       file:   CALL C:\BAT\SEMISWAP.BAT /ON

    4) Reboot and get to the DOS prompt.

    5) Type "SEMISWAP" (not the quotes) and the current status should be
       "SEMISWAP=On".  If it is, your ";" and ":" keys should now be
       swapped.  If not, start back at "1)", making sure sure each and
       every character is correct and that the "drive:\path\" on each
       line actually points to the respective file.  (In other words,
       does the ANSI.SYS file actually exist in directory C:\DOS?; etc.)

------------------------------> Cut Here <------------------------------
@echo off
:SEMISWAP.BAT - Swaps the ":" and ";" keys, or resets to normal.
 goto ParmCheck
:Syntax ----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo     Name: SEMISWAP.BAT (Vernon Frazee 03/11/84, Last Mod 03/28/96)
 echo.
 echo  Purpose: Swaps the semi-colon ";" and the colon ":" keys.
 echo.
 echo           "/On" = Swapped and "/Off" = Normal
 echo.
 echo           In other words, when On or swapped:
 echo.
 echo           a) simply pressing the [;] key will now produce the ":"
 echo              character (instead of having to hold down the [Shift]
 echo              key and pressing the [;] key to get it).
 echo.
 echo           b) and to get the ";" character, you will now have to
 echo              hold down the [Shift] key and press [;].
 echo.
 echo   Syntax: [call] [d:][\path]SEMISWAP [/On (or) /Off (or) /?]
 echo.
 echo           SEMISWAP                  - Display current status
 echo           SEMISWAP /On              - Swap ":" with ";"
 echo           SEMISWAP /Off             - Return ":" and ";" to normal
 echo           SEMISWAP /?               - Display this screen
 echo.
 echo Requires: DOS' ANSI.SYS (or equivalent) and up to 13 bytes of free
 echo           environment space.  (Evar SEMISWAP=On or SEMISWAP=Off).
 goto End
:ParmCheck -------------------------------------------------------------
 if (%1)==() goto Display
 if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
 if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
 for %%x in (on On ON oN) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto On
 for %%x in (off Off OFf OFF oFF ofF) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto Off
 goto Syntax
:Display status --------------------------------------------------------
 if (%SEMISWAP%)==() set SEMISWAP=Off
 echo SEMISWAP=%semiswap%
 goto End
:On (Swap the ";" and ":" keys) ----------------------------------------
 echo  [58;59p [59;58p [1A
 rem  `-------`-------`------- Three [Esc] characters (Alt-27's)
 set SEMISWAP=On
 goto Display
:Off (Unswap the ";" and ":" keys (back to normal)) --------------------
 echo  [58;58p [59;59p [1A
 rem  `-------`-------`------- Three [Esc] characters (Alt-27's)
 set SEMISWAP=Off
 goto Display
:End ------------------------------------------------------------- -vjf-
------------------------------> Cut Here <------------------------------

    6) To view SEMISWAP's brief instructions type:   SEMISWAP /?

    That's it.  Enjoy!

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 431             Rec'd                        Date: 01 Apr 96  08:24:39
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bat Lang                                     Mark:
  Subj: Echoing redirection chara
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> Change to the directory containing your SCRipt files and create
VF> the following 1-line "X.BAT":
VF>   @debug<%1
VF> Now type the command:
VF>   for %x in (*.scr) do call x %x
VF> and all the SCRipt files in the current directory will be
VF> processed by DEBUG.

BL> Vernon, would appreciate a short {^; synopsis that would teach us
BL> all, the set of circumstances that lead to deciding: when it's
BL> better/best to use the FOR...IN...DO from the command line, rather
BL> than including it within a batch file.
BL> I'm sure we will all be grateful for this poop!  Thanks, and Good
BL> Modeming!  /\oo/\

    Hmmm... If it's something that will be used repetitively, I
    usually wrap a BATch file around it.  For instance, the above
    might be _quickly_ thrown together as:

      @echo off
      :DEBUG'EM.BAT
       if (%2)==(~!~) goto DoIt
       for %%x in (*.scr) do call %0 %%x ~!~
      :DoIt
       if (%1)==() goto End
       echo %1
       debug<%1>nul
      :End

    The short solution I gave above must have been because it appeared
    that the user posing the question needed to do the task but once.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 425                                          Date: 01 Apr 96  16:51:00
  From: TYRIN PRICE                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: INGRID DEKKER                                Mark:
  Subj: CHOICE
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Hi Ingrid!

ID>Can someone tell me how to use the CHOICE command for more than two options

ID>list the options right behind the number (ie: 1  start anyprogram) without
ID>getting the [Y/N] returned from DOS? Or is it enought to just echo the opti

ID>and set errorlevels without CHOICE?

CHOICE [/C[:]choices] [/N] [/S] [/T[:]c,nn] [text]

/C[:]choices Specifies allowable keys. Default is YN
/N           Do not display choices and ? at end of prompt string.
/S           Treat choice keys as case sensitive.
/T[:]c,nn    Default choice to c after nn seconds
text         Prompt string to display

ERRORLEVEL is set to offset of key user presses in choices.

You could TYPE a text file to the screen or ECHO a menu to the screen
like this...

ECHO 1) Word Processor
ECHO 2) Database
ECHO 3) Spreadsheet
ECHO 4) Telecommunications

And then use CHOICE like this

CHOICE /C1234 /N What'll It Be?
IF ERRORLEVEL 4 TELIX
IF ERRORLEVEL 3 LOTUS
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 DBASE
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 WP

-=Ty=-

 * SLMR 2.1a * BREKFAST.COM halted: cereal port not found.

-!- GOMail v2.0 [94-0021]
 ! Origin: The Home of Aunt Gabby (1:123/17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 444                                          Date: 01 Apr 96  16:33:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Robert Morton                                Mark:
  Subj: Unique filenames
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I took a beautiful batch file by Vernon Frazee and butchered it to
get into envars the last digit of the year, one hex letter/number for
the month, two digits for the day, and the total seconds from the
current hour, minute and seconds plus offsetting it in an envar called
addxx.  I didn't go to the extent of saving the filename-base in an
envar from %1 for you.  Type set to see all.  I now know three tips
of Frazee's seven million.  Used them here.  Never catch that hummer.
Just run it to see the stuff in the environment.  You'll need
CHANGE.COM,
CHOICE, GWBASIC, and CHANGE.COM.
---------------- snip ------------------
    :MORTON.BAT - Type "MORTON /?" (not the quotes) for help
    :Note: Do NOT put a "@echo off" at the beginning of this file!
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------
     @if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     @if (%1)==(!!) goto GetMDY
     @if (%1)==(!) prompt set dt=!! $d $t
     @if (%1)==(!) goto plum
     @echo off
     for %%x in (dt dy mm dd yy hr mn sc) do set %%x=
     command /c %0 !>~tmp_01~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     %0 %dt%
    :GetMDY ------------------------------------------------------
     set dt=
     set DY=%2
     shift|shift
     echo;;|choice /c:;%1%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo set mm=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set dd=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2) do echo shift>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set yy=%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     call ~tmp_01~.bat
    :GetHMS ------------------------------------------------------
     echo;;|choice /c:;%2%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo if (%%3)==(:) goto Insert0>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo goto End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :Insert0>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=0%%2>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%4%%5>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%7%%8>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     del ~tmp_02~.bat
    :************************************************************:
    : To display results, change the next line to "goto Display" :
    :************************************************************:
     goto End
    :Syntax ------------------------------------------------------
     @echo off
     echo Requires: DOS's COMMAND.COM, CHOICE.COM & CHANGE.COM
     echo & GWBASIC (somewhere in the PATH is fine)
     echo.
     goto plum
    :Display -----------------------------------------------------
     echo MM=%mm%=month in hex SS=%ss%=total seconds in time
     echo (hour,min,sec) YY=%yy%=1 digit for year
    :End --------------------------------------------------- -vjf-
    echo ? (%hr%*3600)+(%mn%*60)+(%sc%):system|gwbasic > ~~temp~~.bat
    echo h$=hex$(%mm%):? h$:system|gwbasic >> ~~temp~~.bat
    call change.com ~~temp~~.bat 13,10 32
    for %%x in (dy hr mn sc) do set %%x=
    call change.com ~~temp~~.bat 79,107,255 "~~^~~"
    echo set ss=%%3>~~^~~.bat
    echo set mm=%%8>>~~^~~.bat
    call ~~temp~~
    del ~~temp~~.bat
    del ~~^~~.bat
    set ymds=%YY%%MM%%DD%%SS%
    echo;;|choice /c:;%ymds%; "~~~~~ ">~~~~.bat
    call change ~~~~.bat 91,59,44 ""
    echo set addxx=%%1%%2%%3%%4%%5%%6%%7%%8.%%9>~~~~~.bat
    call ~~~~.bat
    for %%y in (~~~~~ ~~~~) do del %%y.bat
    :plum
---------------- snip ------------------
You'll have to null out the envars later yourself.
L8tr.
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 28 Mar 96  21:25:29
  From: Tony Baechler                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Dubois                                  Mark:
  Subj: zipping gazillions of text files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
|Quoting Jeff to All on 18 Mar 96  23:55:18.|

 JD> Is there a simply way, via batch, to zip up a gazillion *.TXT files
 JD> into individual zip files and upon completion then delete all the
 JD> *.TXT files in that directory?

I recently discovered a util by Horst in HORST_2.ZIP called LISTMOD.
COM which sounds like it might work.  You will have to play around
with this a little, but I think something like this might work.
@ECHO OFF
DIR /B|LISTMOD /S. PKZIP $01 $01.$02 >OUT.BAT
CALL OUT.BAT

I am sure the following is not quite right, so experimentation is in
order here.  HORST_2 was sent into BFDS.
Mail: 1:202/1333 or [e-mail], ftp://ftp.crl.com/users/ba/baechler

... Is that your Tagline or did your mail reader throw up?
-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: Total Control BBS (ltd. hours) (1:202/1333)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 03 Apr 96  09:12:23
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bob Morton                                   Mark:
  Subj: JULIAN DATE 2 ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BM> Does anyone have a batch segment that will read today's date and
BM> convert it to Julian format?
BM> Actually, I need to build up a filename that is guaranteed to be
BM> unique every time it is created.  I need to use two characters out
BM> of the 8.3 format for another purpose, so I have 8.1 left for use.
BM> I was thinking of YJJJHHMM.SSXX   where XX are the two characters I
BM> need to use, but as you can see, that's still one character too
BM> long.  How about converting HHMMSS into relative seconds--a number
BM> from 1 to 86400?   Hmmmmm..that would do it: changes 6 characters
BM> (HHMMSS) into 5 digits--YJJJSSSS.SXX
BM> Guess I'd better not do this arithmetic in batch unless one of the
BM> frequently mentioned utilities will do it.

    How about doing it like this:

    The 1st digit of the filename.  Like you said, use 1 digit for the
    year -- the last digit.  For example, this is 1996 so it would be a
    "6". (Of course this means that a decade from now a filename could
    get overwritten <g>.  I'll come back to this in a sec.).

    The 2nd digit of the filename.  Use 1 digit for the month -- "1"
    thru "9" for Jan thru Sep, and then an "A", "B", and "C", for Oct,
    Nov, and Dec respectively.

    The 3rd digit of the filename.  Use 1 digit for the day -- "1" thru
    "9" for the 1st thru the 9th, and then an "A" for the 10th, "B" for
    the 11th, "C" for the 12th etc. on up thru a "U" for the 31st day of
    the month.

    So far then, out of your "8.1" or "9 total digit" specification, we
    have only used up three digits that cover the Year, Month, and Day.
    That means we still have 6 digits for the hours, minutes, and
    seconds.  And, since the hours minutes and seconds are always no
    more than two digits each, we can now simply use them without having
    to convert a thing.

    For example, right now it is   |  And for an example shows what
    04/03/96 09:39:09 which means  |  happens when the month and day
    the filename would be:         |  get up into the alphabetical
                                   |  chars., on 12/31/96 at 23:59:45
                                   |  the filename would be:
                                   |
      64309390.9                   |    6CU23594.5
      |||||||| |                   |    |||||||| |
      |||||||` `- Seconds          |    |||||||` `- Seconds
      |||||``---- Minutes          |    |||||``---- Minutes
      |||``------ Hours            |    |||``------ Hours
      ||`-------- Day              |    ||`-------- Day
      |`--------- Month            |    |`--------- Month
      `---------- Year             |    `---------- Year

    (BTW, since "A", "B", "C" etc. come after "1", "2", "3" etc. when
    sorted alphabetically, a sorted DIRectory listing will have the
    filenames in sorted by date/time order).

    Now back to the 10 year thing.  In exactly 10 years from say
    "12/31/96 at 23:59:45" it would be
    "12/31/06 at 23:59:45" which, as you can see means that using
    this approach will result with two identical filenames.  This
    probably won't be a problem however since most won't keep data
    files for a decade.  But, if so, one could simply create another
    subdirectory to keep them in.  Say for instance: C:\1990'S,
    C:\2000'S, C:\2010'S etc. or C:\1996, C:\1997, . . . whatever).

    If this approach sounds workable, here's a BATch file that uses
    QBASIC to create the 8.1 portion of your filename and then sticks it
    in an environment variable for you -- (so you can then tack on
    whatever last two digits you want with your BATch file).

    @echo off
    :-----------------------------------------------------------------
    :G9DFN.BAT - Generates a unique 9-Digit left justified 8.1 format
    :            FileName based on current system date & time.
    :  Requires: QBASIC (in PATH) and 16 bytes free environment space.
    :-----------------------------------------------------------------
     set G9DFN=
     echo DIM wn(30):FOR x=1 TO 30:READ wn(x):NEXT x>~tmp~.bas
     echo DATA 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,65,66,67,68,69,70>>~tmp~.bas
     echo DATA 71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85>>~tmp~.bas
     echo yy=VAL(MID$(DATE$,10,1)):mm=VAL(MID$(DATE$,1,2))>>~tmp~.bas
     echo dd=VAL(MID$(DATE$,4,2)):hr$=MID$(TIME$,1,2)>>~tmp~.bas
     echo mn$=MID$(TIME$,4,2):sc1$=MID$(TIME$,7,1)>>~tmp~.bas
     echo sc2$=MID$(TIME$,8,1)>>~tmp~.bas
     echo OPEN "~tmp~.bat" FOR OUTPUT AS #1>>~tmp~.bas
     echo PRINT #1,"set G9DFN=";CHR$(wn(yy));CHR$(wn(mm));>>~tmp~.bas
     echo PRINT #1,CHR$(wn(dd));hr$;mn$;sc1$;".";sc2$>>~tmp~.bas
     echo CLOSE:SYSTEM>>~tmp~.bas
     qbasic /run ~tmp~.bas
     del ~tmp~.bas
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp~.bat
     echo G9DFN=%G9DFN%
    :End ------------------------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 04 Apr 96  11:26:51
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Cole                                    Mark:
  Subj: Need help with a BAT program
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JC> I regularly decode UUENCODED graphics files from an fidoecho. After
JC> saving the UUCODE posts, I drop to DOS decode the file, and then run
JC> my graphics program to see what it looks like. My question is, how
JC> can I call my graphics program and then return to the directory I
JC> called it from? My guess is something like this:
JC>   cd < curdir
JC>   cd c:\graphics\gds
JC>   gds.exe
JC>   cd %curdir%
JC> Would that work?

    Unfortunately no, but, it really isn't much more complicated than
    that.  Here, try it like this:

      @echo off
      :GDS.BAT - Loads GDS and returns to current dir
      :Save current drive:\dir -----------------------
       echo @prompt cd $p$_$n:>%temp%\~tmp~.bat
       %comspec% /c %temp%\~tmp~.bat>%temp%\return.bat
       del %temp%\~tmp~.bat
      :Load GDS --------------------------------------
       for %%x in (c: cd\graphics\gds) do %%x
       gds.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %67 %7 %8 %9
      :Return to saved drive:\dir --------------------
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x %temp%\return.bat
      :End -------------------------------------------

    Note: The five lines beginning with ":" can be removed if you like.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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 ! Origin: Terminate is now specially built for Internet! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 422                                          Date: 04 Apr 96  22:37:05
  From: James Hill                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: MIKE DUTTERA                                 Mark:
  Subj: Get date?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
In a msg on <Mar 05 09:45>, MIKE DUTTERA of 1:270/616 writes:

SH>>What I'd like to do is have a plain vanilla batch file that
SH>>grabs the day of the month so that on the 3rd, for example, I
SH>>could defrag my HD, on the 4th run scandisk, etc. etc.

SH>>I figure it would have to be something that grabs the day of
SH>>the month as an env variable then the calling batch files
SH>>would check this to see if its the right day.

 MD> Piece 'o cake. Just use MS-DOS's DATE and FIND functions in a
 MD> batch using the general form:

 MD> DATE|FIND "-03-"
 MD> IF ERRORLEVEL 0 IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO BLAHBLAH

or you could have done;

echo.|date|find "-03-"|if not errorlevel 1 defrag c: /f /h /sn
echo.|date|find "-04-"|if not errorlevel 1 scandisk c: /autofix

enjoy.

-!- msgedsq 2.1
 ! Origin: Selective On-Line (tm) - Santa Fe, NM - [phone] - (1:15/11)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 424                                          Date: 25 Mar 96  19:04:40
  From: Michael Marquart                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Paul Laufer                                  Mark:
  Subj: Strip .EXT from command line
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 ~~ Paul Laufer said to All ~~
 ~~ Regarding Strip .EXT from command line ~~
 ~~ on 17 Mar 96  22:27:58 ~~

 Hi Paul!

 PL> TESTBAT.BAT C:\PATH\FILE.EXT

 PL> ...I would like this batch file to know that this is an (EXT) file
 PL> and "GOTO EXT".  Then I could process the file as a .EXT file.
 PL> If it's a .ZIP file it would "GOTO ZIP" in the batch process and
 PL> I could process it as a .ZIP file.

 Try this: tested on MSDOS V6.22 and uses only command.com.

 :: Call_me_what_you_will.bat ===========================================
 @echo off
 set exten=%1
 :nextchar
 set prev=%exten%
 for %%f in (/%exten%) do set exten=%%f
 if ".%exten%"=="%prev%" goto extfound
 if not "%exten%"=="%prev%" goto nextchar
 echo There was no extension given on the command line for the filename!
 goto end

 :extfound
 echo Extension is %prev%
 for %%f in (/%prev%) do set ext=%%f
 echo going to label %ext%
 goto %ext%

 :bat
 echo :bat
 goto end

 :com
 echo :com
 goto end

 :exe
 echo :exe
 goto end

 :txt
 echo :txt
 goto end

 :end
 for %%f in (ext prev exten) do set %%f=
 ::======================================================================

 The method was ripped off err... borrowed from one of the good denizens of
 this echo!

 Regards
               Mic


... Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...
-!-
 ! Origin: Melbourne PC User Group  [phone] (3:632/309)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 07 Apr 96  06:43:35
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Osgar Schaedtler                             Mark:
  Subj: FIND, DELETE and FC
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
OS> I've made a file, named FILE1.TXT, made with the command:
OS>   DIR /B /A-D >FILE1.TXT
OS> Now I want to make a program that will do the following thing:
OS> The files in that directory have to be compared with the file
OS> FILE1.TXT. If there are some different files between the files in
OS> the directory and the files in FILE1.TXT, then I want to delete
OS> these files out of the directory.  Has somebody an idea?  I've
OS> tried something with the commands FIND and FC, but that didn't
OS> work. So, help me please!

    There is an easier way.  All it takes is one "for in do" command.

    Let's say you have two directories.  One named MASTER containing the
    files you want to compare to, and another named FOOBAR that contains
    a few files that are named the same as well as some extra junk files
    that you want to get rid of.  For example:

    =================================+==================================
    Directory of C:\MASTER           | Directory of C:\FOOBAR
                                     |
    1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
                                     | 4    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
                                     | 5    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    =================================+==================================

    (IOW, we want to get rid of "4.TXT" and "5.TXT" in C:\FOOBAR).

    All it takes to do this is one DEL command.

    First change to the directory that contains the files you want to
    get rid of -- which in our example here is C:\FOOBAR.  Now type the
    following command at the DOS prompt:

-->   for %x in (*.*) do if not exist c:\master\%x del %x

    And that's it, you'll now have:

    =================================+==================================
    Directory of C:\MASTER           | Directory of C:\FOOBAR
                                     |
    1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    =================================+==================================

    Pretty "Kewl!" eh?  <g>

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 09 Apr 96  22:54:00
  From: Benjamin L Mcgee                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: CHEESY WINDOWS ENVIRON
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here's a little somethin' I came up with so I can safely run
Binkley Term under Windows (so I can play Comet Busters while I
download QWK packets).  It just prevents me from running Bink
twice which causes all sorts of problems, and it compensates for
the lack of a true environment variable under Windows.  An old
trick I'm sure but I thought it might be helpful.

@echo off
cls
if exist c:\binkley\~windows.var goto error

:: set a HARD environment variable
   rem > c:\binkley\~windows.var

:dumb
:: truncate log file
   rem > c:\binkley\binkley.log

:: load vfos
   c:\binkley\vfoss\vfos_ibm
   c:
   cd \binkley
   bt.exe

:: unload vfos
   c:\binkley\vfoss\vfos_del
   del c:\binkley\~windows.var
   goto quit

:error
   echo.
   echo      Binkley Term is already running!
   echo Running Bink twice under Windows is NOT good!
   choice /cyn Do you wish to run Bink again anyway [Y/N]?
   if errorlevel 2 goto quit
   if errorlevel 1 goto dumb

:quit
Benjamin L McGee on 1:15/7

*Drop that pickle.

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Purgatoire BBS, 719-846-0140, Trinidad, CO, V.34 (1:15/7)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 416                                          Date: 11 Apr 96  02:47:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: Yes
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: AVGFILES.BAT
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Hello all,

    I'd sure appreciate if some of you running on MS-DOS 6.nn would run
    the following and report back the resultant "average number of files
    per directory" on your systems.

    @echo off
    :AVGFILES.BAT ------------------------------------------------------
     goto Begin
    :Syntax ------------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo     Name: AVGFILES.BAT v1.00
     echo   Author: Vernon Frazee 04/09/96
     echo  Purpose: Calculate the average number of files
     echo           per directory for the drive specified.
     echo   Syntax: AVGFILES d:
     echo    Where: "d:" is the drive to check
     echo Requires: DOS' CHKDSK, FIND and QBASIC
     echo           (anywhere in PATH is fine).
     echo    Notes: Specified drive must contain at least one
     echo           directory and one file in the root directory.
     echo           Hidden files are NOT included.
     echo           Has only been tested on MS-DOS v6.nn
     echo.
     goto End
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------------
     if (%1)==() goto Syntax
     if not exist %1\nul goto DriveErr
     if not exist %1\*.* goto FileErr
     dir %1|find "DIR"|find "        ">~tmp_01~.dat
     copy ~tmp_01~.dat+,,>nul
     if not exist ~tmp_01~.dat goto DirErr
    :Gather data on specified drive ------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo Counting files and directories on drive "%1" ...
     echo.
     chkdsk %1|find /v "a"|find "in"|find /v "dd">~tmp_01~.dat
    :Display CHKDEK data -----------------------------------------------
     echo CHKDSK data for drive "%1"
     echo.
     type ~tmp_01~.dat
     echo.
    :Create QBASIC program to do the calculations ----------------------
     echo OPEN "~tmp_01~.dat" FOR INPUT AS #1>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo OPEN "~tmp_02~.dat" FOR OUTPUT AS #2>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo DO WHILE NOT EOF(1)>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   LINE INPUT #1, Rec$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   Rec$ = MID$(Rec$, 24, 18)>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo     FOR Count = 1 TO 18>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       IF MID$(Rec$, Count, 1) = "," THEN>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo         Stn$ = "">>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       END IF>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       IF NOT MID$(Rec$, Count, 1) = "," THEN>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo         Stn$ = MID$(Rec$, Count, 1)>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       END IF>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       IF UCASE$(Stn$) = LCASE$(Stn$) THEN>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo         x$ = x$ + Stn$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       END IF>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo     NEXT Count>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   PRINT #2, x$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   x$ = "">>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo LOOP>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo CLOSE>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo OPEN "~tmp_02~.dat" FOR INPUT AS #1>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo LINE INPUT #1, d$: LINE INPUT #1, f$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo a = CSNG(VAL(f$) / VAL(d$))>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo a$ = LTRIM$(RTRIM$(STR$(a)))>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo PRINT "Average number of files";>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo PRINT " per directory: "; a$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo CLOSE : SYSTEM>>~tmptmp~.bas
    :Run QBASIC program ------------------------------------------------
     qbasic /run ~tmptmp~.bas
     echo.
     goto Cleanup
    :DriveErr ----------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo    Error: Drive "%1" is not a valid drive
     goto Syntax
    :FileErr -----------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo    Error: Drive "%1" must contain at least
     echo           one file in the root directory
     goto Syntax
    :DirErr ------------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo    Error: Drive "%1" must contain at least
     echo           one subdirectory
     goto Syntax
    :Cleanup -----------------------------------------------------------
     for %%x in (1 2) do del ~tmp_0%%x~.dat
     del ~tmptmp~.bas
    :End --------------------------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 418                                          Date: 09 Apr 96  08:23:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Scott Sellars                                Mark:
  Subj: Batch File Help...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Scott Sellars to Clay Cherneff (5 Apr 96) <=-

SS> I want to generate errorlevels so i can test out my batch files.

some errorlevel test tools:
-+-+-----
n EL!.COM
e100 BE 81 0 AC "< t"FB "N<0r"1B "+"C0 "*"FF BA A 0 8A 1C "F"80 EB "0"
e11A ":"DA "s"6 F7 E2 1 D8 "s"ED B4 "L"CD "!"BA "3"1 B4 9 CD "!*"C0 EB
e132 F1 "EL! n"D A "sets errorlevel to n=0..255"D A "$"
rCX
58
w
q
-+-+-----
Cut out and save (any filename), then run:  DEBUG < filename

-+-+-.... and to display the errorlevel:
@echo off
:: return errorlevel EL & echo
set !=
set EL=
for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set EL=%%h
if not errorlevel 200 set !=6 7 8 9
for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%t0 set EL=%EL%%%t
if not errorlevel 250 set !=6 7 8 9
for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
echo Errorlevel %EL%
set !=
-+-+-

Horst.

... Q4FM 2.10 ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02 / ScanToss
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 14 Apr 96  20:48:00
  From: Benjamin L Mcgee                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jay Fuller                                   Mark:
  Subj: QUESTION CONCERNING "FIND
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 On 04-09-96 JAY FULLER wrote to ALL...

 JF> Greetings everyone,

Hello!

 JF> I'm attempting to write a batch file that will do the
 JF> following.....
 JF> if find log.txt "SUCCESS" goto success
 JF> if find log.txt "ILLEGAL" goto illegal

Do you program in 'C' or 'C++'?  DOS's IF just ain't that good.

 added /i to ignore case
 added > nul to hide output of find
 find returns errorlevel 2 if an error occured while trying
 to read from the file, errorlevel 1 if no error occured but the
 search string wasn't found, and errorlevel 0 if no error occured
 and the search string was found

find /i "SUCCESS" LOG.TXT > nul
     if errorlevel 2 goto error
     if not errorlevel 1 goto success
find /i "ILLEGAL" LOG.TXT > nul
     if errorlevel 2 goto error
     if not errorlevel 1 goto illegal

Benjamin L McGee on 1:15/7

*Don't read everything you believe.

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Purgatoire BBS, 719-846-0140, Trinidad, CO, V.34 (1:15/7)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 439                                          Date: 16 Apr 96  21:16:19
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Kenny Eschrich                               Mark:
  Subj: old tandy-autoexec
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
KE> I've got a real old Tandy 1000.  In order to use the disk drive, i
KE> have to type F3 before it says Starting IB DOS.  Is there any way
KE> i can do this automatically in like my autoexec or config or
KE> whatever?

    Press the [F3] function key?  I don't believe I've ever heard of
    that one.  Maybe it will only boot from ROM (Read-Only Memory)?

    Anyway, in answer to your question, probably not.  When you see:

      Starting MS-DOS ...

    nothing in CONFIG.SYS has even been processed yet.  The processing
    steps involved in a 'normal' MS-DOS startup is as follows:

    :Begin

    1) ROM program loads the bootstrap program from disk

    2) Bootstrap loads hidden system files and passes control to them

    3) ROM programs and the DOS BIOS combine to produce the I/O code

    4) DOS system generation begins

    5) Does CONFIG.SYS exist?

       No  - use default DOS values and goto "6)"

       Yes - modify DOS default parameters and install user-specified
             device drivers

    6) Is the command processor COMMAND.COM?

       No -  Invoke startup portion of the command processsor and
             goto "End"

       Yes - Invoke startup portion of COMMAND.COM

    7) Is AUTOEXEC.BAT present?

       No  - Issue DOS Date and Time commands and goto "End"

       Yes - Perform the commands in AUTOEXEC.BAT

    8) Terminate the startup portion of COMMAND.COM

    :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 13 Apr 96  17:57:22
  From: Geoff Cutter                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bob Morton                                   Mark:
  Subj: Unique file name - was JULIAN DATE 2 ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
On 07 Apr 96  10:12:00, Bob Morton wrote to Geoff Cutter

 BM> Unfortunately, I need granularity finer than "minute."  It is possible
 BM> two files will be created within the same minute, which would result
 BM> in identical filenames.
Perhaps reserve a character for incrementing:

  set jj=0
  :again
  REM  increment here
  if exist xxxxxxxx.xx%jj% goto again
  REM unique name found

Several programs can increment - any of these:

   BATCHMAN LZH     46761 10/03/94   23:13
   FDATE91C ZIP     76262 23/10/95    1:56
   GET27    ZIP    117869 31/05/95   19:41
   INCVAR   LZH      7598 27/11/93   19:08
   PSIS-500 LZH     22972 15/05/95    5:00

or you could modify Vernon's batch program:

Date: 07 Apr 94  03:04:11
From: Vernon Frazee
Subj: Auto Backups

    The following COUNT.BAT will keep track of how many times it has
    been run.  Change ALL of the "c:\bat" 's to the name of your
    BATch file directory on your system.  (Must be in your PATH too).

@echo off
:COUNT.BAT - Increments the COUNT each time run - (Self modifying!) ----
 if not (%1)==(/?) goto BEGIN
 echo Syntax: COUNT [/0]                (Optional "/0" means initialize)
 goto END
:BEGIN -----------------------------------------------------------------
 set count=1
 if not (%1)==(/0) goto COUNT
:Initialize ------------------------------------------------------------
 find /v ":%count%"<c:\bat\count.bat>c:\bat\count.bat
 goto END
:COUNT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 echo :%count%>>c:\bat\count.bat
 find /c ":%count%" c:\bat\count.bat>countemp.bat
 echo set count=%%2>--------.bat
 for %%x in (call del) do %%x countemp.bat
 del --------.bat
 set count=%count%
:END (Note: COUNT.BAT data storage below) ------------------------ -vjf-

    The following example, W.BAT, uses the above COUNT.BAT to keep track
    of how many times it has been run.  Change whatever you like to suit
    your specific requirements:

@echo off
:W.BAT - Loads WORD each time run and also does a "modified
:        files only" backup to drive B: every 30th time run.
:Notes - Requires COUNT.BAT and DOS's XCOPY both be available
:        somewhere in current PATH.
:Begin --------------------------------------------------------
 echo Loading: WORD ...
 c:
 cd\word
 word
 call count
 echo.
 echo Word has been run %count% times since last backup to B:
 if not (%count%)==(30) goto DONE
:Backup -------------------------------------------------------
 echo.
 echo Please insert your "Word Backup Diskette" in drive
 echo B: and press any key to begin copying file(s). . .
 echo.
 pause>nul
 xcopy c:\word b:\ /m /s /e
 call count /0
:DONE ---------------------------------------------------------
 cd\
 echo.
:End ---------------------------------------------------- -vjf-


regds   Geoff


-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: TARDIS BBS [phone] (3:633/260)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 23 Apr 96  11:26:07
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: DECIMAL TO HEX
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> Here is a decimal to hex converter, but it's 400 some bytes.
RR> -+-+--------------------------------------------------------
RR> n BREAKOUT.LZH
RR> e100 FC "+"ED BE 82 1 B9 80 FD B4 "?U[VZ"CD "!r`PY"F7 D8 99 ...

    How about a simple BATch-file/QBASIC solution:

    @echo off
    :HEX.BAT ----------------------------------------------
     if (%1)==() goto Syntax
     if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
    :Begin ------------------------------------------------
     echo A$=HEX$(%1):? A$:system>~tmptmp~.bas
     qbasic /run ~tmptmp~.bas
     del ~tmptmp~.bas
     goto End
    :Syntax -----------------------------------------------
     echo Syntax: HEX nnn
     echo  Where:     nnn is a Decimal number that you want
     echo                 converted to a Hexadecimal number
     echo   Note:     nnn can be up to nine 9's worth.
    :End -------------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 23 Apr 96  11:26:06
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Malcolm Campbell                             Mark:
  Subj: JULIAN DATE 2 ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
AG> In a message originally to Malcolm Campbell, Vernon Frazee said:
AG> :ZIPLOG.BAT - Change to the directory containing the .LOG file(s)
AG> to ZIP and type "ZIPLOG" (no quotes).

MC> I seem to have missed this   ;-(     Can you please repost?

    Here you go:

    :ZIPLOG.BAT - Change to the directory containing the .LOG
    :             file(s) to ZIP and type "ZIPLOG" (no quotes).
    :Note: Do NOT put a "@echo off" at the beginning of this file!
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------
     @if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     @if (%1)==(!!) goto GetMDY
     @if (%1)==(!) prompt set date=!! $d
     @if (%1)==(!) goto End
     @echo off
     for %%x in (date mm dd yy) do set %%x=
     command /c %0 !>~tmp_01~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     %0 %date%
    :GetMDY ------------------------------------------------------
     shift|shift
     echo;;|choice /c:;%1%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo set mm=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set dd=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2) do echo shift>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set yy=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     del ~tmp_02~.bat
    :Zip'em ------------------------------------------------------
     pkzip -ex %yy%%mm%%dd% *.LOG
     dir %yy%%mm%%dd%.zip
    :Cleanup -----------------------------------------------------
     for %%x in (date mm dd yy) do set %%x=
    :End ---------------------------------------------------------

    Requires CHOICE.COM and maybe 30 bytes free environment space.

MC> Thanks!

    Sure; no problem.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 444                                          Date: 25 Apr 96  17:25:00
  From: Ron Warder                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jerry Dugal                                  Mark:
  Subj: count lines in txt file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 >I need to count the # of lines in a txt file, any one have an idea on the
 >best way to go about doing this?

 Here ya go, courtesy of Prof. Timo Salmi, Finlands resident DOS guru:

   :: LC.BAT -----------------------------------------------------------
   @echo off
   echo +---------------------------------------------------+
   echo . Count the number of lines in the given TEXT file  .
   echo . By Prof. Timo Salmi, [e-mail], 6-Dec-91  .
   echo +---------------------------------------------------+

   rem If no parameters then give the instructions
   if "%1"=="" goto _help

   rem Check that the file exists
   if not exist %1 goto _nofind

   rem Count the lines
  :: Note: As posted in TSBATxx.ZIP, the line below has an error in the
  :: find string. The single "%" should have been "%%", since the single
  :: percent sign is absorbed by DOS's batch handler.
  :: find /v /c "2O4$fD%h38+" %1
   find /v /c "2O4$fD%%h38+" %1
   goto _out

   :_help
   echo.
   echo Usage: LC FileName
   goto _out

   :_nofind
   echo.
   echo File %1 not found
   goto _out

   :_out
   echo on
   :: End of LC.BAT ----------------------------------------------------

  This gives you a count of the number of lines in the specified file by
telling you how many lines -don't- contain the string "2O4$fD%%h38+". Any
string will work, so long as it is unique enough to -not- appear in the file
specified. The string given is as unique as any that I have ever come up with.
If the file being operated on contains that particular string, the result from
LC.BAT will be off by the number of lines that contain the search string.

  Hope this helps solve the problem ....




-!- SLMAIL v4.0a  (#0304)
 ! Origin: Free Spirit =*= SL/RIP =*= 301-283-0917 =*= V32b/HST (1:109/132)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 437                                          Date: 24 Apr 96  20:57:24
  From: Larry Nelson                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bill Martin                                  Mark:
  Subj: For/in/Do ?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
         BILL:

 Subject: FOR/DO...  Clean and Concise explinations?

BM> Can someone offer c clear idea of the usage for "FOR" / "DO".  I for BM>
one reason or another am having a problem getting a grasp on this. BM>
Especially when it is used to run multiple functions on multiple files...
Maybe a BM> "easy" example, as well as an intermediate on and an advanced one?

      The problem you mention is going to need a recursion routine
      but let's start off with a basic For command.

   FOR/IN/DO LOOP:
      The For/in/Do loop is so named for the three words needed to
      make it work. DOS help has a bit to say on the subject and
      while that is a good place to satrt there is a good deal
      more to know about FOR. For is made up of three main parts.
      The call "for", the set "in (.....)", and the command.

            for %%q  in (this is a for loop)    do echo %%q
            ^    ^       ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^         ^    ^
              |                 |                   |
          The call   The set (5 strings)        The command

      For cycles through the 5 strings in this set one at a time with
      the help of %%q. %%q is a local variable that takes on the value
      of each part of the set in turn.
      In people speak one could translate the first cycle of this
      For/in/DO loop as "For this do echo this". The next cycle, "For
      is do echo is".....and so on. the screen result would be......

            this
            is
            a
            for
            loop

      Echoing a list of words probably isn't the most exciting
      thing you have seen a Batch command do so hows about putting
      5 file names in the set....

      For %%q in (this.com is.bat a.txt for.lst loop.pft) do del %%q

      ...and now we have a tool that deletes 5 files.
      For nibbels at the edges of real loopdom in that it is controled
      by the number of strings in the set. The efforts needed to get
      any great amount of work out of it, however, boarder on the
      gymnastic.
      And now to your more advanced question. For can do something
      to a bunch of things or it can do a bunch of somethings to
      one thing, but it can't do a bunch of somethings to a bunch
      of things. Not wothout help that is, and that is where
      recursion comes in.

 RECURSIONS:
      Recursion happens when a Batch file calls itself. Why? You say.
      Well one reason a .bat might need to recycle itself is to run
      multiple functions on multiple files. For/in/do loops won't nest,
      try it and DOS will slap your hands.

      This....

         for %%q in (dos mail wrk) do for %%a in (*.bak *.tmp) del %%a

      will get you this....

         FOR cannot be nested

      Oh poo! Well not to fret, Recursion to the rescue......

         @echo off
         cls
            if not %1! == ! goto %1
            for %%q in (dos mail wrk) do call %0 step2 %%q
            goto L8r
         :step2
            for %%q in (c:\%2\*.bak c:\%2\*.tmp) do del %%q
         :L8r

      Not so pretty as the line we tried above, but it has the advantage
      of not offending Command.com. The first "For" recalls the .bat "%0"
      with the parameters "step2" and "%%q" which is "dos", "mail"
      and "wrk" in turn. The second "For" processes, in turn, each
      directory by deleting each ".bak" and ".tmp" file from the
      directory named in that current cycle of For#1. "c:\%2\%%q"
      in the first cycle of For#2 reads as c:\dos\*.bak. In the
      second cycle it reads "c:\dos\*.tmp"
      Neat Huh!
 :L8r
                 Larry
            ..... In a pinch a stone ax still works.....

-!- Maximus 2.02
 ! Origin: MSDOS MAXIMUS BBS (1:343/101)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 408                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  17:38:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: 1aday.bat             2/2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   [ ...Continued From Previous Message ]

    @echo off
    :1ADAY.BAT runs a specified program once-a-day only ---------------
     if not (%0)==(1ADAY.BAT) 1ADAY.BAT %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
     if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     if not (%1)==() goto Begin
    :Syntax -----------------------------------------------------------
     echo      Name: 1ADAY.BAT
     echo   Purpose: Run a specified command only once a day
     echo    Syntax: 1ADAY program_name/command [parms...]
     echo            1ADAY /C   clears all entries
     echo            1ADAY /?   displays this help
     echo   Example: 1ADAY DEFRAG C: /F /SN
     echo  Requires: DOS v6.nn+'s FIND.EXE (in current PATH) and
     echo            29 bytes free environment space.
     echo Important: 1ADAY.BAT is self modifying!  It keeps track of
     echo            when and what was run at the end of itself.
     echo            Therefore all occurences of "1aday.bat" below
     echo            must be changed to include the complete path to
     echo            1ADAY.BAT.  From "1aday.bat" to "c:\bat\1aday.bat"
     echo            for example.
     goto End
    :Begin ------------------------------------------------------------
     set ~prefix~=:
     set ~prefix~=%~prefix~%:!
     for %%x in (c C) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto ClearData
    :GetDate ----------------------------------------------------------
     echo set ~date~=%%3>~tmptmp1.bat
     dir/-p ~tmptmp1.bat|find "~TMPTMP1 BAT">~tmptmp2.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmptmp2.bat
     del ~tmptmp1.bat
    :Has current command already been run today? ----------------------
     find/i "%~prefix~%%~date~%%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9" 1aday.bat>nul
     if errorlevel 1 goto Nope
     :Yep ----------------------------
      echo The command:
      echo %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
      echo has already been run today.
      goto Cleanup
     :Nope ---------------------------
      echo %~prefix~%%~date~%%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9>>1aday.bat
      call %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
      goto Cleanup
    :ClearData --------------------------------------------------------
     type 1aday.bat|find /v "%~prefix~%">1aday.bat
    :Cleanup ----------------------------------------------------------
     rem for %%x in (prefix date) do set ~%%x~=
    :End - Data storage begins below. - Type "1ADAY /?" for info. -----
    ::!04-23-96dirg:\*.*

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 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 419                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  12:57:21
  From: Michael Barnes                               Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jason Laviska                                Mark:
  Subj: Command line arguments
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Jason Laviska wrote in a message to All:

 JL>      Is there a way to transmit the entire list of command
 JL> parameters to a program which will allow me to use more than nine
 JL> arguments using a batch file in dos 6.x?  Right now all I have
 JL> is...
 JL> @Echo off
 JL> C:\LASRCOMP\LASRCOMP.EXE %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
 JL> If Errorlevel==0 Echo Files are identical
 JL> If Errorlevel==255 Echo Files are different
'Lo Jason,

  Yes, use the shift command. (as in the example below)
but first..  you must list your errorlevel checks in reverse order- such as:
IF ERRORLEVEL 255 GOTO ERROR255
IF ERRORLEVEL 254 GOTO ERROR254
~~~
IF ERRORLEVEL 1   GOTO ERROR001
IF ERRORLEVEL 0   GOTO ERROR000
-!- Now on to the example ---
10PLUS.BAT
:START
IF '%2'=='' THEN SET LASTPARAM=TRUE
ECHO %1>>OUTPUT.TXT
IF '%LASTPARAM%'=='TRUE' THEN GOTO END
SHIFT
GOTO START
:END
TYPE OUPUT.TXT |MORE
-!- So, type:
10PLUS ONE 2 THREE 4 FIVE 6 SEVEN 8 NINE 10 ELEVEN 12 THIRTEEN 14 [ENTER]
and the file OUPUT.TXT will contain all 14 parameters. (the magic is in the
shift)

Sincerely,

Michael
-!- GEcho 1.20/Pro
 ! Origin:   On a clear disk, you can seek for ever      (1:271/210)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 439                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  17:38:10
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Ronald Mendoza                               Mark:
  Subj: Random message display
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RM> Now what exactly do you mean by "CHOICE.COM" is required in the PATH
RM> somewhere...How do you do this?? ANything special? Or do I just add
RM> "c:\dos\choice.com" to my path in my autoexec.bat???? Please clarify
RM> this for me! Thanks a lot!

    At the DOS prompt, you can type:

      PATH

    to view the directories in your current PATH.

    If you keep CHOICE.COM in your C:\DOS directory, (most do), just
    make sure the directory:

      C:\DOS

    is one of the directories in your current PATH.

    For example, here is the beginning of my current PATH (displayed by
    typing "PATH"):

      PATH=g:\key;c:\bat;c:\util;c:\dos;c:\pk;c:\scan
                                 ~~~~~~

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 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 440                                          Date: 25 Apr 96  10:45:48
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jesse Jordan                                 Mark:
  Subj: Random numerical stuff
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Hello Jesse,

    If I've already answered the following, please ignore this dupe.
    BBN, "Buggy BossNode" ;(

JJ> Great so far! I have no idea how you got the date in this message,
JJ> but could you get the little split-seconds? I could use that
JJ> variable for the random number. And since it needs to be under 100,
JJ> 60 works great... That way, the role-playing character can start
JJ> low, and work stats up. See, in using seconds, I usually get stats
JJ> like this:
JJ>   15
JJ>   22  <--doesn't take this much time, but the example stands of it
JJ>   35  <--passing from lesser to greater.
JJ>   46
JJ>   56
JJ> It creates them in numerical order as the calls to the
JJ> variable-catching bat are made.
JJ> To speed things up, how about a bat the only catches the
JJ> splitsecond? <I couldn't do it if my life depended on it.>

    @echo off
    :RND.BAT - Copies the two digit hundredths-of-a-second
    :          from the current system time into an
    :          environment variable named RND.  Requires
    :          DOS's CHOICE.COM (somewhere in the PATH) and
    :          17 bytes free environment space.
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------
     ver|time>~rndtmp~.bat
     echo set rnd=%%3>current.bat
     call ~rndtmp~.bat
     del current.bat
     echo;;|choice /c:;%rnd%; "current ">~rndtmp~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8) do echo shift>>current.bat
     echo if not (%%1)==(.) shift>>current.bat
     echo if (%%1)==(.) shift>>current.bat
-->  echo set rnd=%%1%%2>>current.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~rndtmp~.bat
     del current.bat
     echo RND=%rnd%
    :End --------------------------------------------- -vjf-

    Note: You can simply change the "%%1%%2" in the line marked with
          "-->" to "%%2%%1" if you'd rather have the second digit of the
          100ths of a second first.  For example, as it is, if the
          current time was "10:49:15.24a" the RND evar would be "24".
          If you reverse the %%1%%2 to %%2%%1, it would be "42".

JJ> Thanks for your help!

    Sure, no problem.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 418                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  08:36:01
  From: Greg Smith                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jerry Dugal                                  Mark:
  Subj: count lines in txt file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For reasons that are still not clear, Jerry Dugal said...

 JD> I need to count the # of lines in a txt file, any one have an idea on
 JD> the  best way to go about doing this?

Here we have one of those cases where we use a DOS command for something
completely different than what it was intended for...

@echo off
:: LCOUNT.BAT  - puts line count of specified file into LINES env variable
:: ---------------------------
:: Usage: LCOUNT filename.ext
:: ---------------------------
if (%1) == () EXIT
echo IF (%%1%) == () GOTO RERUN > --------.BAT
echo SET LINES = %%2% >> --------.BAT
echo  GOTO EXIT >> --------.BAT
echo :RERUN >> --------.BAT
find /V /C "-[gobbley&gook]-" %1 >> --------.BAT
:: you can use any "string" that you KNOW is NOT in the TEXT file to search.
echo :EXIT >> --------.BAT
call --------.BAT
del --------.BAT


-!- JMail-G 2.80a
 ! Origin: ACCENT! - Chandler, AZ - [phone] (1:114/402)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 429                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  12:03:11
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jerry Dugal                                  Mark:
  Subj: count lines in txt file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JD> I need to count the # of lines in a txt file, any one have an idea
JD> on the best way to go about doing this?

    If you mean count all the lines in a text file that:

      1) actually contain text (in other words, don't count the
         blank lines)

    and

      2) all the lines of text have at least one space somewhere in
         the line

    then the following DOS command will work:

      TYPE name_of_file|FIND /C " "


    If you want to count _ALL_ of the lines in a text file AND you know
    that NONE of the lines would contain some strange sequence of
    characters like say:

      ~!1@2#3$4~

    the following DOS command will work:

      TYPE name_of_file|FIND /C /V  "~!1@2#3$4~"


    And if you wanted to do something like count only the lines that had
    the string "the" in them, either upper- or lower-case, the command
    would be:

      TYPE name_of_file|FIND /C /I "the"


    How many fonts are being loaded in Windows 3.1n's WIN.INI?

      TYPE C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI|FIND /C ".FO"


    'Kewl' eh? <g>

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 28 Apr 96  11:58:00
  From: Benjamin L Mcgee                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Vernon Frazee                                Mark:
  Subj: ERRORLEVEL
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 BLM> if errorlevel 255 echo 255
 BLM> if etc. etc. etc. ...
 BLM> if not errorlevel 1 echo 0

 VF>     How about something just a wee bit shorter (and faster)
 VF> than the above 257-line (minimum) monster:

[inspiring code deleted....]

Your code inspired me to pen the following, which seemes to work
fine for me.  Do you see any potential (or current) problems with
it.  Thanx blm

@echo off
:: EL.BAT blm 1996
:: Set "ERROR" environment variable to last ERRORLEVEL
:: and echo ERRORLEVEL

set error=
set errh=0
set errm=0
set errl=0

for %%h in (1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set errh=%%h
for %%m in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %errh%%%m0 set errm=%%m
for %%l in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %errh%%errm%%%l set errl=%%l

for %%e in (%errh% %errm% %errl%) do if not "%%e"=="0" set error=%error%%%e
if "%error%"=="" set error=0

set errh=
set errm=
set errl=

echo Errorlevel %error%
Benjamin L McGee on 1:15/7

*FACT: There are more horse's asses than there are horses

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Purgatoire BBS, 719-846-0140, Trinidad, CO, V.34 (1:15/7)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 29 Apr 96  18:42:00
  From: Jason Laviska                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Command line arguments
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     After all useful messages concerning the SHIFT function, I would like to
say thanks to those who have responded with tips and hints.  I have pretty much
combined all the messages regarding this topic and ended up using this batch
file below.  This message is mainly for those people who helped me, but
couldn't come up with the full solution.  If you see any problems with it, let
me know.

  @Echo Off
  If Exist LCDATA.TMP Del LCDATA.TMP >Nul
  If "%1"=="" Goto ERROR
  :START
  If "%1"=="" Goto RUNLC
  Echo %1 >>LCDATA.TMP
  SHIFT
  GOTO START
  :ERROR
  Echo No Command Line Parameters!
  C:\LASRCOMP\LASRCOMP.EXE /?
  Goto END
  :RUNLC
  C:\LASRCOMP\LASRCOMP.EXE @LCDATA.TMP
  Del LCDATA.TMP >Nul
  :END

     First it will check to see if the temporary exists, and if so, it will
delete it.  Next, it will create a file called LCDATA.TMP and store all the
command line variables by looping the command arguments using the SHIFT
command.  If there are no arguments were given to the batch file, it will
display the help file for LASRCOMP.EXE using the /? switch.  Afterwards, it
will then run the program using the temporary file as its command parameter.
(LaserCompare WILL read the file contents and use it as its command line if you
put a "@" sign in front of it.)   In the end, the batch file will discard the
temporary file.
- Jason Laviska

 ! Origin: _C_E_N_T_R_A_L__S_T_A_T_I_O_N_ * OS/2 * Melbourne,FL * (1:374/31)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 434                                          Date: 29 Apr 96  05:31:26
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Gary Smith                                   Mark:
  Subj: ERRORLEVEL
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> How about something just a wee bit shorter (and faster) than the
VF> above 257-line (minimum) monster:

GS> Your routine is prretty cool, but this one is shorter and uses no
GS> more than seven bytes of environment space.

GS> @echo off
GS> ::
GS> :: Set environment variable EL to the current error level,
GS> :: expressed as a 1-3 digit number (leading zeros suppressed).
GS> ::
GS> for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set EL=%%h
GS> if %EL% == 0 set EL=
GS> if errorlevel 200 for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5) do if errorlevel
GS>    2%%t0 set EL=2%%t
GS> if not errorlevel 200 for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if
GS>    errorlevel %EL%%%t0 set EL=%EL%%%t
GS> if %EL% == 0 set EL=
GS> if errorlevel 250 for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5) do if errorlevel
GS>    25%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
GS> if not errorlevel 250 for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if
GS>    errorlevel %EL%%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
GS> echo Error level = %EL%
GS>
GS> Note: indented lines are continuations for the preceding lines, so
GS> there are actually only seven "working" lines in the file. If you
GS> want a result that's always three digits, instead of dropping
GS> leading zeros, remove the two lines which begin "if %EL% == 0".

    Pretty cool!  Beat my filesize by a single byte.  Yours was 444
    compared to mine at 445.  Went to work on yours though and durn
    near whittled 100 bytes, down to 348:

      @echo off
      set A=0 1 2 3 4 5
      set B=%A% 6 7 8 9
      set C=errorlevel
      set D=) do if %C%
      set F=for %%x in (
      set G= set E
      %F%0 1 2%D% %%x00%G%=%%x
      if %C% 200 %F%%A%%D% 2%%x0%G%=2%%x
      if not %C% 200 %F%%B%%D% %E%%%x0%G%=%E%%%x
      if %C% 250 %F%%A%%D% 25%%x%G%=%E%%%x
      if not %C% 250 %F%%B%%D% %E%%%x%G%=%E%%%x
      echo %E%
      %F%A B C D E F G) do set %%x=

    Applied the same technique to mine and it's now at 329 bytes:

      @echo off
      set F=for %%x in (
      set E=errorlevel|%F%A B) do set %%x=0 1 2 3 4 5
      if not %E% 250 set A=%A% 6 7 8 9
      if not %E% 200 set B=%A%
      %F%1 2) do if %E% %%x00 set C=%%x
      %F%%B%) do if %E% %C%%%x0 set D=%%x
      if (%C%%D%)==(0) set D=
      set C=%C%%D%
      %F%%A%) do if %E% %C%%%x set D=%C%%%x
      echo %D%
      %F%A B C D E F) do set %%x=

    (Yours displays errorlevels with leading zeros, mine does not).

    Of course as you can tell, with these particular variations I wasn't
    worried about environment space nor the number of lines.  All I was
    really concerned with is simply the fewest number of bytes required
    to get the job done, (and, using nothing more than COMMAND.COM).

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 07 May 96  21:12:10
  From: Andy Guess                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Kwiatkowski                            Mark:
  Subj: FOR/DO...  Clean and Conc
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LK->Hokay - I understand the for-in-do function. Could anyone hazard a guess wh
LK->it will not work, for example, in autoexec with multiple "set" commands? Th
LK->has always puzzled me.

For multiple SET's on one line, use:
SET variable1=value1|SET variable2=value2|SET variable3=value3
You can do that as long as the line is less than 128 characters.
Hope I helped!
Cya,
-AG


 * SLMR 2.1a * Is this yours? Your dog left it on my lawn ...

-!-
 ! Origin: * My Place BBS * Bowie, Md USA * V.34 * [phone] * (1:109/570)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 450                                          Date: 06 May 96  14:58:47
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Joe Kron                                     Mark:
  Subj: Text Input HELP!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JK> See PC Mag. 5-25-'93 pg. 299. This is one of many third party string
JK> input utilities. ANSWER is another in The Best of IBM PC Shareware
JK> that puts the string in an EVAR. There is also PC Mag's STRINGS
JK> which does this and more. But I must say the best answer is still
JK> 4DOS.

    Why go searching for a third and/or spending money when DOS provides
    the capability?

      @echo off
      :INPUT.BAT puts what is typed next in environment variable INPUT
       set input=
       echo INPUT.BAT
       echo Type in something and press [Enter]
       fc con nul /lb1 /n|date|find "    1:  ">temptemp.bat
       echo :Loop>>enter.bat
       echo if not (%%input%%)==() set input=%%input%% %%5>>enter.bat
       echo if (%%input%%)==() set input=%%5>>enter.bat
       echo shift>>enter.bat
       echo if not (%%5)==() goto Loop>>enter.bat
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x temptemp.bat
       del enter.bat
       echo The string you just entered:
       echo %input%
       echo has been stored in an environment variable named INPUT
      :End

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 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 07 May 96  19:02:00
  From: Jeff Brielmaier                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Osgar Schaedtler                             Mark:
  Subj: DETECT IF WINDOWS IS RUNN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
OS>Is there a way to detect, in a batch file, if Windows is running?

   set|find "windir= >nul
   if errorlevel 1 goto NotRunning
   ....Windows is running....

 * KingQWK 1.05 # [PK] * DESQview vs. Windows is a no-Win situation.

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: HAL-PC - [phone] (1:106/4100)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 431                                          Date: 05 May 96  10:08:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Vernon Frazee                                Mark:
  Subj: ERRORLEVEL
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Vernon Frazee to Gary Smith (29 Apr 96) <=-

VF>     [....]
VF>     Applied the same technique to mine and it's now at 329 bytes:

VF>       @echo off
VF>       set F=for %%x in (
VF>       set E=errorlevel|%F%A B) do set %%x=0 1 2 3 4 5
VF>       [....]

Wow! But what shall I do with the rest of the 32Kb cluster?

Wouldn't it be more useful to have a routine that's simple and
easy to understand? For example:

 @echo off
 set !=
 for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set EL=%%h
 if not errorlevel 200 set !=6 7 8 9
 for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%t0 set EL=%EL%%%t
 if not errorlevel 250 set !=6 7 8 9
 for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
 echo %EL%
 set !=
 set EL=

No fluff to save space ;-) ... and only 316 bytes.

VF>     ..... displays errorlevels with leading zeros, mine does not

Would require minor modifications (+24 bytes) - but I prefer to
leave it as simple as it is.

Horst.
... Q4FM 2.10a ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02 / ScanToss
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 12 May 96  23:40:02
  From: Raphael Neve                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: John Medland                                 Mark:
  Subj: deleteing the undeletable dir
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Following up a message from Malcolm Campbell to John Medland:

 JM=> I had this problem a year or so ago and it's come back to haunt
 JM=> me. Some one had given me a solution but I've lost the message
 JM=> now. The problem:
 JM=> A directory has been renamed using an illegal name.
 JM=> Dos can't delete or rename the dir. No programs can delete it
 JM=> either. It was named c:\max\cbv, but the name has been changed to
 JM=> c:\max\cbv    á. Anyone?

if you really want to get radical, you can always use a disk sector editor to
delete the file "by hand" :) seriously... all you have to do is:
a) load up your favourite sector editor
b) search for a distinguishing string (the directory name in question (CBV) or
any other file in the same directory... make sure you do all capitals
c) make sure you've got the right file / directory name
d) check again
e) kneel down in front of the computer and call upon the computer gods to
protect you
f) cross fingers and touch wood
g) replace the first character of the file or directory name by E5
h) make sure you don't change anthing else
h) save and quit

check you did it right by doing a dir. if you still see it and you're sure you
saved, then you've done something wrong and the results are unpredictable. if
you don't then you're well on your way to becoming a die-hard-disk-sector-
editor guru. then run scandisk to get rid of the lost clusters (ie all the
stuff that didn't get unlinked when you got rid of the directory or file
"manually")

note: kids, don't do this at home!!!

raph.

p.s. this is accurate: in a nutshell, dos recognises files that are deleted
from those that aren't by checking if the first character of a filename /
directory name is 'e5'. when you delete a file, all that happens is this
character gets written in the fat on top of the first character of the filename
(well, actually the associated clusters are freed too but that's nothing to do
with the fat). anyway... by writing this character in there yourself, you
effectively delete the file.

... Buy Stacker?  Why not just delete Windows?
-!- FMail 0.96Γ
 ! Origin:  Canada Dry BBS - France * 3 lines on 47.29.33.85  (2:321/1)


─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 14 May 96  20:15:46
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: errorlevel
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LN> Here's my 2 bits worth.
LN>
LN> ::ERR.BAT/DOS6.20
LN> :: Tested through errorlevel 26
LN> @echo off
LN> cls
LN> for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set L=%%h
LN> for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %L%%%t0 set L=%L%%%t
LN> for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %L%%%u set L=%L%%%u
LN> echo errorlevel=%L%
LN> set L=
LN> :L8r
LN>
LN> Less code, no temp files, 1 envar, and 280 bytes.
LN> :L8r

    A measly 7 more bytes and you get 'em all:

      @echo off
      set e=Errorlevel|set !=|set p=for %%t in (0 1 2
      %p%) do if %e% %%t00 set L=%%t
      if not %e% 200 set !=6 7 8 9
      %p%3 4 5 %!%) do if %e% %L%%%t0 set L=%L%%%t
      if not %e% 250 set !=6 7 8 9
      %p%3 4 5 %!%) do if %e% %L%%%t set L=%L%%%t
      set !=|set L=|set e=|set p=|echo %e%=%L%

    <g>
-!- Terminate 4.00
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 441             Rec'd                        Date: 22 May 96  18:04:53
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bat Lang                                     Mark:
  Subj: FOR/DO...  Clean and Conc
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF>   for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
VF> If you'll watch DOS process this line, you can see it doing
VF> exactly the same thing as the above four individual lines
VF>   SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
VF>   SET TMP=C:\TEMP
VF>   SET LIST=C:\TEMP
VF>   SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP

BL> Which is faster in execution, your first quoted line, or?:
BL> SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP

    To slow them down enough to be able to even time them, I did 10
    iterations of each.  IOW,

    @echo off
    :FORINDO.BAT
    for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
    for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
    for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
    ... 10 of these for-in-do's ...

    @echo off
    :SET-EACH.BAT
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TMP=C:\TEMP
    SET LIST=C:\TEMP
    SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    set temp=c:\temp
    set tmp=c:\temp
    set list=c:\temp
    set ahdtmp=c:\temp
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TMP=C:\TEMP
    SET LIST=C:\TEMP
    SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    ... 10 sets of these groups of four ...

    @echo off
    :ALLON1.BAT
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    ... 10 of these lines ...


    I then ran each 10 times and averaged the elapsed times.  Results:

      BATch file    Elapsed Time
      ------------  -------------
      FORINDO.BAT    1:59 seconds
      SET-EACH.BAT   1:37 seconds
      ALLON1.BAT    10:99 seconds

    Yep, I couldn't believe it either. <G>

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 419                                          Date: 23 May 96  16:49:56
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jesse Block                                  Mark:
  Subj: Bat Needed!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JB> The other day, we were tring to make a Batch file that would comb
JB> through an ASCII file and pullout all the web address, then, put
JB> them into another ASCII file called NET.TXT.    We found this could
JB> do it from MS_DOS 6.22:
JB>
JB>   for %f in (*.txt) do find "http:" %f > net.txt
JB>
JB> but for some reason, we couldn't use this in a batch file.  It kept
JB> coming back "syntax error" but it worked fine from a dos prompt. So,
JB> here's my problem:
JB>
JB> 1. Can this be done as a batch file in a different way?
JB>
JB> 2. What did I do wrong that _this_ wouldn't work?

    DOS strips one of the percent signs when for-in-do is being used in
    a BATch file.  Therefore, if you'll change both occurances of "%f"
    to "%%f" it should work just fine.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 407                                          Date: 23 May 96  10:24:40
  From: Richard Epling                               Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Alan Milewczyk                               Mark:
  Subj: Capturing date in a batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    From: Alan Milewczyk                       Time: 05-19-96 13:30:30
> I want to be able to capture today's date into a batch file to enable
> me to copy files in a specific directory with the attribute flag set.
> How do I capture the date and pass it over to the copy file routine.

I don't understand how you would use the date to copy the files but I'm
assuming you do. One way you could do this would be to get the output of a
DATE command into a temporary batch file which you could then use to run
another batch file to do what you want to do. For example;

@ECHO OFF
ECHO.|DATE|FIND /I "CURRENT">TEMP.BAT

That will put the line "Current date is Thu 05-23-1996" into TEMP.BAT.
You can then either have a batch file name CURRENT.BAT to do the work, and
CALL TEMP.BAT or ECHO the commands you want to CURRENT.BAT. For example to
set an environment variable with the current date you could continue the
above example with these lines;

ECHO SET D8=%%4>CURRENT.BAT
CALL TEMP.BAT

That will give you an environment variable you might be able to use in your
other batch command. Note the double percent sign is required here. The
contents of CURRENT.BAT would be "SET D8=%4." CALLing TEMP.BAT would cause it
to run CURRENT.BAT which would set the variable for you. Hope this is what you
need.

Richard
-!- FreeMail 1.09
 ! Origin: Electric Eye-28.8 Sacramento,CA(916)441-5465    (1:203/65)


─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 449                                          Date: 27 May 96  00:00:00
  From: Mike Zeleski                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Robin Chapple                                Mark:
  Subj: Where To Start?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RC>Greetings To All!

RC>         I'm wanting to learn more about batch file programming.
RC>         Where does a 'know nothing' start?

With the basics...  :-}

RC>Is there a file I can download?

Several, notably you should look for MUF17, and any one of several Batch
programming tutorial that exist on the Nets...

RC>Is there a good book that I can buy?

Several, however you should already have a good one already...

Your Dos Manual, and the Dos Help program.  While they are not
particularly batch specific, they will help a lot.

The other features of BFP are not all that bad to master.
Excluding ordinary Dos commands, BFP just adds a few instructions,
labels, and variables to the mix...

Lets see...
%1-%9 are handled much like Dos command line variables,
There is a IF (?) command, Labels to go to, and several other bits...

See below for a few examples.  This little bit is notoriously short on
how to's beyond the vary basic minimums, but frankly let's discuss them
later when you have specific questions to ask...

[Start Mike's BFP MiniFaq.]

Batch file program is based on the simple conjecture that it is easy to
create a user readable text file program/utility that simply stacks Dos
commands together with just a few special BFP commands to do actions
like move a file or create a directory and move to it without having to
create a program to do so from scratch...

This can be a simple way to automate anything that you do more than
once. With a few external Batch programming aids, the use of command
line variables, internal variables, Qbasic calls, stacked commands,
errorlevel jumps, Labels, and Goto's these "little" programs can get
quite sophisticated and complicated in a hurry.

However BFP is best when kept to the basics for most mundane everyday
uses, as in good engineering KISS is the word.  As a tip I often use a
little batch file that dumps doskey's remembered commands into a little
batch file and immediately edit it like so.

Qckbat.bat (Use D:\path\xxxxxxxx.bat CM parameter)

DOSKEY /HISTORY > %1
EDIT %1

This little example dumps past instructions into a batch file and
immediately sends you into edit to make some small changes to that
batch file. (You must have doskey loaded to make this work.)

I also used a Batchfile program to present a nice menu with ansi.sys
commands and a external utility to run my most frequently used programs
from. I did this to even run some Windows programs or plain Windows by
itself. Did you know that you can start Windows and run a Windows program
immediately from the commandline...

In fact here are a few clips from that menu, (If you want the entire
thing including the utility I used to use, Netmail me.) One of the
below clips includes the most efficient defrag command line I know of.
It's only a few percent better than a simple consolidation, but what the
hay, you might as well do it right...

[quote mode on.]

:run_defr
C:\d\defrag C: /F /S:E
goto restart2

:run_qmdm
win c:\qmpw\qmwin qmwin.phn 1
rem This little string starts Windows, my old Q-modem terminal program,
rem calls my main bbs mail #, and it's attached script.  Mail run.
rem Automation! 3 command line parameters for two different programs.
goto restart

:winstart
win
rem Run Windows.
goto restart

:wp_60
win C:\wp60\wp
rem Same as above with Word Perfect 6 for windows.
goto restart

:win_word
win C:\winword\winword.exe
Rem Yes, I do Microsoft apps. But you should hear the wave file attached
rem to this program's start up it. Ahooga.wav
goto restart

:Gramtx_5
Win: c:\gmkw\gmkw.exe
rem sometimes we use bad english, don't we...
goto restart

[quote mode off.]

Some other useful examples...

MDCD.BAT (Use xxxxxxxxxxx directory name CM param.)

MD %1
CD %1

This little BFP creates the directory and moves you directly into the
directory that it just created.  Use just like you would use both MD &
CD, but it combines them into just one command...

Header.bat (Use D:\path\xxxxxxxx.txt CM parameter.)

@Echo (One line of text here) > JUNK.txt
copy JUNK.TXT + %1 %1
del junk.txt

This little installs adds one line of prespeficified text into the
beginning of every file indicated as the commandline parameter.

If you want to add more than one line then you do it this way...

Header.bat (Use D:\path\xxxxxxxx.txt CM parameter.)

@Echo (One line of text here) > JUNK.txt
@Echo (Next line of text here) >> JUNK.txt
Rem Repeat the echo as many times as needed.
rem One arrow means make the file, two means add to it, aka append.
copy JUNK.TXT + %1 %1
del junk.txt

Trailer.bat

@Echo (One line of text here) > JUNK.txt
@Echo (Next line of text here) >> JUNK.txt
Rem Repeat the echo as many times as needed.
rem One arrow means make or overwrite the file, two means add to it, aka
rem append.
copy %1 + JUNK.TXT %1
del junk.txt

There are some good BFP FAQ/tutorial files floating around out on the
BBS's, as is the excellent MUF 1.7 file. I suggest you grab them...



-!-
 * OLXWin 1.00b * Always tell her she's beautiful, especially if she isn't. RAH

-!- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
 ! Origin: Father & Son*610-439-1509*Whitehall Pa  (1:2607/112.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 30 May 96  09:04:27
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Errlevel.exe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> I almost sent you the following little ERRLEVEL.COM (& .DOC) in my
VF> last message to you.  It sticks whatever errorlevel you want in
VF> memory so you can then test for it with your BATch file.
VF> ----------------------------->CUT HERE<-----------------------------
VF> NERRLEVEL.ZIP

LN> TKS, Rat.com worked but it was a long way around. Am now waiting for
LN> the sh*t storm when these guys discover that we might actualy stoop
LN> to extraDOS utilities on the odd occation.

    <g>

LN> Has any body actualy found where in memory the errorlevel data is
LN> stored?

    Here, try this -- stick an exit code in memory that can then be
    tested for with one of the EL.BAT files floating around:

    1) Put what's in this     Everything in this column
       column into a file     is merely a comment and
       named GETKEY.SCR:      should not be in the file
       ------------------     ----------------------------
       N GETKEY.COM           Filename will be GETKEY.COM
       A                      Toggle into assembler mode
       MOV AH,00              BIOS read a character and
       INT 16                 put its ASCII code into AL
       MOV AH,4C              Ready to exit with code so
       INT 21                 do it
                              Toggle out of assembler mode
       RCX                    Read register CX and
       8                      stuff file size into it
       W                      Write the file to disk
       Q                      Quit DEBUG

    (Note: Make sure you leave the blank line between "INT 21" and "RCX"
    to toggle DEBUG back out of the assembler mode).

    2) Create the program GETKEY.COM by typing:

         DEBUG<GETKEY.SCR

    3) To test it type:

         GETKEY|EL

       and then press say the [Esc] key.  You should get an errorlevel
       of 27 -- the ASCII code for the Escape character.  Now try it by
       pressing say [Shift-A] (uppercase A) and you should get an
       errorlevel of 65.  Lowercase "A" would be 97, etc., etc., etc.

       Or, you could even use it in a BATch file that would only exit to
       DOS if you pressed say the [Enter] key (ASCII 13):

         @echo off
          echo Press the [Enter] key to exit to DOS
         :Loop
          getkey
          if errorlevel 13 if not errorlevel 14 goto End
          goto Loop
         :End

    (Note: Both DOS and your system's BIOS can process keystrokes.  This
    particular example uses the BIOS but it's just as easy to substitute
    a DOS function call.  In fact, DOS is better for some things because
    it offers several options.  It can display the character you entered
    or discard it, wait for a keystroke or process one only if it's
    there waiting, and it can handle break attempts or ignore them).

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 439                                          Date: 30 May 96  14:27:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: filenames with numerical extensions
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If anybody has a series of files with all digit extensions, I
made the following two batch files to enable switching back
and forth between having or stripping leading zeroes in their
extensions (i.e., renaming the files by changing the extension).
These batch file names may be called whatever_you_want.bat

Rejoin word-wrapped command sentences at the dollar signs, then
delete the dollar signs.(Two sets per file)
------------------------------------------------
::lead000.bat
@echo off
if "%1"=="pancakedough" goto pancakedough
if "%1"=="" goto syntax
set fn=%1
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
            $$$ %fn%.%%x ren %fn%.%%x %fn%.00%%x
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do call %0 pancakedough %%x
goto end
:pancakedough
set k=%2
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
    $$$ %fn%.%k%%%x ren %fn%.%k%%%x %fn%.0%k%%%x
goto end
:syntax
echo enter lead000 file_basename
:end
set k=
------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------
::nolead0.bat
@echo off
if "%1"=="pancakedough" goto pancakedough
if "%1"=="" goto syntax
set fn=%1
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
          $$$ %fn%.00%%x ren %fn%.00%%x %fn%.%%x
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do call %0 pancakedough %%x
goto end
:pancakedough
set k=%2
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
   $$$ %fn%.0%k%%%x ren %fn%.0%k%%%x %fn%.%k%%%x
goto end
:syntax
echo enter nolead0 file_basename
:end
set k=
------------------------------------------------
For example, if you have file.1 through file.25, entering
a command of lead000 file will leave you with file.001
through file.025.  To put them back to original names,
enter nolead0 file

   Roy
 ! Origin: The GIFfer BBS, 75+gig, [phone] (1:377/50)


                                TOP
##############################################################################
─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 423                                          Date: 27 Feb 96  23:40:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Furlan Primus                                Mark:
  Subj: L-O-N-G PATH          1/2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> BTW, I have shown more than a few folks how a PATH of up to at least
VF> 4,096 bytes (yep, that's four-thousand-and-ninety-six characters)
VF> can be created and successfully used... using nothing more than DOS.

FP> i have always kept my PATH to the mininum needed as a matter of
FP> choice

    Same on this end (it's faster).

FP> and just exactly HOW do you do the above anyway???

    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    L-o-n-g PATH "how to" for MS-DOS version 6.nn (any version of DOS 6)
    --------------------------------------------------------------------

    Normally, on most MS-DOS v6.xx systems, when the system boots it
    looks for and loads/runs the following five files -- in this order:

      1) IO.SYS       - basic Input/Output routines
      2) MSDOS.SYS    - basic MicroSoft Disk Operating System routines
      3) CONFIG.SYS   - user created ASCII file (drivers, etc.)
      4) COMMAND.COM  - command line processor
      5) AUTOEXEC.BAT - user created ASCII file (whatever)

    The 4th step, loading COMMAND.COM, is what limits the command line,
    and hence the "PATH=..." line length in AUTOEXEC.BAT, to a maximum
    of 127 characters.

    The 'secret' to creating a l-o-n-g PATH then is to set it up in
    CONFIG.SYS -- before COMMAND.COM's 127 character line limit has
    come in to play -- instead of in AUTOEXEC.BAT.

    Setting up a PATH in CONFIG.SYS only works, (I believe), in MS-DOS
    v6.xx or higher and uses the following syntax:

      SET PATH=drive:\directory[;drive:\directory][;...]

    Tip: All of the following examples will NOT work in CONFIG.SYS like
         they do in AUTOEXEC.BAT:

           PATH=...     PATH=%PATH%;...     SET PATH=%PATH%;...
           PATH ...     PATH %PATH%;...     SET PATH %PATH%;...

         In other words, if the line doesn't begin with "SET PATH=", DOS
         will return something like "Error in CONFIG.SYS line 1".

         The %PATH% idea also fails because the program that defines and
         understands such, COMMAND.COM, has not been loaded yet.

    PATH lengths of up to a whopping 4,096 characters have been tested
    here, with success, using this "CONFIG.SYS" "SET PATH=..." approach.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                [ ... text deleted for brevity ... ]

-!-
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)


─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 431                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  13:28:05
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Carlo Mosti                                  Mark:
  Subj: Daily execution
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
CM> I would like to know if someone knows of a way to resolve my problem
CM> by using only batchfile commands. I want to execute a program
CM> everyday but only once! How do I control that?

    Here's one that does it by storing the command you entered plus the
    current system date on one line at the end of the BATch file itself.
    When you launch it again it simply looks for an identical command-
    line/date.  (If one is found it tells you that command has already
    been run today.  If no match is found, it adds the command and date
    to the end of the file and continues).

    Note: Because this is a self-modifying BATch file, you may need to
          change all occurances of "C:\BAT" to the location of where you
          intend on keeping it on your hard drive.

@echo off
:ONCEADAY.BAT runs a specified program once-a-day only -----------------
:Notes: This BATch file is self modifying!  It keeps track of every date
:       and the command(s) issued on that date at end of this file.
:       Requires DOS's FIND (somewhere in current PATH is fine).
:       Use "CURRENT /C" (not the quotes) to clear all dates from file.
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 if (%1%2)==(dateis) goto GOTIT
 if (%1)==(/?) goto SYNTAX
 if (%1)==() goto SYNTAX
 for %%x in (:) do set colons=%%x%%x
 for %%x in (c C) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto CLEAR
 set program=%1 %2 %3 %4
 ver|date>temptemp.bat
 echo %0 %%1 %%2 %%3 %%4>current.bat
 temptemp
:GOTIT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 set date=%4
 find /c "%colons%%4%program%" C:\BAT\%0.BAT>temptemp.bat
 echo set current=%%2>--------.bat
 call temptemp.bat
 if (%current%)==(0) echo %colons%%date%%program%>>C:\BAT\%0.BAT
 if (%current%)==(0) goto DO_IT
 echo Command: %program%
 echo          has already been run today.
 goto CLEANUP
:DO_IT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo Issuing command: %program% ...
 echo.
 call %program%
 goto CLEANUP
:CLEAR -----------------------------------------------------------------
 type C:\BAT\%0.BAT|find /v "%colons%">C:\BAT\%0.BAT
:CLEANUP ---------------------------------------------------------------
 for %%x in (-------- temptemp current) do if exist %%x.bat del %%x.bat
 for %%x in (program colons current date) do set %%x=
 goto END
:SYNTAX ----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo.
 echo    Name: ONCEADAY.BAT
 echo.
 echo  Author: Vernon Frazee 03/03/94
 echo.
 echo Purpose: Run specified command only once a day.
 echo.
 echo  Syntax: ONCEADAY program_name/command [parm_1] [parm_2] [parm_3]
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /C  clears all entries
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /?  displays this help
 echo.
 echo Example: ONCEADAY DEFRAG C: /F /SN
 echo.
 echo   Notes: Requires DOS's FIND (must be available in current PATH)
 echo.
 echo          Requires at least approx 50 bytes free environment space
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY.BAT is self modifying!  (It keeps track of when
 echo                       and what was run at the end of the file).
 echo.
 goto END
:END (Data storage begins below) --------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 390                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  21:52:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Counting file lines
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 LD>> I want this batch to make a list of %1 <EG: *.bat or *.txt>

 LD>> then use the list to count the lines in each found

 LD>> then report to some file, the found file name(s) and the # of
lines
 LD>> EG: somefile.txt 27

 LD>>     othrfile.txt 13

 LD>>     yetnothr.txt 29



I used SORT and FIND from DOS, and Michael Mefford's CHANGE.COM in the
following batch file to group extension_requested files of the current
directory in a list and count their lines.

After running this file 12 times, you'll get a file creation error on
the 13th run.  Anybody know why?  Something with the FIND command
or FOR IN DO or CALL?  My el cheapo 486?
If I change the do find in the for-in-do to do call find, it bombs on
the 9th try.

REM countext.bat
@echo off
if "%1"== "" goto syntax
set fn=-%1
if exist $!&)list del $!&)list
for %%x in (*.%1) do find /c /v "<^>#~" %%x >>$!&)list
call change $!&)list 13,10,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45 "" > nul
call change $!&)list ":" "" > nul
call sort < $!&)list > %fn%list
del $!&)list
set fn=
goto end
:syntax
echo.
echo enter  countext ext  of filenames you want linecounts of
echo example - countext txt, or countext doc, or countext bat, etc.
echo filenames and linecounts will be in file -extlist
:end
::---------------RCR--------------
                           Part 1

-!- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 10
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 391                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  21:54:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Counting file lines
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here is another version named extcount.bat using PREFIX.COM
from DOSWORLD magazine.

@echo off
if not "%4"== "" goto wrapitup
if "%1"== "almost_done" goto shrink
if "%1"== "" goto syntax
set fn=-%1
if exist $!&)list.bat del $!&)list.bat
if exist %fn%list del %fn%list
for %%x in (*.%1) do call %0 almost_done %%x
call sort < %fn%list > po-trait
del %fn%list
ren po-trait %fn%list
for %%y in (fn name) do set %%y=
goto end
:wrapitup
echo %name% %4 >> %fn%list
if exist $!&)list.bat del $!&)list.bat
goto end
:shrink
set name=%2
echo. | find /c /v "<^>#~" %name% | find "----------" | ...
... prefix extcount plop >>$!&)list.bat
call $!&)list
goto end
:syntax
echo enter extcount and extension of files you want individual count of
:end
::---------------RCR--------------

In extcount.bat, assemble the two lines with ... together at that point

Here is the PREFIX.SCR to DEBUG < PREFIX.SCR to obtain prefix.com

N PREFIX.COM
A
PUSH CS
POP DS
MOV DX,0157
MOV [0155],DX
MOV AH,3F
MOV BX,0000
MOV CX,0001
MOV DX,[0155]
INC WORD PTR [0155]
INT 21
CMP AX,0000
JNZ 0125
MOV AX,4C00
INT 21
PUSH DX
POP SI
MOV AH,[SI]
CMP AH,0A
JZ 0130
JMP 0109
PUSH AX
MOV BX,0001
XOR CH,CH
MOV CL,[0080]
MOV DX,0081
MOV AH,40
INT 21
MOV AH,40
MOV BX,0001
MOV CX,[0155]
SUB CX,0157
MOV DX,0157
INT 21
JMP 0102

RCX
155
W
Q

Try, for example; DIR |prefix put me first >> zzz
                              Part 2

-!- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 10
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 392                                          Date: 04 Mar 96  21:55:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: COUNTING FILE LINES
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This will count the lines in one file.  Submitted to see how badly
Vernon Frazee will "in my face" me with his faster two-liner.  But
I do honor the king.

@echo off
if "%2"=="felines" goto felines
if "%1"=="" goto namepls
set fn=%1
find /c /v "<^>#~" %1 > (^^--^^).bat
call change (^^--^^).bat 13,10,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45,45 "felines
felines felines" > nul
echo.
(^^--^^) > nul
:felines
echo file %fn% has %4 lines
goto end
:namepls
echo proper syntax is felines filename
echo this finds # of lines in named file
:end
 set fn=
del (^^--^^).bat

-!- PCBoard (R) v15.22 (OS/2) 10
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 424                                          Date: 05 Mar 96  09:17:01
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Stephan Hoppe                                Mark:
  Subj: Get date?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SH> What I'd like to do is have a plain vanilla batch file that grabs
SH> the day of the month so that on the 3rd, for example, I could defrag
SH> my HD, on the 4th run scandisk, etc. etc.
SH> I figure it would have to be something that grabs the day of the
SH> month as an env variable then the calling batch files would check
SH> this to see if its the right day.
SH> How to grab the variable?
SH> Please no 4dos, ndos or whatever. . .just MS-DOS.

    Here's one way to get the current system Month, Day, and Year, into
    separate environment variables (evars) using DOS's CHOICE.COM.

      @echo off
      :---------------------------------------------------
      :    Name: MDY.BAT - For US DATE format (mm-dd-yyyy)
      : Purpose: Using current system date, put 2-digit
      :          month in evar MM, 2-digit day in evar DD,
      :          and 2-digit year in evar YY.
      :Requires: CHOICE.COM and 36 bytes in environment.
      :---------------------------------------------------
       if (%1)==(![) goto ParseIt
       for %%x in (mm dd yy mdy) do set %%x=
       >~tmp~.bat ver|date
       echo set mdy=%%4>current.bat
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp~.bat
       del current.bat
       >~tmp~.bat echo;;|choice/c:;%mdy%; "%0 !"
       ~tmp~.bat
      :ParseIt -------------------------------------------
       set mm=%2%3|set dd=%5%6
       shift|shift
       set yy=%8%9|echo MM=%mm%
       echo DD=%dd%
       echo YY=%yy%
       del ~tmp~.bat|set mdy=
      :End ----------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 428                                          Date: 05 Mar 96  03:38:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Richard Dale                                 Mark:
  Subj: Humongous project
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RD> M:\USERS\74801000>fwcopy 74801000 phone.001

VF> The enclosed examples should help you get started

RD> I thank you very kindly! I shall let you know on the results.

    You're more than welcome, and yes, please do.

RD> FWIW, "fwcopy" copies the files over to be used by the Ft. Worth
RD> office, hence "fw".  The command that is *really* supposed to be
RD> used is CLEAN 74801000 PHONE.001, but if I mess up and clean
RD> PHONE.001 again within 5 minutes or so, it can crash or slow down
RD> the system.  Sheesh!<tm>.

    The following might help solve that particular problem.  It only
    allows the exact same command to be run once per day.

@echo off
:ONCEADAY.BAT runs a specified program once-a-day only -----------------
:Notes: This BATch file is self modifying!  It keeps track of every date
:       and the command(s) issued on that date at end of this file.
:       Requires DOS's FIND (somewhere in current PATH is fine).
:       Use "CURRENT /C" (not the quotes) to clear all dates from file.
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 if (%1%2)==(dateis) goto GOTIT
 if (%1)==(/?) goto SYNTAX
 if (%1)==() goto SYNTAX
 for %%x in (:) do set colons=%%x%%x
 for %%x in (c C) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto CLEAR
 set program=%1 %2 %3 %4
 ver|date>temptemp.bat
 echo %0 %%1 %%2 %%3 %%4>current.bat
 temptemp
:GOTIT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 set date=%4
 find /c "%colons%%4%program%" C:\BAT\%0.BAT>temptemp.bat
 echo set current=%%2>--------.bat
 call temptemp.bat
 if (%current%)==(0) echo %colons%%date%%program%>>C:\BAT\%0.BAT
 if (%current%)==(0) goto DO_IT
 echo Command: %program%
 echo          has already been run today.
 goto CLEANUP
:DO_IT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo Issuing command: %program% ...
 echo.
 call %program%
 goto CLEANUP
:CLEAR -----------------------------------------------------------------
 type C:\BAT\%0.BAT|find /v "%colons%">C:\BAT\%0.BAT
:CLEANUP ---------------------------------------------------------------
 for %%x in (-------- temptemp current) do if exist %%x.bat del %%x.bat
 for %%x in (program colons current date) do set %%x=
 goto END
:SYNTAX ----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo.
 echo    Name: ONCEADAY.BAT
 echo.
 echo  Author: Vernon Frazee 03/03/94
 echo.
 echo Purpose: Run specified command only once a day.
 echo.
 echo  Syntax: ONCEADAY program_name/command [parm_1] [parm_2] [parm_3]
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /C  clears all entries
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY /?  displays this help
 echo.
 echo Example: ONCEADAY DEFRAG C: /F /SN
 echo.
 echo   Notes: Requires DOS's FIND (must be available in current PATH)
 echo.
 echo          Requires at least approx 50 bytes free environment space
 echo.
 echo          ONCEADAY.BAT is self modifying!  (It keeps track of when
 echo                       and what was run at the end of the file).
 echo.
 goto END
:END (Data storage begins below) --------------------------------- -vjf-

RD> Thanks again.

    No problem.  Let me know how you make out.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 06 Mar 96  18:32:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Kwiatkowski                            Mark:
  Subj: Caps in ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WE> you need a lot of if-statements to ask for all possiblities ...
WE>   set variable=example
WE>   set variable=Example
WE>   set variable=EXAmple
WE> It would be much easier if I could change the content of an
WE> environment variable to either small or capital letters.

LK> I use a rather complicated routine to do exactly that - map the file
LK> names to all caps - using GET.EXE and QEDIT. I hope there is some
LK> simpler way to accomplish mapping to all caps. Does anyone have a
LK> workable solution?

    Here's a fairly simple "COMMAND.COM only" example:

      @echo off
      :---------------------------------------------------
      :UP-CASE.BAT - UPPERcases user parameters
      :              (up to about 49 characters)
      : For example: up-case WiLe e cOyOtE
      :     returns: WILE E COYOTE
      :        Note: Results stored in evar UP-CASE
      :---------------------------------------------------
       if (%1)==() goto End
       path>~savpath.bat
       for %%x in (up-case path) do set %%x=
      :Loop ----------------------------------------------
       path %1
       if not (%up-case%)==() set up-case=%up-case% %path%
       if (%up-case%)==() set up-case=%path%
       shift
       if not (%1)==() goto Loop
       echo %up-case%
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~savpath.bat
      :End ----------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 402                                          Date: 08 Mar 96  23:14:04
  From: Dennis Mccunney                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Greg Paksi                                   Mark:
  Subj: Two OS's on one drive?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 ** From Greg Paksi to Brian Altenpohl on 29 Feb 96  16:53:54
 ** Re: Two OS's on one drive?

 BA> Also, you may want to take a look into QNX, it is a great O/S, and
 BA> comes with the QNX loader, which will allow you up to 4 different OSs
 BA> on a  single machine.  Perhaps newer version of QNX will allow more.
 BA> Or you could write a simple Boot-Manager program - it isn't very

 GP> What's QNX?  How is it different than DOS, UNIX, OS/2, WINDOWS NT,
 GP> etc.?

    QNX is an operating system from a company in Canada called QNX
 (formerly known as Quantum).  It began as a UNIX-like OS optimised to
 run on Intel CPUs (and would run reasonably on XTs and well on ATs).
 It has evolved into an OS aimed at the real-time market, with built-in
 network awareness.



-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: * BlueDog BBS * [phone] * NYC FileBone Hub (1:278/304)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448             Local                        Date: 11 Mar 96  18:30:57
  From: Bat Lang                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Steve Meech                                  Mark:
  Subj: Copying files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 -=> Quoting Steve Meech to All, [09 Mar 96  00:29:06] <=-

 SM> Anyway, back on topic, the problem is that I have to transfer 13Mb of
 SM> files, many of which don't change from one day to the next.

 SM> Is there a way of copying only those files which are _different_ on
 SM> the two machines, to save time (in the way PKZIP's "update" function
 SM> does).
 SM> I'd be interested in a batch-file or utility solution.
                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

There is a nifty util in the BFDS files called DIRCOMP:

DIRCO511.ZIP  117060 12-18-95  DIRCOMP.EXE (5.11):  Updates files in one
                               subdirectory based on files in another
                               subdirectory.  Similar in some ways to DOS's
                               REPLACE command

Here is a batch file I use with this to maintain a portable
parallel-port hard drive (Gator) as a mirror of another drive on my
system.

::UPD.BAT to compare two dirs, and kill dir2 files not in dir1 & copy
::        dir1 files to dir2 that are more recent, or not in dir2.
@echo off
CP /T:N,10             Do you want the Gator UpDated?
if %EL% 2 goto end
dirco k: l: /KILL /APPEND /-I
:end

Saves me MANY hours each month, and hasn't messed up yet.  Also
maintains a log of it's activities.  The second line uses Chad's Choice
Plus (CP102).  Could use CHOICE or leave it out.
Note:  The %EL% is a shortcut allowed by my inclusion of:

SET EL=ERRORLEVEL   ;in my AEBat file.

If your DOS includes REPLACE, you might get it to do your bidding?
I also renamed the DIRCOMP.EXE so it looks like the archive name.
Good Modeming!  /\oo/\

... NetMail: 1:382/1201 or E-mail: [e-mail]

-!- Blue Wave/Max v2.30
 ! Origin: The HUB * Austin TX * Centex PCUG * 512-346-1852 (1:382/1201)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 11 Mar 96  12:47:00
  From: Gottfried Hommon                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: STEPHAN HOPPE                                Mark:
  Subj: Sloppy batch file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-----------------------------------------  Vienna, the 11.Mar.1996 at 12.46
  Hi STEPHAN!

29-Feb-96 19:35, STEPHAN HOPPE wrote to ALL
          Subject: Sloppy batch file

 SH> Is there any way of making this a little less bulky?

>>>>>GETDAY.BAT
 SH> @echo off
 SH> REM the line below returns the day of the month as an errorlevel. . .
 SH> c:\utility\1tellme.exe day
 SH> if errorlevel 1 if not errorlevel 2 set Today=1
 SH> if errorlevel 2 if not errorlevel 3 set Today=2
 SH> .
 SH> if errorlevel 31 if not errorlevel 32 set Today=31
                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                      is not necessary

do this:

for %%f in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13) do if errorlevel %%f set Today=%%f
for %%f in (14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23) do if errorlevel %%f set Today=%%f
for %%f in (24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31) do if errorlevel %%f set Today=%%f

 with friendly greetings
 from Gottfried Hommon

-!- Terminate 1.50/Pro
 ! Origin: ---------------> NOVELL DOS 7.15 USER <--------------- (2:310/65.78)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 12 Mar 96  05:49:03
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Scott Farrell                                Mark:
  Subj: File_id.diz
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
MC> Check a zip file to see if it has a file_id.diz. if not then open
MC> the editor (ide.exe) which produces a file_id.diz in its own
MC> directory then this has to be inserted in the zip that was
MC> checked. If the file has a file_id.diz then continue to check the
MC> next zip.

SF> Have you got a solution to this?

    Stick the following simple BATch file in some directory in
    your PATH.  (I keep my BATch files in "C:\BAT" for example).

      @echo off
      :ZIPID.BAT
       pkunzip %1 file_id.diz
       if errorlevel 11 goto End
       edit file_id.diz
       pkzip %1 file_id.diz
       del file_id.diz
      :End

    Now change to the drive:\directory containing the ZIP files you
    want to work on and type the command:

      for %x in (*.zip) do call zipid %x

    That's it.

    Each ZIP file in your current directory will be checked for the
    presence of a FILE_ID.DIZ file.  If it exists, ZIPID.BAT file simply
    exits (and then the for-in-do command above re-launches it with a
    new filename.ZIP).  If a FILE_ID.DIZ didn't exist, DOS EDIT is
    launched so you can create one.  When you exit EDIT, PKZIP adds your
    new FILE_ID.DIZ to the filename.ZIP file just checked, your
    FILE_ID.DIZ is deleted, and ZIPID.BAT exits back to DOS.  And, when
    the for-in-do is done presenting all the filename.ZIPs to ZIPID.BAT,
    all your ZIP files should contain a FILE_ID.DIZ.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 13 Mar 96   9:49:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Paul Emmons                                  Mark:
  Subj: Scripting programs
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Paul Emmons to All (7 Mar 96) <=-

PE> [...]
PE> Could anyone describe the basic techniques or algorithms which
PE> these various systems use?

-+-+- quote from Richard Marks' UUencode/UUdecode package:

The basic scheme is to break groups of 3 eight bit characters (24 bits)
into 4 six bit characters and then add 32 (a space) to each six bit
character which maps it into the readily transmittable character.
Another way of phrasing this is to say that the encoded 6 bit
characters are mapped into the set:
        `!"#$%&'()*+,-./012356789:;<=>?@ABC...XYZ[\]^_
for transmission over communications lines.

As some transmission mechanisms compress or remove spaces, spaces are
changed into back-quote characters (a 96).  (A better scheme might be
to use a bias of 33 so the space is not created, but this is not done.)

Another newer less popular encoding method, called XX-encoding uses the
set:    +-01..89ABC...XYZabc...xyz

In my opinion, XX-encoding is superior to UU-encoding because it uses
more "normal" characters that are less likely to get corrupted.  In
fact several of the special characters in the UU set do not get thru an
EBCDIC to ASCII translation correctly.
-+-+- unquote

PE> 256^4 = 4.294968E+09, and 85^5 = 4.437053E+09.  Therefore, four
PE> binary bytes could be encoded into five ascii characters using any
PE> 85 of the ascii values between 32 and 127.  Although I haven't
PE> tried implementing this in assembler, I would guess that
PE> recovering the original binary file from such a script would fit
PE> the architecture and instruction set of the 86 processors easily,
PE> i.e. the necessary code could be given in a short enough debug
PE> script header.

For a range of 85 you would need 32 bit multiplications. No big problem
even for a 8086, but the DEBUG header will become a little larger.
Main problem is to define a set of 85 characters that is safe enough
for FIDO mails. I'm not sure which characters between 31 and 127 have
to be definitely excluded to avoid problems.

PE> Probably others have thought of this principle or a better one, so
PE> there is no point in re-inventing the wheel if it has been done. I
PE> would like to know how Chad's and Horst's encoding systems work,
PE> but the answer is not obvious from the scripts they produce.

I think everyone used the simple method of shifting 4*6 bits out of
24. The idea of using a range other than 2^n is a very interesting
approach indeed.

However a ratio of 5/3 (vs. 4/3) would make scripts only 6.25% smaller
(not counting the overhead), and in zipped mail packages it will
probably make no difference at all.
Is is worth introducing a new standard?

Horst.

... Q4FM 2.10 ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02 / ScanToss
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 429                                          Date: 12 Mar 96  22:41:00
  From: William Lipp                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Sloppy Batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 -=> Quoting Larry Nelson to William Lipp <=-

 LN> for %%q in (1 2 3) do if errorlevel %%q goto %%q

 LN> When I reversed the order of the options in For's set to
 LN> (3 2 1) the result was always 1

 LN> Any body got an idea why For needs the options in asending
 LN> order rather than desending?

The behavior of for-in-do with goto was a topic of discussion a few
months back.  My recollection is that the loop finishes all iterations
before executing any "goto" statement.  It then acts upon the
last goto.


___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

-!- Maximus 3.01
 ! Origin: this space available bbs (1:141/1111)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 424                                          Date: 13 Mar 96  20:48:00
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Dennis Mccunney                              Mark:
  Subj: Batch Problem
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DM> Are you telling 4DOS to load itself and its environment and aliases
DM> into UMBs?  There are an assorment of directives settable in
DM> 4DOS.INI to specify this:
DM>   UMBAlias                Load global aliases in UMB
DM>   UMBDirHistory           Load global directory history in UMB
DM>   UMBEnvironment          Load master environment in UMB
DM>   UMBHistory              Load history in UMB
DM>   UMBLoad                 Load resident part of 4DOS in UMB
DM> Do so, and your environment and other things 4DOS uses come out of
DM> conventional memory, as does all but 256 bytes of the resident
DM> portion of 4DOS itself)
DM> I strongly suspect the memory values you posted above would be
DM> rather different if you did this.

    As suggested I created a 4DOS.INI file containing the following:

      UMBAlias
      UMBDirHistory
      UMBEnvironment
      UMBHistory
      UMBLoad

    From "mem/c" before creating 4DOS.INI ------------------------------
    Free       747,616  (730K)    635,200  (620K)

    From "mem/c" after after creating 4DOS.INI -------------------------
    Free       747,616  (730K)    635,200  (620K)

    What am I doing wrong?

VF> Hmmm... With just a 360K disk, the tools I would probably grab would
VF> be everything I might need to format a hard drive: DEBUG, FDISK, and
VF> FORMAT (68,020 bytes); a few general tools like: CHKDSK, CHOICE,
VF> EDLIN, and FIND (33439 bytes); of course GWBASIC (80,592 bytes); and
VF> then my communications program {COMMO} (29,872 bytes) so I could
VF> logon to any one of a multitude of systems I have access to and
VF> download anything else I might need. <g>  On a MS-DOS v6.22 bootable
VF> diskette that should still leave over 10,000 bytes for whatever
VF> else.

DM> You don't compress the executables?

    Not usually, no.

DM> You can't do it to COMMAND.COM, but everything else will pack down
DM> nicely.

    DEBUG.EXE, FORMAT.COM, and CHKDSK.EXE already come compressed
    but yes, packing the others (PKLITE) reduced overall size by
    almost 11%.  Good idea, thanks!

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 440                                          Date: 13 Mar 96  20:48:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Phi Nguyen                                   Mark:
  Subj: write to start of text fi
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PN>  ---------PREPEND.BTM------------------
PN>  @*echo off
PN>  *if %# lt 2 goto Syntax_Error
PN>  *setdos /x-1
Vf> [ ... 46 lines deleted ... ]
PN>  ---------------------------------------

     Here's a simple example that works with DOS:

       @echo off
       :PREPEND.BAT
        if (%2)==() goto End
        if not exist %1 goto End
        set ~fn=%1
        copy %~fn% ~1>nul
       :Loop
        shift
        if (%1)==() goto Copy
        if not (%~tx%)==() set ~tx=%~tx% %1
        if (%~tx%)==() set ~tx=%1
        goto Loop
       :Copy
        echo %~tx%>~2
        copy ~2+~1 %~fn%>nul
        for %%x in (1 2) do del ~%%x
        for %%x in (fn tx) do set ~%%x=
       :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 15 Mar 96  17:58:01
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Sloppy Batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JK> for %%a in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9..... 31) do if errorlevel %%a .....
JK> (A classic .BAT improvement!)

WL> Since the errorlevel function is "errorlevel greater than or equal
WL> to N", this code would execute the "if" section 31 times for a
WL> "no error" return of zero.  That was probably not what you had in
WL> mind.

LN> For seems to tweak the order of things. Joe's example worked fine
LN> for me when I use it as in the following....
LN>   ::4tst.bat/DOS62.0
LN>   @echo off
LN>   cls
LN>        choice/cabc
LN>        for %%q in (1 2 3) do if errorlevel %%q goto %%q
LN>  :1
LN>     echo a
LN>     goto L8r
LN>  :2
LN>     echo b
LN>     goto L8r
LN>  :3
LN>     echo c
LN>  :L8r
LN> When I reversed the order of the options in For's set to (3 2 1) the
LN> result was always "a" Any body got an idea why For needs the options
LN> in asending order rather than desending?

    Because DOS will process everything in between the parenthesis
    before it makes it's final descision.

    For example, with (1 2 3) and you press B, DOS will do:

      if errorlevel 1 goto 1       (which proves true)
      if errorlevel 2 goto 2       (which proves true)
      if errorlevel 3 goto 3       (which proves not true)

    Now that it's done testing it does the last thing that proved true,
    "goto 2", which is correct.

    But if you flip it around, (3 2 1), and press B, DOS will do:

      if errorlevel 3 goto 3       (which is not true)
      if errorlevel 2 goto 2       (which is true)
      if errorlevel 1 goto 1       (which is true)

    Now that it's done testing it does the last thing that proved true,
    "goto 1", which is incorrect.

    Clear as mud yet? <G>

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 16 Mar 96  08:01:00
  From: David Roper                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Vernon Frazee                                Mark:
  Subj: BATCH PROBLEM
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> Hmmm... With just a 360K disk, the tools I would probably grab would
VF> be everything I might need to format a hard drive: DEBUG, FDISK, and
VF> FORMAT (68,020 bytes); a few general tools like: CHKDSK, CHOICE,
VF> EDLIN, and FIND (33439 bytes); of course GWBASIC (80,592 bytes); and
VF> then my communications program {COMMO} (29,872 bytes) so I could
VF> logon to any one of a multitude of systems I have access to and
VF> download anything else I might need. <g>  On a MS-DOS v6.22 bootable
VF> diskette that should still leave over 10,000 bytes for whatever
VF> else.
VF>    DEBUG.EXE, FORMAT.COM, and CHKDSK.EXE already come compressed
  >    but yes, packing the others (PKLITE) reduced overall size by
  >    almost 11%.  Good idea, thanks!

  Vernon, if you're trying to shrink 'em (and I have a similar disk to
  yours for traveling) I used the COMTOEXE and then LZEXE so that I
  didn't have to buy PKLITE.  Nothing wrong with buying PKLITE, but
  for those reading this message, there's the other way "out."

         _____oOOo_/00\_oOOo_____      [e-mail]
     1996          \__/            201 WINDING BROOK Dr, GARNER NC 27529

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Full Internet Access $15.00, [phone] or MMS.NET (1:151/102)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 17 Mar 96  15:27:05
  From: Stamatis Kantartzis                          Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jim Danvers                                  Mark:
  Subj: Prompt
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Hi Jim! What's up?

On 16-Mar-96, at 09:23:00, Jim Danvers wrote this to All about Prompt:

 JD> Hi guys... I would like to get a "spinning wheel" type
 JD> prompt for command lines. IE;, a spinning | symbol... can we do
 JD> this through ansi? That's all.... call me bored. <g>

Here's the latest version of SPIN.BAT:

@echo off
loadbtm on
setlocal

::-----Init spinning characters
set s0=`%=|`
set s1=/
set s2=-
set s3=\

::-----Init pointer to starting position
set s=0

:-----Save cursor
set cursor=%_CO:%_CI

::-----This is for olders version of 4DOS
if "%cursor" eq ":" set cursor=10:100

::-----Turn off cursor
setdos /s0:0

::-----Display title
echo %=nSPIN.BAT - Phi Nguyen 03.04.96%=n
echo Press any key to quit%=n

::-----Display prompt. It requires 2 trailing spaces (1 will be erased)
echos `Please wait:  `

do while %_kbhit eq 0
  ::-----Display spin
  ::     %=b uses to clear the previous spin char (backspace)
  ::     %[s%s] uses to show the current spin char (like *ptr in C)
  echos %=b%[s%s]

  ::-----Increase the pointer to next spin char. It will rotate from
  ::     0 to 3 to 0 to 3 ...
  set s=%@word[%s,1 2 3 0]

  ::-----Do whatever here
enddo

::-----Clear prompt
echos %=r               %=r

::-----Eat keypressed
inkey %%key

::-----Turn on cursor
setdos /s%cursor
endlocal


             |-=-=-=> Sincerely, Stamatis Kantartzis <=-=-=-|

.!. Inflation means the Buck does not stop here...

-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin:  (1:109/570.14)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 21 Mar 96  00:16:11
  From: Paul Emmons                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Dubois                                  Mark:
  Subj: zipping gazillions of tex
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-> Is there a simply way, via batch, to zip up a gazillion *.TXT files
-> into individual zip files and upon completion then delete all the
-> *.TXT files in that directory?
->
-> What I got:  A.TXT, B.TXT, C.TXT ...
-> What I want: A.ZIP, B.ZIP, C.ZIP ...
->
-> There is an easy way.  But I don't know it. :-)

I think the best way is to create a subdirectory to receive the
zip files, or at least put them in a subdirectory which has no
files *.txt.  If this subdirectory is \TEM, then you need:

for %%f in (*.txt) do pkzip -omex \tem\%%f %%f
ren \tem\*.txt *.zip

The pkzip -m flag will remove the files it zips up.  The files
created by pkzip in \tem are originally named *.txt, and you
have to rename them *.zip in a separate line.
-!- FidoPCB v1.4 [ff348/b]
 ! Origin: The Bauding House (1:2626/312) 610/692-7392

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 450                                          Date: 23 Mar 96  23:45:00
  From: Gary Smith                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Dubois                                  Mark:
  Subj: zipping gazillions of tex
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JD> Is there a simply way, via batch, to zip up a gazillion *.TXT files into
  > individual zip files and upon completion then delete all the *.TXT files in
  > that directory?

JD> What I got:  A.TXT, B.TXT, C.TXT ...
  > What I want: A.ZIP, B.ZIP, C.ZIP ...

JD> There is an easy way.  But I don't know it. :-)

The following is fairly straightforward.  It assumes that you're
running it in the directory where the TXT files reside, and does
no error checking.  If you like lots of activity on the screen,
remove the two occurrences of "> nul".

 @echo off
 md $$temp$$
 for %%f in (*.txt) do pkzip -m $$temp$$\%%f %%f > nul
 ren $$temp$$\*.txt *.zip
 move $$temp$$\*.zip . > nul
 rd $$temp$$
-!-
 * OLX 1.53 * Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around

-!- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
 ! Origin: The Computer Room-Pickerington, Oh  (1:226/110.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 26 Mar 96  17:25:02
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: J. Dubois request, others complaints
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> I tried a quick and dirty way to convert .txt files to .zip files
RR> per request of Mr. Dubois.  Per response of Mr. Primus, this method
RR> did not retain the .txt extension within the zipped file.  Per Mr.
RR> Frazee's response, extensionless files in the directory were not
RR> protected.  Per this response, the batch file below handles said
RR> complaints.  It's just not as cheap and dirty as original.  For Mr.
RR> Fraley, I truncated the .txt so that the pkzip command in the
RR> FOR-IN-DO would zip the file and give it the same name, which
RR> resulted in loss of extension inside the .zip file.
RR> I love doing this to get Frazee cranking - hehehehehe.

    Guess who?  <G>

RR> -!---upper extraction line-----
RR> @echo off
RR> if "%1"=="blasphemy" goto blasphemy
RR> ren *.  *.^-^
RR> ren *.txt  *.
RR> for %%x in (*.) do call %0 blasphemy %%x
RR> del *.txt
RR> ren *.^-^  *.
RR> set base=
RR> goto end
RR> :blasphemy
RR> set base=%2
RR> ren %2 %2.txt
RR> pkzip %2 %2.txt
RR> :end
RR> -!---lower extraction line-----

    Here, try this ZIP&DEL.BAT

      @echo off
      >~tmptmp~.bat mode %1
      >invalid.bat echo set ~fn~=%%3
      for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmptmp~.bat
      pkzip -exmo %~fn~% %1 | del invalid.bat

    To use it, first make sure you the above ZIP&DEL.BAT, DOS's MODE.COM
    and Phil Katz' PKZIP.EXE in your PATH (or current directory) and at
    least 18 bytes free environment space.

    Now go to some directory containing at least a few files with the
    same extension, for example ".TXT", and then type the command:

      for %x in (*.txt) do call zip&del %x

    That's it.  When this four-working-line "ZIP&DEL.BAT" gets done:

    a) all the *.TXT files will each be in their own individual
       "samename.ZIP" file

    b) with a date and time stamp matching the original file

    c) and the originals deleted.

    "Kewl" eh?  <G>

    Now give me something to "crank" on.  That may have taken the better
    part of maybe a minute to whip up using nothing more than "COPY CON"
    a-n-d it required no further editing.  <grin>

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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 ! Origin: Terminate = Pointmailer+Tosser+Reader+Packer+QWK! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 449                                          Date: 27 Mar 96  03:05:37
  From: Dennis Mccunney                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Otto Lang                                    Mark:
  Subj: PATH limit
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 ** From Otto Lang to Dennis McCunney on 24 Mar 96  16:30:00
 ** Re: PATH limit

 DM> JC> Well, some of us STILL use only DOS. Like me. I use a menu program,
 DM> JC> but I also do things from the DOS prompt and from a File Manager
 DM> JC> program. Therefore, I have a fairly long path. Witness:

 DM> JC> Path C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTIL\TV;C:\UTIL\PAK;C:\3DMENU;C:\WP60;
 DM> JC> Path %PATH%;C:\UTIL\PGP;C:\UTIL\UUCODE;C:\SOUND\UTIL\DAPLAY;

 DM>    I still use only DOS here, as well, but I'm at pains to keep my PATH
 DM> short.  The current one is:

 DM> PATH=e:\;c:\usr\batch;c:\usr\vdisk;c:\usr\bin;c:\4dos;c:\usr\lbin;c:\dos;
 DM> c:\bin;c:\dgn;..;.

 OL> There are two lesson I learned early: (1) Keep dir names short, e.g.
 OL> UT or UTL instead of UTIL and (2) if you SUBST U: C:\USR you can save
 OL> a lot of typing and see more of your path line in the autoexec.bat.
 OL> Just don't forget the LASTDRIVE=Z!

    The directory names and directory structure I use are based on those
 used by UNIX.  I learned UNIX before I really spent any time in DOS,
 and I find it simpler to make my DOS environment resemble the one I
 have under UNIX as much as possible.  (With the MKS Toolkit installed,
 that can be more than you would believe...)  I've never found SUBST
 neccessary, and I use LASTDRIVE=E:, since that IS my last drive.

    Seeing the long PATH isn't a big problem, since it isn't that long,
 and I'm more concerned about the number of directories in it than the
 length of the directory names.  Directories are in the PATH in the
 order of frequency of access. I keep the command processor and some
 frequently used utilities on the ramdisk, so that is first in the PATH.

    Saving typing is provided by other 4DOS features.  I set
 environment variables to the names of frequently used directories.
 For example, I have UB=c:\usr\bin in my environment definitions.  4DOS
 interprets variables on the command line as well as in batch files, so
 I can do "p %ub", instead of "pushd c:\usr\bin".  P is an alais for
 PUSHD, an internal command in 4DOS that pushes the current directory
 onto a stack and changes to the drive directory specified as the
 argument.  POPD (aliased to "." here) pops the saved drive/directory
 from the stack and returns me to where I was.


-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: * BlueDog BBS * [phone] * NYC FileBone Hub (1:278/304)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 27 Mar 96  16:30:48
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: IS THIS DIRECTORY EMPTY?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> I use dos 5 and the following works for me.  I use find to pick out
RR> the "2 files and 0 bytes" if a dir is empty.  If not, it doesn't
RR> pick out, and a zero length byte file doesn't get copied, which I
RR> check to see if it exists.  I heard 4dos copies 0 byte files.  Ta
RR> ta.

RR> -!--- snip line-----
RR> @echo off
RR> if "%1"=="/?" goto syntax
RR> dir %1 | find "2 file(s)          0 bytes" > ~~~4now
RR> copy ~~~4now ~~~after > nul
RR> if exist ~~~after echo directory %1 is empty
RR> if not exist ~~~after echo directory %1 contains at least one file
RR> if exist ~~~4now del ~~~4now > nul
RR> if exist ~~~after del ~~~after > nul
RR> goto end
RR> :syntax
RR> echo proper syntax is, for example, isempty c:\utils   or
RR> echo isempty c:\write\wp
RR> :end
RR> -!--- snip line-----

    You don't really need to use FIND and a temporary file to do the
    trick.  For example:

      @echo off
      :CHKDIR - Does it exist?  If so, any files?
       if (%1)==() echo Syntax: %0 [[d:]\]dirname[\dir[\dir\...]]
       if (%1)==() goto End
       if not exist %1\nul echo Directory "%1" does not exist.
       if not exist %1\nul goto End
       if not exist %1\*.* echo Directory "%1" is empty.
       if exist %1\*.* echo Directory "%1" has files.
      :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Get real, get better, get faster, get Terminate! (1:135/71.16)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 27 Mar 96  09:33:30
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Tony Johnston                                Mark:
  Subj: unzip files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
TJ> Is it possible to have abat or exe file automatically execute just
TJ> after is has been unzipped. If so how?

    With a ZIP file, fortunately no.  (Makes it to easy for kids to
    automatically launch something destructive).  Of course there is
    nothing stopping you from simply wrapping a BATch file around it:

      @echo off
      :START.BAT
       md c:\whatever
       pkunzip whatever.zip c:\whatever
       for %%x in (c: cd\whatever whatever cd\) do %%x
      :End

    Another alternative is to use ARJ instead of PKZIP.  For example,
    the following single ARJ command will unarchive FOOBAR.BAT from
    archive FOOBAR.ARJ and then immediately launch the FOOBAR.BAT:

    arj b foobar.arj foobar.bat -jqfoobar.bat
    --- - ---------- ----------    ----------
     |  |     |          |             |
     |  |     |          |             |
     |  |     |          |             `-- DOS command to execute after
     |  |     |          |                 the extraction has occurred
     |  |     |          |
     |  |     |          `-- Name of the file to extract
     |  |     |
     |  |     `-- Name of the ARJ archive to use
     |  |
     |  `-- Allow user to execute a DOS command
     |      on selected file(s) in the archive
     |
     `-- Launch ARJ.EXE

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Terminate SmartNote: Remembers & recalls everything! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 442                                          Date: 28 Mar 96  07:31:30
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Otto Lang                                    Mark:
  Subj: debug or share
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
OL> ... PPT insists on having SHARE.EXE loaded. I guess because of
OL> Windows' multitasking?  Anyway, as soon as I added
OL> INSTALL=C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE to my CONFIG.SYS the next boot hung on
OL> errors in the debug statement in CURRENT.[BAT]. ... Debug ... errors
OL> ... trying to load from ... <temptemp.scr.
OL> :CURRENT.BAT from Fidonet ... BATPOWER. ... Vernon Frazee 01/17/94

    I'm getting the same results here -- under DOS v6.22.  How about a
    newer version, GET-DT.BAT (Get Date and Time), that will not only
    work with SHARE loaded, (and/or should run fine under Windows95),
    but also sets Day in evar "DY", Month in evar "MM", Day date in evar
    "DD", Year in evar "YY", Hour in evar "HR", Minute in evar "MN", and
    Second in evar "SC"?

    :GET-DT.BAT - Type "GET-DT /?" (not the quotes) for help
    :Note: Do NOT put a "@echo off" at the beginning of this file!
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------
     @if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     @if (%1)==(!!) goto GetMDY
     @if (%1)==(!) prompt set dt=!! $d $t
     @if (%1)==(!) goto End
     @echo off
     for %%x in (dt dy mm dd yy hr mn sc) do set %%x=
     command /c %0 !>~tmp_01~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     %0 %dt%
    :GetMDY ------------------------------------------------------
     set dt=
     set DY=%2
     shift|shift
     echo;;|choice /c:;%1%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo set mm=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set dd=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2) do echo shift>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set yy=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     call ~tmp_01~.bat
    :GetHMS ------------------------------------------------------
     echo;;|choice /c:;%2%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo if (%%3)==(:) goto Insert0>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo goto End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :Insert0>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=0%%2>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%4%%5>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%7%%8>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     del ~tmp_02~.bat
    :************************************************************:
    : To display results, change the next line to "goto Display" :
    :************************************************************:
     goto End
    :Syntax ------------------------------------------------------
     @echo off
     cls
     echo     Name: GET-DT.BAT - Get current system Date and Time
     echo.
     echo   Author: Vernon Frazee 06/14/94 - (Last mod: 03/28/96)
     echo.
     echo  Purpose: Store the current system:
     echo.
     echo                Day in evar "DY" (example: DY=Tue)
     echo              Month in evar "MM" (example: MM=05 )
     echo           Day date in evar "DD" (example: DD=31 )
     echo               Year in evar "YY" (example: YY=94 )
     echo               Hour in evar "HR" (example: HR=06 )
     echo             Minute in evar "MN" (example: MN=22 )
     echo             Second in evar "SC" (example: SC=00 )
     echo.
     echo   Syntax: [call] [d:[\path]]GET-DT [/?]
     echo.
     echo    Where: /? displays this help screen
     echo.
     echo Requires: DOS's COMMAND.COM and CHOICE.COM (somewhere in
     echo           the PATH is fine), and 43 bytes of free space
     echo           in the environment.
     echo.
     echo     Note: "evar" is short for "environment variable".
     echo.
     goto End
    :Display -----------------------------------------------------
     echo DY=%dy% MM=%mm% DD=%dd% YY=%yy% HR=%hr% MN=%mn% SC=%sc%
    :End --------------------------------------------------- -vjf-

    (Note: I would normally test this under Windows95 first for you,
    but, at the moment I'm at the beach waiting for breakfast to arrive
    and tapping away on this DOSv6.22/WFWGv3.11 based Laptop. <g>)

    ./~ She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini.. ./~

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: The NEW Terminate will -=> FAX <=- almost anything! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 28 Mar 96  06:07:54
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Josef Schwartz                               Mark:
  Subj: how do I...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> The following ANSI escape sequence sets the [UpArrow] so it acts
VF> like a press of the [Enter] key: <-[0;72;"";13p
  > [snip]

JS> What would I have to do to switch the ";"  with the ":" ?

    I used to do that too, years ago, and still have customers
    occasionally requesting the same.  All it really takes is a couple
    of escape sequences, (much like the one above), but, instead of
    trying to explain how to do ANSI escape sequences, I've simply been
    giving them the enclosed SEMISWAP.BAT along with the following

    SEMISWAP.BAT Instructions:

    1) Place a copy of the enclosed SEMISWAP.BAT in a directory in your
       PATH. (For example, in "C:\BAT").

    2) Make sure your CONFIG.SYS file has something similar to the
       following line in it:   DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS

    3) Insert the following line near the beginning of your AUTOEXEC.BAT
       file:   CALL C:\BAT\SEMISWAP.BAT /ON

    4) Reboot and get to the DOS prompt.

    5) Type "SEMISWAP" (not the quotes) and the current status should be
       "SEMISWAP=On".  If it is, your ";" and ":" keys should now be
       swapped.  If not, start back at "1)", making sure sure each and
       every character is correct and that the "drive:\path\" on each
       line actually points to the respective file.  (In other words,
       does the ANSI.SYS file actually exist in directory C:\DOS?; etc.)

------------------------------> Cut Here <------------------------------
@echo off
:SEMISWAP.BAT - Swaps the ":" and ";" keys, or resets to normal.
 goto ParmCheck
:Syntax ----------------------------------------------------------------
 cls
 echo     Name: SEMISWAP.BAT (Vernon Frazee 03/11/84, Last Mod 03/28/96)
 echo.
 echo  Purpose: Swaps the semi-colon ";" and the colon ":" keys.
 echo.
 echo           "/On" = Swapped and "/Off" = Normal
 echo.
 echo           In other words, when On or swapped:
 echo.
 echo           a) simply pressing the [;] key will now produce the ":"
 echo              character (instead of having to hold down the [Shift]
 echo              key and pressing the [;] key to get it).
 echo.
 echo           b) and to get the ";" character, you will now have to
 echo              hold down the [Shift] key and press [;].
 echo.
 echo   Syntax: [call] [d:][\path]SEMISWAP [/On (or) /Off (or) /?]
 echo.
 echo           SEMISWAP                  - Display current status
 echo           SEMISWAP /On              - Swap ":" with ";"
 echo           SEMISWAP /Off             - Return ":" and ";" to normal
 echo           SEMISWAP /?               - Display this screen
 echo.
 echo Requires: DOS' ANSI.SYS (or equivalent) and up to 13 bytes of free
 echo           environment space.  (Evar SEMISWAP=On or SEMISWAP=Off).
 goto End
:ParmCheck -------------------------------------------------------------
 if (%1)==() goto Display
 if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
 if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
 for %%x in (on On ON oN) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto On
 for %%x in (off Off OFf OFF oFF ofF) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto Off
 goto Syntax
:Display status --------------------------------------------------------
 if (%SEMISWAP%)==() set SEMISWAP=Off
 echo SEMISWAP=%semiswap%
 goto End
:On (Swap the ";" and ":" keys) ----------------------------------------
 echo  [58;59p [59;58p [1A
 rem  `-------`-------`------- Three [Esc] characters (Alt-27's)
 set SEMISWAP=On
 goto Display
:Off (Unswap the ";" and ":" keys (back to normal)) --------------------
 echo  [58;58p [59;59p [1A
 rem  `-------`-------`------- Three [Esc] characters (Alt-27's)
 set SEMISWAP=Off
 goto Display
:End ------------------------------------------------------------- -vjf-
------------------------------> Cut Here <------------------------------

    6) To view SEMISWAP's brief instructions type:   SEMISWAP /?

    That's it.  Enjoy!

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: The NEW Terminate will -=> FAX <=- almost anything! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 431             Rec'd                        Date: 01 Apr 96  08:24:39
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bat Lang                                     Mark:
  Subj: Echoing redirection chara
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> Change to the directory containing your SCRipt files and create
VF> the following 1-line "X.BAT":
VF>   @debug<%1
VF> Now type the command:
VF>   for %x in (*.scr) do call x %x
VF> and all the SCRipt files in the current directory will be
VF> processed by DEBUG.

BL> Vernon, would appreciate a short {^; synopsis that would teach us
BL> all, the set of circumstances that lead to deciding: when it's
BL> better/best to use the FOR...IN...DO from the command line, rather
BL> than including it within a batch file.
BL> I'm sure we will all be grateful for this poop!  Thanks, and Good
BL> Modeming!  /\oo/\

    Hmmm... If it's something that will be used repetitively, I
    usually wrap a BATch file around it.  For instance, the above
    might be _quickly_ thrown together as:

      @echo off
      :DEBUG'EM.BAT
       if (%2)==(~!~) goto DoIt
       for %%x in (*.scr) do call %0 %%x ~!~
      :DoIt
       if (%1)==() goto End
       echo %1
       debug<%1>nul
      :End

    The short solution I gave above must have been because it appeared
    that the user posing the question needed to do the task but once.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Have you ever been TERMINATEd ? (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 425                                          Date: 01 Apr 96  16:51:00
  From: TYRIN PRICE                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: INGRID DEKKER                                Mark:
  Subj: CHOICE
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Hi Ingrid!

ID>Can someone tell me how to use the CHOICE command for more than two options

ID>list the options right behind the number (ie: 1  start anyprogram) without
ID>getting the [Y/N] returned from DOS? Or is it enought to just echo the opti

ID>and set errorlevels without CHOICE?

CHOICE [/C[:]choices] [/N] [/S] [/T[:]c,nn] [text]

/C[:]choices Specifies allowable keys. Default is YN
/N           Do not display choices and ? at end of prompt string.
/S           Treat choice keys as case sensitive.
/T[:]c,nn    Default choice to c after nn seconds
text         Prompt string to display

ERRORLEVEL is set to offset of key user presses in choices.

You could TYPE a text file to the screen or ECHO a menu to the screen
like this...

ECHO 1) Word Processor
ECHO 2) Database
ECHO 3) Spreadsheet
ECHO 4) Telecommunications

And then use CHOICE like this

CHOICE /C1234 /N What'll It Be?
IF ERRORLEVEL 4 TELIX
IF ERRORLEVEL 3 LOTUS
IF ERRORLEVEL 2 DBASE
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 WP

-=Ty=-

 * SLMR 2.1a * BREKFAST.COM halted: cereal port not found.

-!- GOMail v2.0 [94-0021]
 ! Origin: The Home of Aunt Gabby (1:123/17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 444                                          Date: 01 Apr 96  16:33:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Robert Morton                                Mark:
  Subj: Unique filenames
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I took a beautiful batch file by Vernon Frazee and butchered it to
get into envars the last digit of the year, one hex letter/number for
the month, two digits for the day, and the total seconds from the
current hour, minute and seconds plus offsetting it in an envar called
addxx.  I didn't go to the extent of saving the filename-base in an
envar from %1 for you.  Type set to see all.  I now know three tips
of Frazee's seven million.  Used them here.  Never catch that hummer.
Just run it to see the stuff in the environment.  You'll need
CHANGE.COM,
CHOICE, GWBASIC, and CHANGE.COM.
---------------- snip ------------------
    :MORTON.BAT - Type "MORTON /?" (not the quotes) for help
    :Note: Do NOT put a "@echo off" at the beginning of this file!
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------
     @if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     @if (%1)==(!!) goto GetMDY
     @if (%1)==(!) prompt set dt=!! $d $t
     @if (%1)==(!) goto plum
     @echo off
     for %%x in (dt dy mm dd yy hr mn sc) do set %%x=
     command /c %0 !>~tmp_01~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     %0 %dt%
    :GetMDY ------------------------------------------------------
     set dt=
     set DY=%2
     shift|shift
     echo;;|choice /c:;%1%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo set mm=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set dd=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2) do echo shift>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set yy=%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     call ~tmp_01~.bat
    :GetHMS ------------------------------------------------------
     echo;;|choice /c:;%2%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo if (%%3)==(:) goto Insert0>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo goto End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :Insert0>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set hr=0%%2>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set mn=%%4%%5>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set sc=%%7%%8>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo :End>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     del ~tmp_02~.bat
    :************************************************************:
    : To display results, change the next line to "goto Display" :
    :************************************************************:
     goto End
    :Syntax ------------------------------------------------------
     @echo off
     echo Requires: DOS's COMMAND.COM, CHOICE.COM & CHANGE.COM
     echo & GWBASIC (somewhere in the PATH is fine)
     echo.
     goto plum
    :Display -----------------------------------------------------
     echo MM=%mm%=month in hex SS=%ss%=total seconds in time
     echo (hour,min,sec) YY=%yy%=1 digit for year
    :End --------------------------------------------------- -vjf-
    echo ? (%hr%*3600)+(%mn%*60)+(%sc%):system|gwbasic > ~~temp~~.bat
    echo h$=hex$(%mm%):? h$:system|gwbasic >> ~~temp~~.bat
    call change.com ~~temp~~.bat 13,10 32
    for %%x in (dy hr mn sc) do set %%x=
    call change.com ~~temp~~.bat 79,107,255 "~~^~~"
    echo set ss=%%3>~~^~~.bat
    echo set mm=%%8>>~~^~~.bat
    call ~~temp~~
    del ~~temp~~.bat
    del ~~^~~.bat
    set ymds=%YY%%MM%%DD%%SS%
    echo;;|choice /c:;%ymds%; "~~~~~ ">~~~~.bat
    call change ~~~~.bat 91,59,44 ""
    echo set addxx=%%1%%2%%3%%4%%5%%6%%7%%8.%%9>~~~~~.bat
    call ~~~~.bat
    for %%y in (~~~~~ ~~~~) do del %%y.bat
    :plum
---------------- snip ------------------
You'll have to null out the envars later yourself.
L8tr.
 ! Origin: The Bargain Trader BBS *Tampa,FL* [phone] (1:377/68)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 28 Mar 96  21:25:29
  From: Tony Baechler                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Dubois                                  Mark:
  Subj: zipping gazillions of text files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
|Quoting Jeff to All on 18 Mar 96  23:55:18.|

 JD> Is there a simply way, via batch, to zip up a gazillion *.TXT files
 JD> into individual zip files and upon completion then delete all the
 JD> *.TXT files in that directory?

I recently discovered a util by Horst in HORST_2.ZIP called LISTMOD.
COM which sounds like it might work.  You will have to play around
with this a little, but I think something like this might work.
@ECHO OFF
DIR /B|LISTMOD /S. PKZIP $01 $01.$02 >OUT.BAT
CALL OUT.BAT

I am sure the following is not quite right, so experimentation is in
order here.  HORST_2 was sent into BFDS.
Mail: 1:202/1333 or [e-mail], ftp://ftp.crl.com/users/ba/baechler

... Is that your Tagline or did your mail reader throw up?
-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: Total Control BBS (ltd. hours) (1:202/1333)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 03 Apr 96  09:12:23
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bob Morton                                   Mark:
  Subj: JULIAN DATE 2 ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BM> Does anyone have a batch segment that will read today's date and
BM> convert it to Julian format?
BM> Actually, I need to build up a filename that is guaranteed to be
BM> unique every time it is created.  I need to use two characters out
BM> of the 8.3 format for another purpose, so I have 8.1 left for use.
BM> I was thinking of YJJJHHMM.SSXX   where XX are the two characters I
BM> need to use, but as you can see, that's still one character too
BM> long.  How about converting HHMMSS into relative seconds--a number
BM> from 1 to 86400?   Hmmmmm..that would do it: changes 6 characters
BM> (HHMMSS) into 5 digits--YJJJSSSS.SXX
BM> Guess I'd better not do this arithmetic in batch unless one of the
BM> frequently mentioned utilities will do it.

    How about doing it like this:

    The 1st digit of the filename.  Like you said, use 1 digit for the
    year -- the last digit.  For example, this is 1996 so it would be a
    "6". (Of course this means that a decade from now a filename could
    get overwritten <g>.  I'll come back to this in a sec.).

    The 2nd digit of the filename.  Use 1 digit for the month -- "1"
    thru "9" for Jan thru Sep, and then an "A", "B", and "C", for Oct,
    Nov, and Dec respectively.

    The 3rd digit of the filename.  Use 1 digit for the day -- "1" thru
    "9" for the 1st thru the 9th, and then an "A" for the 10th, "B" for
    the 11th, "C" for the 12th etc. on up thru a "U" for the 31st day of
    the month.

    So far then, out of your "8.1" or "9 total digit" specification, we
    have only used up three digits that cover the Year, Month, and Day.
    That means we still have 6 digits for the hours, minutes, and
    seconds.  And, since the hours minutes and seconds are always no
    more than two digits each, we can now simply use them without having
    to convert a thing.

    For example, right now it is   |  And for an example shows what
    04/03/96 09:39:09 which means  |  happens when the month and day
    the filename would be:         |  get up into the alphabetical
                                   |  chars., on 12/31/96 at 23:59:45
                                   |  the filename would be:
                                   |
      64309390.9                   |    6CU23594.5
      |||||||| |                   |    |||||||| |
      |||||||` `- Seconds          |    |||||||` `- Seconds
      |||||``---- Minutes          |    |||||``---- Minutes
      |||``------ Hours            |    |||``------ Hours
      ||`-------- Day              |    ||`-------- Day
      |`--------- Month            |    |`--------- Month
      `---------- Year             |    `---------- Year

    (BTW, since "A", "B", "C" etc. come after "1", "2", "3" etc. when
    sorted alphabetically, a sorted DIRectory listing will have the
    filenames in sorted by date/time order).

    Now back to the 10 year thing.  In exactly 10 years from say
    "12/31/96 at 23:59:45" it would be
    "12/31/06 at 23:59:45" which, as you can see means that using
    this approach will result with two identical filenames.  This
    probably won't be a problem however since most won't keep data
    files for a decade.  But, if so, one could simply create another
    subdirectory to keep them in.  Say for instance: C:\1990'S,
    C:\2000'S, C:\2010'S etc. or C:\1996, C:\1997, . . . whatever).

    If this approach sounds workable, here's a BATch file that uses
    QBASIC to create the 8.1 portion of your filename and then sticks it
    in an environment variable for you -- (so you can then tack on
    whatever last two digits you want with your BATch file).

    @echo off
    :-----------------------------------------------------------------
    :G9DFN.BAT - Generates a unique 9-Digit left justified 8.1 format
    :            FileName based on current system date & time.
    :  Requires: QBASIC (in PATH) and 16 bytes free environment space.
    :-----------------------------------------------------------------
     set G9DFN=
     echo DIM wn(30):FOR x=1 TO 30:READ wn(x):NEXT x>~tmp~.bas
     echo DATA 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,65,66,67,68,69,70>>~tmp~.bas
     echo DATA 71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85>>~tmp~.bas
     echo yy=VAL(MID$(DATE$,10,1)):mm=VAL(MID$(DATE$,1,2))>>~tmp~.bas
     echo dd=VAL(MID$(DATE$,4,2)):hr$=MID$(TIME$,1,2)>>~tmp~.bas
     echo mn$=MID$(TIME$,4,2):sc1$=MID$(TIME$,7,1)>>~tmp~.bas
     echo sc2$=MID$(TIME$,8,1)>>~tmp~.bas
     echo OPEN "~tmp~.bat" FOR OUTPUT AS #1>>~tmp~.bas
     echo PRINT #1,"set G9DFN=";CHR$(wn(yy));CHR$(wn(mm));>>~tmp~.bas
     echo PRINT #1,CHR$(wn(dd));hr$;mn$;sc1$;".";sc2$>>~tmp~.bas
     echo CLOSE:SYSTEM>>~tmp~.bas
     qbasic /run ~tmp~.bas
     del ~tmp~.bas
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp~.bat
     echo G9DFN=%G9DFN%
    :End ------------------------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Terminate is now specially built for Internet! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 04 Apr 96  11:26:51
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jeff Cole                                    Mark:
  Subj: Need help with a BAT program
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JC> I regularly decode UUENCODED graphics files from an fidoecho. After
JC> saving the UUCODE posts, I drop to DOS decode the file, and then run
JC> my graphics program to see what it looks like. My question is, how
JC> can I call my graphics program and then return to the directory I
JC> called it from? My guess is something like this:
JC>   cd < curdir
JC>   cd c:\graphics\gds
JC>   gds.exe
JC>   cd %curdir%
JC> Would that work?

    Unfortunately no, but, it really isn't much more complicated than
    that.  Here, try it like this:

      @echo off
      :GDS.BAT - Loads GDS and returns to current dir
      :Save current drive:\dir -----------------------
       echo @prompt cd $p$_$n:>%temp%\~tmp~.bat
       %comspec% /c %temp%\~tmp~.bat>%temp%\return.bat
       del %temp%\~tmp~.bat
      :Load GDS --------------------------------------
       for %%x in (c: cd\graphics\gds) do %%x
       gds.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %67 %7 %8 %9
      :Return to saved drive:\dir --------------------
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x %temp%\return.bat
      :End -------------------------------------------

    Note: The five lines beginning with ":" can be removed if you like.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Terminate is now specially built for Internet! (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 422                                          Date: 04 Apr 96  22:37:05
  From: James Hill                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: MIKE DUTTERA                                 Mark:
  Subj: Get date?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
In a msg on <Mar 05 09:45>, MIKE DUTTERA of 1:270/616 writes:

SH>>What I'd like to do is have a plain vanilla batch file that
SH>>grabs the day of the month so that on the 3rd, for example, I
SH>>could defrag my HD, on the 4th run scandisk, etc. etc.

SH>>I figure it would have to be something that grabs the day of
SH>>the month as an env variable then the calling batch files
SH>>would check this to see if its the right day.

 MD> Piece 'o cake. Just use MS-DOS's DATE and FIND functions in a
 MD> batch using the general form:

 MD> DATE|FIND "-03-"
 MD> IF ERRORLEVEL 0 IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO BLAHBLAH

or you could have done;

echo.|date|find "-03-"|if not errorlevel 1 defrag c: /f /h /sn
echo.|date|find "-04-"|if not errorlevel 1 scandisk c: /autofix

enjoy.

-!- msgedsq 2.1
 ! Origin: Selective On-Line (tm) - Santa Fe, NM - [phone] - (1:15/11)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 424                                          Date: 25 Mar 96  19:04:40
  From: Michael Marquart                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Paul Laufer                                  Mark:
  Subj: Strip .EXT from command line
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 ~~ Paul Laufer said to All ~~
 ~~ Regarding Strip .EXT from command line ~~
 ~~ on 17 Mar 96  22:27:58 ~~

 Hi Paul!

 PL> TESTBAT.BAT C:\PATH\FILE.EXT

 PL> ...I would like this batch file to know that this is an (EXT) file
 PL> and "GOTO EXT".  Then I could process the file as a .EXT file.
 PL> If it's a .ZIP file it would "GOTO ZIP" in the batch process and
 PL> I could process it as a .ZIP file.

 Try this: tested on MSDOS V6.22 and uses only command.com.

 :: Call_me_what_you_will.bat ===========================================
 @echo off
 set exten=%1
 :nextchar
 set prev=%exten%
 for %%f in (/%exten%) do set exten=%%f
 if ".%exten%"=="%prev%" goto extfound
 if not "%exten%"=="%prev%" goto nextchar
 echo There was no extension given on the command line for the filename!
 goto end

 :extfound
 echo Extension is %prev%
 for %%f in (/%prev%) do set ext=%%f
 echo going to label %ext%
 goto %ext%

 :bat
 echo :bat
 goto end

 :com
 echo :com
 goto end

 :exe
 echo :exe
 goto end

 :txt
 echo :txt
 goto end

 :end
 for %%f in (ext prev exten) do set %%f=
 ::======================================================================

 The method was ripped off err... borrowed from one of the good denizens of
 this echo!

 Regards
               Mic


... Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...
-!-
 ! Origin: Melbourne PC User Group  [phone] (3:632/309)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 07 Apr 96  06:43:35
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Osgar Schaedtler                             Mark:
  Subj: FIND, DELETE and FC
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
OS> I've made a file, named FILE1.TXT, made with the command:
OS>   DIR /B /A-D >FILE1.TXT
OS> Now I want to make a program that will do the following thing:
OS> The files in that directory have to be compared with the file
OS> FILE1.TXT. If there are some different files between the files in
OS> the directory and the files in FILE1.TXT, then I want to delete
OS> these files out of the directory.  Has somebody an idea?  I've
OS> tried something with the commands FIND and FC, but that didn't
OS> work. So, help me please!

    There is an easier way.  All it takes is one "for in do" command.

    Let's say you have two directories.  One named MASTER containing the
    files you want to compare to, and another named FOOBAR that contains
    a few files that are named the same as well as some extra junk files
    that you want to get rid of.  For example:

    =================================+==================================
    Directory of C:\MASTER           | Directory of C:\FOOBAR
                                     |
    1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
                                     | 4    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
                                     | 5    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    =================================+==================================

    (IOW, we want to get rid of "4.TXT" and "5.TXT" in C:\FOOBAR).

    All it takes to do this is one DEL command.

    First change to the directory that contains the files you want to
    get rid of -- which in our example here is C:\FOOBAR.  Now type the
    following command at the DOS prompt:

-->   for %x in (*.*) do if not exist c:\master\%x del %x

    And that's it, you'll now have:

    =================================+==================================
    Directory of C:\MASTER           | Directory of C:\FOOBAR
                                     |
    1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 1    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 2    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a| 3    TXT       0 04-07-96   6:45a
    =================================+==================================

    Pretty "Kewl!" eh?  <g>

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 3.00
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 09 Apr 96  22:54:00
  From: Benjamin L Mcgee                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: CHEESY WINDOWS ENVIRON
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here's a little somethin' I came up with so I can safely run
Binkley Term under Windows (so I can play Comet Busters while I
download QWK packets).  It just prevents me from running Bink
twice which causes all sorts of problems, and it compensates for
the lack of a true environment variable under Windows.  An old
trick I'm sure but I thought it might be helpful.

@echo off
cls
if exist c:\binkley\~windows.var goto error

:: set a HARD environment variable
   rem > c:\binkley\~windows.var

:dumb
:: truncate log file
   rem > c:\binkley\binkley.log

:: load vfos
   c:\binkley\vfoss\vfos_ibm
   c:
   cd \binkley
   bt.exe

:: unload vfos
   c:\binkley\vfoss\vfos_del
   del c:\binkley\~windows.var
   goto quit

:error
   echo.
   echo      Binkley Term is already running!
   echo Running Bink twice under Windows is NOT good!
   choice /cyn Do you wish to run Bink again anyway [Y/N]?
   if errorlevel 2 goto quit
   if errorlevel 1 goto dumb

:quit
Benjamin L McGee on 1:15/7

*Drop that pickle.

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Purgatoire BBS, 719-846-0140, Trinidad, CO, V.34 (1:15/7)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 416                                          Date: 11 Apr 96  02:47:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: Yes
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: AVGFILES.BAT
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Hello all,

    I'd sure appreciate if some of you running on MS-DOS 6.nn would run
    the following and report back the resultant "average number of files
    per directory" on your systems.

    @echo off
    :AVGFILES.BAT ------------------------------------------------------
     goto Begin
    :Syntax ------------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo     Name: AVGFILES.BAT v1.00
     echo   Author: Vernon Frazee 04/09/96
     echo  Purpose: Calculate the average number of files
     echo           per directory for the drive specified.
     echo   Syntax: AVGFILES d:
     echo    Where: "d:" is the drive to check
     echo Requires: DOS' CHKDSK, FIND and QBASIC
     echo           (anywhere in PATH is fine).
     echo    Notes: Specified drive must contain at least one
     echo           directory and one file in the root directory.
     echo           Hidden files are NOT included.
     echo           Has only been tested on MS-DOS v6.nn
     echo.
     goto End
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------------
     if (%1)==() goto Syntax
     if not exist %1\nul goto DriveErr
     if not exist %1\*.* goto FileErr
     dir %1|find "DIR"|find "        ">~tmp_01~.dat
     copy ~tmp_01~.dat+,,>nul
     if not exist ~tmp_01~.dat goto DirErr
    :Gather data on specified drive ------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo Counting files and directories on drive "%1" ...
     echo.
     chkdsk %1|find /v "a"|find "in"|find /v "dd">~tmp_01~.dat
    :Display CHKDEK data -----------------------------------------------
     echo CHKDSK data for drive "%1"
     echo.
     type ~tmp_01~.dat
     echo.
    :Create QBASIC program to do the calculations ----------------------
     echo OPEN "~tmp_01~.dat" FOR INPUT AS #1>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo OPEN "~tmp_02~.dat" FOR OUTPUT AS #2>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo DO WHILE NOT EOF(1)>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   LINE INPUT #1, Rec$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   Rec$ = MID$(Rec$, 24, 18)>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo     FOR Count = 1 TO 18>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       IF MID$(Rec$, Count, 1) = "," THEN>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo         Stn$ = "">>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       END IF>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       IF NOT MID$(Rec$, Count, 1) = "," THEN>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo         Stn$ = MID$(Rec$, Count, 1)>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       END IF>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       IF UCASE$(Stn$) = LCASE$(Stn$) THEN>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo         x$ = x$ + Stn$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo       END IF>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo     NEXT Count>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   PRINT #2, x$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo   x$ = "">>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo LOOP>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo CLOSE>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo OPEN "~tmp_02~.dat" FOR INPUT AS #1>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo LINE INPUT #1, d$: LINE INPUT #1, f$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo a = CSNG(VAL(f$) / VAL(d$))>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo a$ = LTRIM$(RTRIM$(STR$(a)))>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo PRINT "Average number of files";>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo PRINT " per directory: "; a$>>~tmptmp~.bas
     echo CLOSE : SYSTEM>>~tmptmp~.bas
    :Run QBASIC program ------------------------------------------------
     qbasic /run ~tmptmp~.bas
     echo.
     goto Cleanup
    :DriveErr ----------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo    Error: Drive "%1" is not a valid drive
     goto Syntax
    :FileErr -----------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo    Error: Drive "%1" must contain at least
     echo           one file in the root directory
     goto Syntax
    :DirErr ------------------------------------------------------------
     echo.
     echo    Error: Drive "%1" must contain at least
     echo           one subdirectory
     goto Syntax
    :Cleanup -----------------------------------------------------------
     for %%x in (1 2) do del ~tmp_0%%x~.dat
     del ~tmptmp~.bas
    :End --------------------------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 418                                          Date: 09 Apr 96  08:23:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Scott Sellars                                Mark:
  Subj: Batch File Help...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Scott Sellars to Clay Cherneff (5 Apr 96) <=-

SS> I want to generate errorlevels so i can test out my batch files.

some errorlevel test tools:
-+-+-----
n EL!.COM
e100 BE 81 0 AC "< t"FB "N<0r"1B "+"C0 "*"FF BA A 0 8A 1C "F"80 EB "0"
e11A ":"DA "s"6 F7 E2 1 D8 "s"ED B4 "L"CD "!"BA "3"1 B4 9 CD "!*"C0 EB
e132 F1 "EL! n"D A "sets errorlevel to n=0..255"D A "$"
rCX
58
w
q
-+-+-----
Cut out and save (any filename), then run:  DEBUG < filename

-+-+-.... and to display the errorlevel:
@echo off
:: return errorlevel EL & echo
set !=
set EL=
for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set EL=%%h
if not errorlevel 200 set !=6 7 8 9
for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%t0 set EL=%EL%%%t
if not errorlevel 250 set !=6 7 8 9
for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
echo Errorlevel %EL%
set !=
-+-+-

Horst.

... Q4FM 2.10 ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02 / ScanToss
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 14 Apr 96  20:48:00
  From: Benjamin L Mcgee                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jay Fuller                                   Mark:
  Subj: QUESTION CONCERNING "FIND
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 On 04-09-96 JAY FULLER wrote to ALL...

 JF> Greetings everyone,

Hello!

 JF> I'm attempting to write a batch file that will do the
 JF> following.....
 JF> if find log.txt "SUCCESS" goto success
 JF> if find log.txt "ILLEGAL" goto illegal

Do you program in 'C' or 'C++'?  DOS's IF just ain't that good.

 added /i to ignore case
 added > nul to hide output of find
 find returns errorlevel 2 if an error occured while trying
 to read from the file, errorlevel 1 if no error occured but the
 search string wasn't found, and errorlevel 0 if no error occured
 and the search string was found

find /i "SUCCESS" LOG.TXT > nul
     if errorlevel 2 goto error
     if not errorlevel 1 goto success
find /i "ILLEGAL" LOG.TXT > nul
     if errorlevel 2 goto error
     if not errorlevel 1 goto illegal

Benjamin L McGee on 1:15/7

*Don't read everything you believe.

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Purgatoire BBS, 719-846-0140, Trinidad, CO, V.34 (1:15/7)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 439                                          Date: 16 Apr 96  21:16:19
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Kenny Eschrich                               Mark:
  Subj: old tandy-autoexec
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
KE> I've got a real old Tandy 1000.  In order to use the disk drive, i
KE> have to type F3 before it says Starting IB DOS.  Is there any way
KE> i can do this automatically in like my autoexec or config or
KE> whatever?

    Press the [F3] function key?  I don't believe I've ever heard of
    that one.  Maybe it will only boot from ROM (Read-Only Memory)?

    Anyway, in answer to your question, probably not.  When you see:

      Starting MS-DOS ...

    nothing in CONFIG.SYS has even been processed yet.  The processing
    steps involved in a 'normal' MS-DOS startup is as follows:

    :Begin

    1) ROM program loads the bootstrap program from disk

    2) Bootstrap loads hidden system files and passes control to them

    3) ROM programs and the DOS BIOS combine to produce the I/O code

    4) DOS system generation begins

    5) Does CONFIG.SYS exist?

       No  - use default DOS values and goto "6)"

       Yes - modify DOS default parameters and install user-specified
             device drivers

    6) Is the command processor COMMAND.COM?

       No -  Invoke startup portion of the command processsor and
             goto "End"

       Yes - Invoke startup portion of COMMAND.COM

    7) Is AUTOEXEC.BAT present?

       No  - Issue DOS Date and Time commands and goto "End"

       Yes - Perform the commands in AUTOEXEC.BAT

    8) Terminate the startup portion of COMMAND.COM

    :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 13 Apr 96  17:57:22
  From: Geoff Cutter                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bob Morton                                   Mark:
  Subj: Unique file name - was JULIAN DATE 2 ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
On 07 Apr 96  10:12:00, Bob Morton wrote to Geoff Cutter

 BM> Unfortunately, I need granularity finer than "minute."  It is possible
 BM> two files will be created within the same minute, which would result
 BM> in identical filenames.
Perhaps reserve a character for incrementing:

  set jj=0
  :again
  REM  increment here
  if exist xxxxxxxx.xx%jj% goto again
  REM unique name found

Several programs can increment - any of these:

   BATCHMAN LZH     46761 10/03/94   23:13
   FDATE91C ZIP     76262 23/10/95    1:56
   GET27    ZIP    117869 31/05/95   19:41
   INCVAR   LZH      7598 27/11/93   19:08
   PSIS-500 LZH     22972 15/05/95    5:00

or you could modify Vernon's batch program:

Date: 07 Apr 94  03:04:11
From: Vernon Frazee
Subj: Auto Backups

    The following COUNT.BAT will keep track of how many times it has
    been run.  Change ALL of the "c:\bat" 's to the name of your
    BATch file directory on your system.  (Must be in your PATH too).

@echo off
:COUNT.BAT - Increments the COUNT each time run - (Self modifying!) ----
 if not (%1)==(/?) goto BEGIN
 echo Syntax: COUNT [/0]                (Optional "/0" means initialize)
 goto END
:BEGIN -----------------------------------------------------------------
 set count=1
 if not (%1)==(/0) goto COUNT
:Initialize ------------------------------------------------------------
 find /v ":%count%"<c:\bat\count.bat>c:\bat\count.bat
 goto END
:COUNT -----------------------------------------------------------------
 echo :%count%>>c:\bat\count.bat
 find /c ":%count%" c:\bat\count.bat>countemp.bat
 echo set count=%%2>--------.bat
 for %%x in (call del) do %%x countemp.bat
 del --------.bat
 set count=%count%
:END (Note: COUNT.BAT data storage below) ------------------------ -vjf-

    The following example, W.BAT, uses the above COUNT.BAT to keep track
    of how many times it has been run.  Change whatever you like to suit
    your specific requirements:

@echo off
:W.BAT - Loads WORD each time run and also does a "modified
:        files only" backup to drive B: every 30th time run.
:Notes - Requires COUNT.BAT and DOS's XCOPY both be available
:        somewhere in current PATH.
:Begin --------------------------------------------------------
 echo Loading: WORD ...
 c:
 cd\word
 word
 call count
 echo.
 echo Word has been run %count% times since last backup to B:
 if not (%count%)==(30) goto DONE
:Backup -------------------------------------------------------
 echo.
 echo Please insert your "Word Backup Diskette" in drive
 echo B: and press any key to begin copying file(s). . .
 echo.
 pause>nul
 xcopy c:\word b:\ /m /s /e
 call count /0
:DONE ---------------------------------------------------------
 cd\
 echo.
:End ---------------------------------------------------- -vjf-


regds   Geoff


-!- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
 ! Origin: TARDIS BBS [phone] (3:633/260)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 23 Apr 96  11:26:07
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: DECIMAL TO HEX
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> Here is a decimal to hex converter, but it's 400 some bytes.
RR> -+-+--------------------------------------------------------
RR> n BREAKOUT.LZH
RR> e100 FC "+"ED BE 82 1 B9 80 FD B4 "?U[VZ"CD "!r`PY"F7 D8 99 ...

    How about a simple BATch-file/QBASIC solution:

    @echo off
    :HEX.BAT ----------------------------------------------
     if (%1)==() goto Syntax
     if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
    :Begin ------------------------------------------------
     echo A$=HEX$(%1):? A$:system>~tmptmp~.bas
     qbasic /run ~tmptmp~.bas
     del ~tmptmp~.bas
     goto End
    :Syntax -----------------------------------------------
     echo Syntax: HEX nnn
     echo  Where:     nnn is a Decimal number that you want
     echo                 converted to a Hexadecimal number
     echo   Note:     nnn can be up to nine 9's worth.
    :End -------------------------------------------- -vjf-

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 23 Apr 96  11:26:06
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Malcolm Campbell                             Mark:
  Subj: JULIAN DATE 2 ENV
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
AG> In a message originally to Malcolm Campbell, Vernon Frazee said:
AG> :ZIPLOG.BAT - Change to the directory containing the .LOG file(s)
AG> to ZIP and type "ZIPLOG" (no quotes).

MC> I seem to have missed this   ;-(     Can you please repost?

    Here you go:

    :ZIPLOG.BAT - Change to the directory containing the .LOG
    :             file(s) to ZIP and type "ZIPLOG" (no quotes).
    :Note: Do NOT put a "@echo off" at the beginning of this file!
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------------
     @if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     @if (%1)==(!!) goto GetMDY
     @if (%1)==(!) prompt set date=!! $d
     @if (%1)==(!) goto End
     @echo off
     for %%x in (date mm dd yy) do set %%x=
     command /c %0 !>~tmp_01~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     %0 %date%
    :GetMDY ------------------------------------------------------
     shift|shift
     echo;;|choice /c:;%1%; "~tmp_02~ ">~tmp_01~.bat
     echo set mm=%%2%%3>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set dd=%%5%%6>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2) do echo shift>>~tmp_02~.bat
     echo set yy=%%8%%9>>~tmp_02~.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp_01~.bat
     del ~tmp_02~.bat
    :Zip'em ------------------------------------------------------
     pkzip -ex %yy%%mm%%dd% *.LOG
     dir %yy%%mm%%dd%.zip
    :Cleanup -----------------------------------------------------
     for %%x in (date mm dd yy) do set %%x=
    :End ---------------------------------------------------------

    Requires CHOICE.COM and maybe 30 bytes free environment space.

MC> Thanks!

    Sure; no problem.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 444                                          Date: 25 Apr 96  17:25:00
  From: Ron Warder                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jerry Dugal                                  Mark:
  Subj: count lines in txt file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 >I need to count the # of lines in a txt file, any one have an idea on the
 >best way to go about doing this?

 Here ya go, courtesy of Prof. Timo Salmi, Finlands resident DOS guru:

   :: LC.BAT -----------------------------------------------------------
   @echo off
   echo +---------------------------------------------------+
   echo . Count the number of lines in the given TEXT file  .
   echo . By Prof. Timo Salmi, [e-mail], 6-Dec-91  .
   echo +---------------------------------------------------+

   rem If no parameters then give the instructions
   if "%1"=="" goto _help

   rem Check that the file exists
   if not exist %1 goto _nofind

   rem Count the lines
  :: Note: As posted in TSBATxx.ZIP, the line below has an error in the
  :: find string. The single "%" should have been "%%", since the single
  :: percent sign is absorbed by DOS's batch handler.
  :: find /v /c "2O4$fD%h38+" %1
   find /v /c "2O4$fD%%h38+" %1
   goto _out

   :_help
   echo.
   echo Usage: LC FileName
   goto _out

   :_nofind
   echo.
   echo File %1 not found
   goto _out

   :_out
   echo on
   :: End of LC.BAT ----------------------------------------------------

  This gives you a count of the number of lines in the specified file by
telling you how many lines -don't- contain the string "2O4$fD%%h38+". Any
string will work, so long as it is unique enough to -not- appear in the file
specified. The string given is as unique as any that I have ever come up with.
If the file being operated on contains that particular string, the result from
LC.BAT will be off by the number of lines that contain the search string.

  Hope this helps solve the problem ....




-!- SLMAIL v4.0a  (#0304)
 ! Origin: Free Spirit =*= SL/RIP =*= 301-283-0917 =*= V32b/HST (1:109/132)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 437                                          Date: 24 Apr 96  20:57:24
  From: Larry Nelson                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bill Martin                                  Mark:
  Subj: For/in/Do ?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
         BILL:

 Subject: FOR/DO...  Clean and Concise explinations?

BM> Can someone offer c clear idea of the usage for "FOR" / "DO".  I for BM>
one reason or another am having a problem getting a grasp on this. BM>
Especially when it is used to run multiple functions on multiple files...
Maybe a BM> "easy" example, as well as an intermediate on and an advanced one?

      The problem you mention is going to need a recursion routine
      but let's start off with a basic For command.

   FOR/IN/DO LOOP:
      The For/in/Do loop is so named for the three words needed to
      make it work. DOS help has a bit to say on the subject and
      while that is a good place to satrt there is a good deal
      more to know about FOR. For is made up of three main parts.
      The call "for", the set "in (.....)", and the command.

            for %%q  in (this is a for loop)    do echo %%q
            ^    ^       ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^         ^    ^
              |                 |                   |
          The call   The set (5 strings)        The command

      For cycles through the 5 strings in this set one at a time with
      the help of %%q. %%q is a local variable that takes on the value
      of each part of the set in turn.
      In people speak one could translate the first cycle of this
      For/in/DO loop as "For this do echo this". The next cycle, "For
      is do echo is".....and so on. the screen result would be......

            this
            is
            a
            for
            loop

      Echoing a list of words probably isn't the most exciting
      thing you have seen a Batch command do so hows about putting
      5 file names in the set....

      For %%q in (this.com is.bat a.txt for.lst loop.pft) do del %%q

      ...and now we have a tool that deletes 5 files.
      For nibbels at the edges of real loopdom in that it is controled
      by the number of strings in the set. The efforts needed to get
      any great amount of work out of it, however, boarder on the
      gymnastic.
      And now to your more advanced question. For can do something
      to a bunch of things or it can do a bunch of somethings to
      one thing, but it can't do a bunch of somethings to a bunch
      of things. Not wothout help that is, and that is where
      recursion comes in.

 RECURSIONS:
      Recursion happens when a Batch file calls itself. Why? You say.
      Well one reason a .bat might need to recycle itself is to run
      multiple functions on multiple files. For/in/do loops won't nest,
      try it and DOS will slap your hands.

      This....

         for %%q in (dos mail wrk) do for %%a in (*.bak *.tmp) del %%a

      will get you this....

         FOR cannot be nested

      Oh poo! Well not to fret, Recursion to the rescue......

         @echo off
         cls
            if not %1! == ! goto %1
            for %%q in (dos mail wrk) do call %0 step2 %%q
            goto L8r
         :step2
            for %%q in (c:\%2\*.bak c:\%2\*.tmp) do del %%q
         :L8r

      Not so pretty as the line we tried above, but it has the advantage
      of not offending Command.com. The first "For" recalls the .bat "%0"
      with the parameters "step2" and "%%q" which is "dos", "mail"
      and "wrk" in turn. The second "For" processes, in turn, each
      directory by deleting each ".bak" and ".tmp" file from the
      directory named in that current cycle of For#1. "c:\%2\%%q"
      in the first cycle of For#2 reads as c:\dos\*.bak. In the
      second cycle it reads "c:\dos\*.tmp"
      Neat Huh!
 :L8r
                 Larry
            ..... In a pinch a stone ax still works.....

-!- Maximus 2.02
 ! Origin: MSDOS MAXIMUS BBS (1:343/101)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 408                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  17:38:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: 1aday.bat             2/2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   [ ...Continued From Previous Message ]

    @echo off
    :1ADAY.BAT runs a specified program once-a-day only ---------------
     if not (%0)==(1ADAY.BAT) 1ADAY.BAT %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
     if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
     if not (%1)==() goto Begin
    :Syntax -----------------------------------------------------------
     echo      Name: 1ADAY.BAT
     echo   Purpose: Run a specified command only once a day
     echo    Syntax: 1ADAY program_name/command [parms...]
     echo            1ADAY /C   clears all entries
     echo            1ADAY /?   displays this help
     echo   Example: 1ADAY DEFRAG C: /F /SN
     echo  Requires: DOS v6.nn+'s FIND.EXE (in current PATH) and
     echo            29 bytes free environment space.
     echo Important: 1ADAY.BAT is self modifying!  It keeps track of
     echo            when and what was run at the end of itself.
     echo            Therefore all occurences of "1aday.bat" below
     echo            must be changed to include the complete path to
     echo            1ADAY.BAT.  From "1aday.bat" to "c:\bat\1aday.bat"
     echo            for example.
     goto End
    :Begin ------------------------------------------------------------
     set ~prefix~=:
     set ~prefix~=%~prefix~%:!
     for %%x in (c C) do if (%1)==(/%%x) goto ClearData
    :GetDate ----------------------------------------------------------
     echo set ~date~=%%3>~tmptmp1.bat
     dir/-p ~tmptmp1.bat|find "~TMPTMP1 BAT">~tmptmp2.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmptmp2.bat
     del ~tmptmp1.bat
    :Has current command already been run today? ----------------------
     find/i "%~prefix~%%~date~%%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9" 1aday.bat>nul
     if errorlevel 1 goto Nope
     :Yep ----------------------------
      echo The command:
      echo %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
      echo has already been run today.
      goto Cleanup
     :Nope ---------------------------
      echo %~prefix~%%~date~%%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9>>1aday.bat
      call %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
      goto Cleanup
    :ClearData --------------------------------------------------------
     type 1aday.bat|find /v "%~prefix~%">1aday.bat
    :Cleanup ----------------------------------------------------------
     rem for %%x in (prefix date) do set ~%%x~=
    :End - Data storage begins below. - Type "1ADAY /?" for info. -----
    ::!04-23-96dirg:\*.*

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-

-!- OLMS 2.53p+ [ERSBN55C]
 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 419                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  12:57:21
  From: Michael Barnes                               Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jason Laviska                                Mark:
  Subj: Command line arguments
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Jason Laviska wrote in a message to All:

 JL>      Is there a way to transmit the entire list of command
 JL> parameters to a program which will allow me to use more than nine
 JL> arguments using a batch file in dos 6.x?  Right now all I have
 JL> is...
 JL> @Echo off
 JL> C:\LASRCOMP\LASRCOMP.EXE %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
 JL> If Errorlevel==0 Echo Files are identical
 JL> If Errorlevel==255 Echo Files are different
'Lo Jason,

  Yes, use the shift command. (as in the example below)
but first..  you must list your errorlevel checks in reverse order- such as:
IF ERRORLEVEL 255 GOTO ERROR255
IF ERRORLEVEL 254 GOTO ERROR254
~~~
IF ERRORLEVEL 1   GOTO ERROR001
IF ERRORLEVEL 0   GOTO ERROR000
-!- Now on to the example ---
10PLUS.BAT
:START
IF '%2'=='' THEN SET LASTPARAM=TRUE
ECHO %1>>OUTPUT.TXT
IF '%LASTPARAM%'=='TRUE' THEN GOTO END
SHIFT
GOTO START
:END
TYPE OUPUT.TXT |MORE
-!- So, type:
10PLUS ONE 2 THREE 4 FIVE 6 SEVEN 8 NINE 10 ELEVEN 12 THIRTEEN 14 [ENTER]
and the file OUPUT.TXT will contain all 14 parameters. (the magic is in the
shift)

Sincerely,

Michael
-!- GEcho 1.20/Pro
 ! Origin:   On a clear disk, you can seek for ever      (1:271/210)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 439                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  17:38:10
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Ronald Mendoza                               Mark:
  Subj: Random message display
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RM> Now what exactly do you mean by "CHOICE.COM" is required in the PATH
RM> somewhere...How do you do this?? ANything special? Or do I just add
RM> "c:\dos\choice.com" to my path in my autoexec.bat???? Please clarify
RM> this for me! Thanks a lot!

    At the DOS prompt, you can type:

      PATH

    to view the directories in your current PATH.

    If you keep CHOICE.COM in your C:\DOS directory, (most do), just
    make sure the directory:

      C:\DOS

    is one of the directories in your current PATH.

    For example, here is the beginning of my current PATH (displayed by
    typing "PATH"):

      PATH=g:\key;c:\bat;c:\util;c:\dos;c:\pk;c:\scan
                                 ~~~~~~

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 ! Origin: SOX! Live from Hialeah_FL_USA [phone] (1:135/71)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 440                                          Date: 25 Apr 96  10:45:48
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jesse Jordan                                 Mark:
  Subj: Random numerical stuff
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Hello Jesse,

    If I've already answered the following, please ignore this dupe.
    BBN, "Buggy BossNode" ;(

JJ> Great so far! I have no idea how you got the date in this message,
JJ> but could you get the little split-seconds? I could use that
JJ> variable for the random number. And since it needs to be under 100,
JJ> 60 works great... That way, the role-playing character can start
JJ> low, and work stats up. See, in using seconds, I usually get stats
JJ> like this:
JJ>   15
JJ>   22  <--doesn't take this much time, but the example stands of it
JJ>   35  <--passing from lesser to greater.
JJ>   46
JJ>   56
JJ> It creates them in numerical order as the calls to the
JJ> variable-catching bat are made.
JJ> To speed things up, how about a bat the only catches the
JJ> splitsecond? <I couldn't do it if my life depended on it.>

    @echo off
    :RND.BAT - Copies the two digit hundredths-of-a-second
    :          from the current system time into an
    :          environment variable named RND.  Requires
    :          DOS's CHOICE.COM (somewhere in the PATH) and
    :          17 bytes free environment space.
    :Begin -------------------------------------------------
     ver|time>~rndtmp~.bat
     echo set rnd=%%3>current.bat
     call ~rndtmp~.bat
     del current.bat
     echo;;|choice /c:;%rnd%; "current ">~rndtmp~.bat
     for %%x in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8) do echo shift>>current.bat
     echo if not (%%1)==(.) shift>>current.bat
     echo if (%%1)==(.) shift>>current.bat
-->  echo set rnd=%%1%%2>>current.bat
     for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~rndtmp~.bat
     del current.bat
     echo RND=%rnd%
    :End --------------------------------------------- -vjf-

    Note: You can simply change the "%%1%%2" in the line marked with
          "-->" to "%%2%%1" if you'd rather have the second digit of the
          100ths of a second first.  For example, as it is, if the
          current time was "10:49:15.24a" the RND evar would be "24".
          If you reverse the %%1%%2 to %%2%%1, it would be "42".

JJ> Thanks for your help!

    Sure, no problem.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 418                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  08:36:01
  From: Greg Smith                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jerry Dugal                                  Mark:
  Subj: count lines in txt file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For reasons that are still not clear, Jerry Dugal said...

 JD> I need to count the # of lines in a txt file, any one have an idea on
 JD> the  best way to go about doing this?

Here we have one of those cases where we use a DOS command for something
completely different than what it was intended for...

@echo off
:: LCOUNT.BAT  - puts line count of specified file into LINES env variable
:: ---------------------------
:: Usage: LCOUNT filename.ext
:: ---------------------------
if (%1) == () EXIT
echo IF (%%1%) == () GOTO RERUN > --------.BAT
echo SET LINES = %%2% >> --------.BAT
echo  GOTO EXIT >> --------.BAT
echo :RERUN >> --------.BAT
find /V /C "-[gobbley&gook]-" %1 >> --------.BAT
:: you can use any "string" that you KNOW is NOT in the TEXT file to search.
echo :EXIT >> --------.BAT
call --------.BAT
del --------.BAT


-!- JMail-G 2.80a
 ! Origin: ACCENT! - Chandler, AZ - [phone] (1:114/402)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 429                                          Date: 26 Apr 96  12:03:11
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jerry Dugal                                  Mark:
  Subj: count lines in txt file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JD> I need to count the # of lines in a txt file, any one have an idea
JD> on the best way to go about doing this?

    If you mean count all the lines in a text file that:

      1) actually contain text (in other words, don't count the
         blank lines)

    and

      2) all the lines of text have at least one space somewhere in
         the line

    then the following DOS command will work:

      TYPE name_of_file|FIND /C " "


    If you want to count _ALL_ of the lines in a text file AND you know
    that NONE of the lines would contain some strange sequence of
    characters like say:

      ~!1@2#3$4~

    the following DOS command will work:

      TYPE name_of_file|FIND /C /V  "~!1@2#3$4~"


    And if you wanted to do something like count only the lines that had
    the string "the" in them, either upper- or lower-case, the command
    would be:

      TYPE name_of_file|FIND /C /I "the"


    How many fonts are being loaded in Windows 3.1n's WIN.INI?

      TYPE C:\WINDOWS\WIN.INI|FIND /C ".FO"


    'Kewl' eh? <g>

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 28 Apr 96  11:58:00
  From: Benjamin L Mcgee                             Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Vernon Frazee                                Mark:
  Subj: ERRORLEVEL
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 BLM> if errorlevel 255 echo 255
 BLM> if etc. etc. etc. ...
 BLM> if not errorlevel 1 echo 0

 VF>     How about something just a wee bit shorter (and faster)
 VF> than the above 257-line (minimum) monster:

[inspiring code deleted....]

Your code inspired me to pen the following, which seemes to work
fine for me.  Do you see any potential (or current) problems with
it.  Thanx blm

@echo off
:: EL.BAT blm 1996
:: Set "ERROR" environment variable to last ERRORLEVEL
:: and echo ERRORLEVEL

set error=
set errh=0
set errm=0
set errl=0

for %%h in (1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set errh=%%h
for %%m in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %errh%%%m0 set errm=%%m
for %%l in (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %errh%%errm%%%l set errl=%%l

for %%e in (%errh% %errm% %errl%) do if not "%%e"=="0" set error=%error%%%e
if "%error%"=="" set error=0

set errh=
set errm=
set errl=

echo Errorlevel %error%
Benjamin L McGee on 1:15/7

*FACT: There are more horse's asses than there are horses

-!- FLAME v1.1
 ! Origin: Purgatoire BBS, 719-846-0140, Trinidad, CO, V.34 (1:15/7)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 29 Apr 96  18:42:00
  From: Jason Laviska                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Command line arguments
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
     After all useful messages concerning the SHIFT function, I would like to
say thanks to those who have responded with tips and hints.  I have pretty much
combined all the messages regarding this topic and ended up using this batch
file below.  This message is mainly for those people who helped me, but
couldn't come up with the full solution.  If you see any problems with it, let
me know.

  @Echo Off
  If Exist LCDATA.TMP Del LCDATA.TMP >Nul
  If "%1"=="" Goto ERROR
  :START
  If "%1"=="" Goto RUNLC
  Echo %1 >>LCDATA.TMP
  SHIFT
  GOTO START
  :ERROR
  Echo No Command Line Parameters!
  C:\LASRCOMP\LASRCOMP.EXE /?
  Goto END
  :RUNLC
  C:\LASRCOMP\LASRCOMP.EXE @LCDATA.TMP
  Del LCDATA.TMP >Nul
  :END

     First it will check to see if the temporary exists, and if so, it will
delete it.  Next, it will create a file called LCDATA.TMP and store all the
command line variables by looping the command arguments using the SHIFT
command.  If there are no arguments were given to the batch file, it will
display the help file for LASRCOMP.EXE using the /? switch.  Afterwards, it
will then run the program using the temporary file as its command parameter.
(LaserCompare WILL read the file contents and use it as its command line if you
put a "@" sign in front of it.)   In the end, the batch file will discard the
temporary file.
- Jason Laviska

 ! Origin: _C_E_N_T_R_A_L__S_T_A_T_I_O_N_ * OS/2 * Melbourne,FL * (1:374/31)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 434                                          Date: 29 Apr 96  05:31:26
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Gary Smith                                   Mark:
  Subj: ERRORLEVEL
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> How about something just a wee bit shorter (and faster) than the
VF> above 257-line (minimum) monster:

GS> Your routine is prretty cool, but this one is shorter and uses no
GS> more than seven bytes of environment space.

GS> @echo off
GS> ::
GS> :: Set environment variable EL to the current error level,
GS> :: expressed as a 1-3 digit number (leading zeros suppressed).
GS> ::
GS> for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set EL=%%h
GS> if %EL% == 0 set EL=
GS> if errorlevel 200 for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5) do if errorlevel
GS>    2%%t0 set EL=2%%t
GS> if not errorlevel 200 for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if
GS>    errorlevel %EL%%%t0 set EL=%EL%%%t
GS> if %EL% == 0 set EL=
GS> if errorlevel 250 for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5) do if errorlevel
GS>    25%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
GS> if not errorlevel 250 for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if
GS>    errorlevel %EL%%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
GS> echo Error level = %EL%
GS>
GS> Note: indented lines are continuations for the preceding lines, so
GS> there are actually only seven "working" lines in the file. If you
GS> want a result that's always three digits, instead of dropping
GS> leading zeros, remove the two lines which begin "if %EL% == 0".

    Pretty cool!  Beat my filesize by a single byte.  Yours was 444
    compared to mine at 445.  Went to work on yours though and durn
    near whittled 100 bytes, down to 348:

      @echo off
      set A=0 1 2 3 4 5
      set B=%A% 6 7 8 9
      set C=errorlevel
      set D=) do if %C%
      set F=for %%x in (
      set G= set E
      %F%0 1 2%D% %%x00%G%=%%x
      if %C% 200 %F%%A%%D% 2%%x0%G%=2%%x
      if not %C% 200 %F%%B%%D% %E%%%x0%G%=%E%%%x
      if %C% 250 %F%%A%%D% 25%%x%G%=%E%%%x
      if not %C% 250 %F%%B%%D% %E%%%x%G%=%E%%%x
      echo %E%
      %F%A B C D E F G) do set %%x=

    Applied the same technique to mine and it's now at 329 bytes:

      @echo off
      set F=for %%x in (
      set E=errorlevel|%F%A B) do set %%x=0 1 2 3 4 5
      if not %E% 250 set A=%A% 6 7 8 9
      if not %E% 200 set B=%A%
      %F%1 2) do if %E% %%x00 set C=%%x
      %F%%B%) do if %E% %C%%%x0 set D=%%x
      if (%C%%D%)==(0) set D=
      set C=%C%%D%
      %F%%A%) do if %E% %C%%%x set D=%C%%%x
      echo %D%
      %F%A B C D E F) do set %%x=

    (Yours displays errorlevels with leading zeros, mine does not).

    Of course as you can tell, with these particular variations I wasn't
    worried about environment space nor the number of lines.  All I was
    really concerned with is simply the fewest number of bytes required
    to get the job done, (and, using nothing more than COMMAND.COM).

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 07 May 96  21:12:10
  From: Andy Guess                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Kwiatkowski                            Mark:
  Subj: FOR/DO...  Clean and Conc
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LK->Hokay - I understand the for-in-do function. Could anyone hazard a guess wh
LK->it will not work, for example, in autoexec with multiple "set" commands? Th
LK->has always puzzled me.

For multiple SET's on one line, use:
SET variable1=value1|SET variable2=value2|SET variable3=value3
You can do that as long as the line is less than 128 characters.
Hope I helped!
Cya,
-AG


 * SLMR 2.1a * Is this yours? Your dog left it on my lawn ...

-!-
 ! Origin: * My Place BBS * Bowie, Md USA * V.34 * [phone] * (1:109/570)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 450                                          Date: 06 May 96  14:58:47
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Joe Kron                                     Mark:
  Subj: Text Input HELP!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JK> See PC Mag. 5-25-'93 pg. 299. This is one of many third party string
JK> input utilities. ANSWER is another in The Best of IBM PC Shareware
JK> that puts the string in an EVAR. There is also PC Mag's STRINGS
JK> which does this and more. But I must say the best answer is still
JK> 4DOS.

    Why go searching for a third and/or spending money when DOS provides
    the capability?

      @echo off
      :INPUT.BAT puts what is typed next in environment variable INPUT
       set input=
       echo INPUT.BAT
       echo Type in something and press [Enter]
       fc con nul /lb1 /n|date|find "    1:  ">temptemp.bat
       echo :Loop>>enter.bat
       echo if not (%%input%%)==() set input=%%input%% %%5>>enter.bat
       echo if (%%input%%)==() set input=%%5>>enter.bat
       echo shift>>enter.bat
       echo if not (%%5)==() goto Loop>>enter.bat
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x temptemp.bat
       del enter.bat
       echo The string you just entered:
       echo %input%
       echo has been stored in an environment variable named INPUT
      :End

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 07 May 96  19:02:00
  From: Jeff Brielmaier                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Osgar Schaedtler                             Mark:
  Subj: DETECT IF WINDOWS IS RUNN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
OS>Is there a way to detect, in a batch file, if Windows is running?

   set|find "windir= >nul
   if errorlevel 1 goto NotRunning
   ....Windows is running....

 * KingQWK 1.05 # [PK] * DESQview vs. Windows is a no-Win situation.

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 ! Origin: HAL-PC - [phone] (1:106/4100)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 431                                          Date: 05 May 96  10:08:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Vernon Frazee                                Mark:
  Subj: ERRORLEVEL
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Vernon Frazee to Gary Smith (29 Apr 96) <=-

VF>     [....]
VF>     Applied the same technique to mine and it's now at 329 bytes:

VF>       @echo off
VF>       set F=for %%x in (
VF>       set E=errorlevel|%F%A B) do set %%x=0 1 2 3 4 5
VF>       [....]

Wow! But what shall I do with the rest of the 32Kb cluster?

Wouldn't it be more useful to have a routine that's simple and
easy to understand? For example:

 @echo off
 set !=
 for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set EL=%%h
 if not errorlevel 200 set !=6 7 8 9
 for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%t0 set EL=%EL%%%t
 if not errorlevel 250 set !=6 7 8 9
 for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 %!%) do if errorlevel %EL%%%u set EL=%EL%%%u
 echo %EL%
 set !=
 set EL=

No fluff to save space ;-) ... and only 316 bytes.

VF>     ..... displays errorlevels with leading zeros, mine does not

Would require minor modifications (+24 bytes) - but I prefer to
leave it as simple as it is.

Horst.
... Q4FM 2.10a ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02 / ScanToss
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 12 May 96  23:40:02
  From: Raphael Neve                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: John Medland                                 Mark:
  Subj: deleteing the undeletable dir
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Following up a message from Malcolm Campbell to John Medland:

 JM=> I had this problem a year or so ago and it's come back to haunt
 JM=> me. Some one had given me a solution but I've lost the message
 JM=> now. The problem:
 JM=> A directory has been renamed using an illegal name.
 JM=> Dos can't delete or rename the dir. No programs can delete it
 JM=> either. It was named c:\max\cbv, but the name has been changed to
 JM=> c:\max\cbv    á. Anyone?

if you really want to get radical, you can always use a disk sector editor to
delete the file "by hand" :) seriously... all you have to do is:
a) load up your favourite sector editor
b) search for a distinguishing string (the directory name in question (CBV) or
any other file in the same directory... make sure you do all capitals
c) make sure you've got the right file / directory name
d) check again
e) kneel down in front of the computer and call upon the computer gods to
protect you
f) cross fingers and touch wood
g) replace the first character of the file or directory name by E5
h) make sure you don't change anthing else
h) save and quit

check you did it right by doing a dir. if you still see it and you're sure you
saved, then you've done something wrong and the results are unpredictable. if
you don't then you're well on your way to becoming a die-hard-disk-sector-
editor guru. then run scandisk to get rid of the lost clusters (ie all the
stuff that didn't get unlinked when you got rid of the directory or file
"manually")

note: kids, don't do this at home!!!

raph.

p.s. this is accurate: in a nutshell, dos recognises files that are deleted
from those that aren't by checking if the first character of a filename /
directory name is 'e5'. when you delete a file, all that happens is this
character gets written in the fat on top of the first character of the filename
(well, actually the associated clusters are freed too but that's nothing to do
with the fat). anyway... by writing this character in there yourself, you
effectively delete the file.

... Buy Stacker?  Why not just delete Windows?
-!- FMail 0.96Γ
 ! Origin:  Canada Dry BBS - France * 3 lines on 47.29.33.85  (2:321/1)


─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 14 May 96  20:15:46
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: errorlevel
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LN> Here's my 2 bits worth.
LN>
LN> ::ERR.BAT/DOS6.20
LN> :: Tested through errorlevel 26
LN> @echo off
LN> cls
LN> for %%h in (0 1 2) do if errorlevel %%h00 set L=%%h
LN> for %%t in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %L%%%t0 set L=%L%%%t
LN> for %%u in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if errorlevel %L%%%u set L=%L%%%u
LN> echo errorlevel=%L%
LN> set L=
LN> :L8r
LN>
LN> Less code, no temp files, 1 envar, and 280 bytes.
LN> :L8r

    A measly 7 more bytes and you get 'em all:

      @echo off
      set e=Errorlevel|set !=|set p=for %%t in (0 1 2
      %p%) do if %e% %%t00 set L=%%t
      if not %e% 200 set !=6 7 8 9
      %p%3 4 5 %!%) do if %e% %L%%%t0 set L=%L%%%t
      if not %e% 250 set !=6 7 8 9
      %p%3 4 5 %!%) do if %e% %L%%%t set L=%L%%%t
      set !=|set L=|set e=|set p=|echo %e%=%L%

    <g>
-!- Terminate 4.00
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 441             Rec'd                        Date: 22 May 96  18:04:53
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bat Lang                                     Mark:
  Subj: FOR/DO...  Clean and Conc
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF>   for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
VF> If you'll watch DOS process this line, you can see it doing
VF> exactly the same thing as the above four individual lines
VF>   SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
VF>   SET TMP=C:\TEMP
VF>   SET LIST=C:\TEMP
VF>   SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP

BL> Which is faster in execution, your first quoted line, or?:
BL> SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP

    To slow them down enough to be able to even time them, I did 10
    iterations of each.  IOW,

    @echo off
    :FORINDO.BAT
    for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
    for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
    for %%x in (TEMP TMP LIST AHDTMP) do SET %%x=C:\TEMP
    ... 10 of these for-in-do's ...

    @echo off
    :SET-EACH.BAT
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TMP=C:\TEMP
    SET LIST=C:\TEMP
    SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    set temp=c:\temp
    set tmp=c:\temp
    set list=c:\temp
    set ahdtmp=c:\temp
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TMP=C:\TEMP
    SET LIST=C:\TEMP
    SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    ... 10 sets of these groups of four ...

    @echo off
    :ALLON1.BAT
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    SET TEMP=C:\TEMP|SET TMP=C:\TEMP|SET LIST=C:\TEMP|SET AHDTMP=C:\TEMP
    ... 10 of these lines ...


    I then ran each 10 times and averaged the elapsed times.  Results:

      BATch file    Elapsed Time
      ------------  -------------
      FORINDO.BAT    1:59 seconds
      SET-EACH.BAT   1:37 seconds
      ALLON1.BAT    10:99 seconds

    Yep, I couldn't believe it either. <G>

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 419                                          Date: 23 May 96  16:49:56
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jesse Block                                  Mark:
  Subj: Bat Needed!
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JB> The other day, we were tring to make a Batch file that would comb
JB> through an ASCII file and pullout all the web address, then, put
JB> them into another ASCII file called NET.TXT.    We found this could
JB> do it from MS_DOS 6.22:
JB>
JB>   for %f in (*.txt) do find "http:" %f > net.txt
JB>
JB> but for some reason, we couldn't use this in a batch file.  It kept
JB> coming back "syntax error" but it worked fine from a dos prompt. So,
JB> here's my problem:
JB>
JB> 1. Can this be done as a batch file in a different way?
JB>
JB> 2. What did I do wrong that _this_ wouldn't work?

    DOS strips one of the percent signs when for-in-do is being used in
    a BATch file.  Therefore, if you'll change both occurances of "%f"
    to "%%f" it should work just fine.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 407                                          Date: 23 May 96  10:24:40
  From: Richard Epling                               Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Alan Milewczyk                               Mark:
  Subj: Capturing date in a batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    From: Alan Milewczyk                       Time: 05-19-96 13:30:30
> I want to be able to capture today's date into a batch file to enable
> me to copy files in a specific directory with the attribute flag set.
> How do I capture the date and pass it over to the copy file routine.

I don't understand how you would use the date to copy the files but I'm
assuming you do. One way you could do this would be to get the output of a
DATE command into a temporary batch file which you could then use to run
another batch file to do what you want to do. For example;

@ECHO OFF
ECHO.|DATE|FIND /I "CURRENT">TEMP.BAT

That will put the line "Current date is Thu 05-23-1996" into TEMP.BAT.
You can then either have a batch file name CURRENT.BAT to do the work, and
CALL TEMP.BAT or ECHO the commands you want to CURRENT.BAT. For example to
set an environment variable with the current date you could continue the
above example with these lines;

ECHO SET D8=%%4>CURRENT.BAT
CALL TEMP.BAT

That will give you an environment variable you might be able to use in your
other batch command. Note the double percent sign is required here. The
contents of CURRENT.BAT would be "SET D8=%4." CALLing TEMP.BAT would cause it
to run CURRENT.BAT which would set the variable for you. Hope this is what you
need.

Richard
-!- FreeMail 1.09
 ! Origin: Electric Eye-28.8 Sacramento,CA(916)441-5465    (1:203/65)


─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 449                                          Date: 27 May 96  00:00:00
  From: Mike Zeleski                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Robin Chapple                                Mark:
  Subj: Where To Start?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RC>Greetings To All!

RC>         I'm wanting to learn more about batch file programming.
RC>         Where does a 'know nothing' start?

With the basics...  :-}

RC>Is there a file I can download?

Several, notably you should look for MUF17, and any one of several Batch
programming tutorial that exist on the Nets...

RC>Is there a good book that I can buy?

Several, however you should already have a good one already...

Your Dos Manual, and the Dos Help program.  While they are not
particularly batch specific, they will help a lot.

The other features of BFP are not all that bad to master.
Excluding ordinary Dos commands, BFP just adds a few instructions,
labels, and variables to the mix...

Lets see...
%1-%9 are handled much like Dos command line variables,
There is a IF (?) command, Labels to go to, and several other bits...

See below for a few examples.  This little bit is notoriously short on
how to's beyond the vary basic minimums, but frankly let's discuss them
later when you have specific questions to ask...

[Start Mike's BFP MiniFaq.]

Batch file program is based on the simple conjecture that it is easy to
create a user readable text file program/utility that simply stacks Dos
commands together with just a few special BFP commands to do actions
like move a file or create a directory and move to it without having to
create a program to do so from scratch...

This can be a simple way to automate anything that you do more than
once. With a few external Batch programming aids, the use of command
line variables, internal variables, Qbasic calls, stacked commands,
errorlevel jumps, Labels, and Goto's these "little" programs can get
quite sophisticated and complicated in a hurry.

However BFP is best when kept to the basics for most mundane everyday
uses, as in good engineering KISS is the word.  As a tip I often use a
little batch file that dumps doskey's remembered commands into a little
batch file and immediately edit it like so.

Qckbat.bat (Use D:\path\xxxxxxxx.bat CM parameter)

DOSKEY /HISTORY > %1
EDIT %1

This little example dumps past instructions into a batch file and
immediately sends you into edit to make some small changes to that
batch file. (You must have doskey loaded to make this work.)

I also used a Batchfile program to present a nice menu with ansi.sys
commands and a external utility to run my most frequently used programs
from. I did this to even run some Windows programs or plain Windows by
itself. Did you know that you can start Windows and run a Windows program
immediately from the commandline...

In fact here are a few clips from that menu, (If you want the entire
thing including the utility I used to use, Netmail me.) One of the
below clips includes the most efficient defrag command line I know of.
It's only a few percent better than a simple consolidation, but what the
hay, you might as well do it right...

[quote mode on.]

:run_defr
C:\d\defrag C: /F /S:E
goto restart2

:run_qmdm
win c:\qmpw\qmwin qmwin.phn 1
rem This little string starts Windows, my old Q-modem terminal program,
rem calls my main bbs mail #, and it's attached script.  Mail run.
rem Automation! 3 command line parameters for two different programs.
goto restart

:winstart
win
rem Run Windows.
goto restart

:wp_60
win C:\wp60\wp
rem Same as above with Word Perfect 6 for windows.
goto restart

:win_word
win C:\winword\winword.exe
Rem Yes, I do Microsoft apps. But you should hear the wave file attached
rem to this program's start up it. Ahooga.wav
goto restart

:Gramtx_5
Win: c:\gmkw\gmkw.exe
rem sometimes we use bad english, don't we...
goto restart

[quote mode off.]

Some other useful examples...

MDCD.BAT (Use xxxxxxxxxxx directory name CM param.)

MD %1
CD %1

This little BFP creates the directory and moves you directly into the
directory that it just created.  Use just like you would use both MD &
CD, but it combines them into just one command...

Header.bat (Use D:\path\xxxxxxxx.txt CM parameter.)

@Echo (One line of text here) > JUNK.txt
copy JUNK.TXT + %1 %1
del junk.txt

This little installs adds one line of prespeficified text into the
beginning of every file indicated as the commandline parameter.

If you want to add more than one line then you do it this way...

Header.bat (Use D:\path\xxxxxxxx.txt CM parameter.)

@Echo (One line of text here) > JUNK.txt
@Echo (Next line of text here) >> JUNK.txt
Rem Repeat the echo as many times as needed.
rem One arrow means make the file, two means add to it, aka append.
copy JUNK.TXT + %1 %1
del junk.txt

Trailer.bat

@Echo (One line of text here) > JUNK.txt
@Echo (Next line of text here) >> JUNK.txt
Rem Repeat the echo as many times as needed.
rem One arrow means make or overwrite the file, two means add to it, aka
rem append.
copy %1 + JUNK.TXT %1
del junk.txt

There are some good BFP FAQ/tutorial files floating around out on the
BBS's, as is the excellent MUF 1.7 file. I suggest you grab them...



-!-
 * OLXWin 1.00b * Always tell her she's beautiful, especially if she isn't. RAH

-!- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
 ! Origin: Father & Son*610-439-1509*Whitehall Pa  (1:2607/112.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 30 May 96  09:04:27
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Errlevel.exe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
VF> I almost sent you the following little ERRLEVEL.COM (& .DOC) in my
VF> last message to you.  It sticks whatever errorlevel you want in
VF> memory so you can then test for it with your BATch file.
VF> ----------------------------->CUT HERE<-----------------------------
VF> NERRLEVEL.ZIP

LN> TKS, Rat.com worked but it was a long way around. Am now waiting for
LN> the sh*t storm when these guys discover that we might actualy stoop
LN> to extraDOS utilities on the odd occation.

    <g>

LN> Has any body actualy found where in memory the errorlevel data is
LN> stored?

    Here, try this -- stick an exit code in memory that can then be
    tested for with one of the EL.BAT files floating around:

    1) Put what's in this     Everything in this column
       column into a file     is merely a comment and
       named GETKEY.SCR:      should not be in the file
       ------------------     ----------------------------
       N GETKEY.COM           Filename will be GETKEY.COM
       A                      Toggle into assembler mode
       MOV AH,00              BIOS read a character and
       INT 16                 put its ASCII code into AL
       MOV AH,4C              Ready to exit with code so
       INT 21                 do it
                              Toggle out of assembler mode
       RCX                    Read register CX and
       8                      stuff file size into it
       W                      Write the file to disk
       Q                      Quit DEBUG

    (Note: Make sure you leave the blank line between "INT 21" and "RCX"
    to toggle DEBUG back out of the assembler mode).

    2) Create the program GETKEY.COM by typing:

         DEBUG<GETKEY.SCR

    3) To test it type:

         GETKEY|EL

       and then press say the [Esc] key.  You should get an errorlevel
       of 27 -- the ASCII code for the Escape character.  Now try it by
       pressing say [Shift-A] (uppercase A) and you should get an
       errorlevel of 65.  Lowercase "A" would be 97, etc., etc., etc.

       Or, you could even use it in a BATch file that would only exit to
       DOS if you pressed say the [Enter] key (ASCII 13):

         @echo off
          echo Press the [Enter] key to exit to DOS
         :Loop
          getkey
          if errorlevel 13 if not errorlevel 14 goto End
          goto Loop
         :End

    (Note: Both DOS and your system's BIOS can process keystrokes.  This
    particular example uses the BIOS but it's just as easy to substitute
    a DOS function call.  In fact, DOS is better for some things because
    it offers several options.  It can display the character you entered
    or discard it, wait for a keystroke or process one only if it's
    there waiting, and it can handle break attempts or ignore them).

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 439                                          Date: 30 May 96  14:27:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: filenames with numerical extensions
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If anybody has a series of files with all digit extensions, I
made the following two batch files to enable switching back
and forth between having or stripping leading zeroes in their
extensions (i.e., renaming the files by changing the extension).
These batch file names may be called whatever_you_want.bat

Rejoin word-wrapped command sentences at the dollar signs, then
delete the dollar signs.(Two sets per file)
------------------------------------------------
::lead000.bat
@echo off
if "%1"=="pancakedough" goto pancakedough
if "%1"=="" goto syntax
set fn=%1
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
            $$$ %fn%.%%x ren %fn%.%%x %fn%.00%%x
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do call %0 pancakedough %%x
goto end
:pancakedough
set k=%2
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
    $$$ %fn%.%k%%%x ren %fn%.%k%%%x %fn%.0%k%%%x
goto end
:syntax
echo enter lead000 file_basename
:end
set k=
------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------
::nolead0.bat
@echo off
if "%1"=="pancakedough" goto pancakedough
if "%1"=="" goto syntax
set fn=%1
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
          $$$ %fn%.00%%x ren %fn%.00%%x %fn%.%%x
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do call %0 pancakedough %%x
goto end
:pancakedough
set k=%2
for %%x in (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9) do if exist $$$
   $$$ %fn%.0%k%%%x ren %fn%.0%k%%%x %fn%.%k%%%x
goto end
:syntax
echo enter nolead0 file_basename
:end
set k=
------------------------------------------------
For example, if you have file.1 through file.25, entering
a command of lead000 file will leave you with file.001
through file.025.  To put them back to original names,
enter nolead0 file

   Roy
 ! Origin: The GIFfer BBS, 75+gig, [phone] (1:377/50)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 421                                          Date: 03 Jun 96  15:12:36
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: MIKE DUTTERA                                 Mark:
  Subj: Capturing date in a batch
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
AM> I want to be able to capture today's date into a batch file ...

VF>   @echo off
VF>   :Sticks the current date in evar DT
VF>   echo set DT=%%4>current.bat
VF>   ver|date>~.bat
VF>   for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~.bat
VF>   del current.bat

MD> Okay, tryin' ta learn here. (Oh No! He says!<G>)

    We ALL started in the exact same predicament.  <g>

MD> How and/or what is being parsed in what fashion that so you
MD> magically gets the date into %%4? Tisn't immediately obvious.  I'd
MD> like to see why this worked as maybe it might come in handy someday.
MD> Thanks, Mike

    The line that begins with "echo" puts the following string:

      echo set DT=%4

    into a file named "CURRENT.BAT".  (DOS automatically replaced the
    two percent signs to one).

    The next line, the one that begins with "ver|date", will put
    something similar to the following:

      Current date is Mon 06-03-1996
      Enter new date (mm-dd-yy):

    into a file named "~.BAT".

    The next line, the one that begins with "for", first CALLs
    (launches) ~.BAT.  Because the first word inside ~.BAT is "Current"
    it subsequently launches the CURRENT.BAT with the command line:

      Current date is Mon 06-03-1996

      |~~~~~~ |~~~ |~ |~~ |~~~~~~~~~
      0       1    2  3   4

    As you can see this command line will pass the string "06-03-1996"
    as the 4th parameter which CURRENT.BAT will then put into an
    environment variable named "DT".

    The "del" (in the same line beginning with "for") is the next
    command DOS will carry out which gets rid of our temporary ~.BAT.

    The very last line gets rid of the temporary CURRENT.BAT ...

    and all we're left with is the following in the environment:

      DT=06-03-1996

    Pretty slick eh?  <g>

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 437                                          Date: 04 Jun 96  15:27:22
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Evelyn Brown                                 Mark:
  Subj: COUNTING
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
EB> I read and used your COUNT.BAT and COUNTTO.BAT and all worked
EB> as you said it would. I've been wondering for a long time how to put
EB> values into the environment without using SET. I did add one "call
EB> count /o" at the beginning of COUNTTO.BAT and now when I interrupt
EB> execution with CTRL-C it will start again from zero. I got into a
EB> loop that kept going higher, even after it passed the value I
EB> entered with COUNTTO.BAT. Now for the real reason for my message. I
EB> don't understand what the batch files are doing. If you could
EB> possibly walk me thru both of them, step by step, I would greatly
EB> appreciate it. I'm not a beginner at batch files, but I don't know
EB> the "innards" of DOS well enough to use its real power. Thanks in
EB> advance - Evelyn Brown Houston - HAL-PC BBS

    Before we delve into each line here, each time COUNT.BAT is launched
    (without its "/0" (initialize parameter)) it appends another line to
    itself.  Each line appended contains the following two characters:

      :1

    All we then have to do to find out how many times COUNT.BAT has been
    run is use FIND's "/c" (count) parameter -- like so:

      FIND /C ":1" C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT

    If COUNT.BAT had 16 lines containing a ":1", FIND would display:

      ---------- C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT: 16

    That's really all there is to it.

    Of course, if you'd rather display something a little less confusing
    you could then:

    1) Capture FIND's output to a temporary BATch file, say named
       COUNTEMP.BAT:

         FIND /C ":1" C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT>COUNTEMP.BAT

    2) Create another temporary BATch file named "--------.BAT" (eight
       dashes) that will place its second command line parameter into a
       temporary environment variable, say named COUNTEMP:

         ECHO SET COUNT=%%2>--------.BAT

    3) If we now launch COUNTEMP.BAT its first word is ---------- which
       subsequently launches --------.BAT with a command line of:

         ---------- C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT: 16

    4) --------.BAT then sets environment variable (evar) "COUNT=16"
       with its command line of:

         SET COUNT=%2

    5) Now display what's in evar COUNT with the line:

         echo Count=%COUNT%

    6) And all that's left to do is cleanup our temporary files.

         FOR %X IN (COUNTEMP --------) DO DEL %%X.BAT

    Now on to your request:

01  @echo off
02  :COUNT.BAT - Increments COUNT evar each time run - (Self modifying!)
03  :
04  :Note: All occurrences of "c:\bat" below must be changed to match the
05  :      "drive:\directory" where you will be storing this Count.BAT.
06  :
07   if not (%1)==(/?) goto Begin
08   echo Purpose: Increments COUNT environment variable each time run.
09   echo  Syntax: Count [/0]          (Optional "/0" means initialize)
10   goto End
11  :Begin -------------------------------------------------------------
12   set count=1
13   if not (%1)==(/0) goto Count
14  :Initialize --------------------------------------------------------
15   find /v ":%count%"<c:\bat\count.bat>c:\bat\count.tmp
16   copy c:\bat\count.tmp c:\bat\count.bat>nul
17   del c:\bat\count.tmp
18   set count=
19   goto End
20  :Count -------------------------------------------------------------
21   echo :%count%>>c:\bat\count.bat
22   find /c ":%count%" c:\bat\count.bat>countemp.bat
23   echo set count=%%2>--------.bat
24   for %%x in (call del) do %%x countemp.bat
25   del --------.bat
26   echo COUNT=%count%
27  :End (COUNT.BAT data storage begins on the next line below). - -vjf-

[...continued in next message...]

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17 E-Mail: [e-mail] -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 04 Jun 96  15:29:29
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Evelyn Brown                                 Mark:
  Subj: COUNTING
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Line 01: Flips the echo off which keeps DOS from displaying each
             line of the BATch file as it is being executed. The leading
             "@" symbol keeps DOS from displaying the actual "@echo off"
             line before it gets a chance to toggle echo off.
    Line 02: The ":" symbol is usually used to tell DOS that a line is a
             LABEL (as would be used in the BATch command "GOTO LABEL").
             It's used here simply to keep DOS from trying to execute
             the line because it's being used for a comment instead.
    Line 03: Blank line comment used as a visual divider.
    Line 04: Again, since the line begins with a ":" DOS thinks it's a
             LABEL and ignores it for now. (Hence we can also use ":"
             to start our comment lines).
    Line 05: Continuation of the comment beginning on line 04 above.
    Line 06: Blank line comment used as a visual divider.

    Line 07: Check to see if the user entered a command line parameter
             of "/?".  If they did NOT, it's jumps to label :Begin.  If
             they did, it falls through to the next line ...
    Line 08: displays the first line of the brief 2-line help,
    Line 09: then the second line of the brief 2-line help, and
    Line 10: then jumps to label :End.

    Line 11: Label :Begin.  (BTW, DOS ignores everything after a space
             (and anything beyond 8 characters if there isn't a space)).
    Line 12: Set an environment variable named "count" equal to 1.
    Line 13: If the user did NOT enter a "/0" on the command line, jump
             to the line label :Count, else ...

    Line 14: fall through to line labeled :Initialize. (IOW, we're
             preparing to reset the count to 0).
    Line 15: Environment variable "count" currently contains a "1".
             FIND's "/v" parameter means DON'T find something.
             Therefore, the command:
               find /v ":%count%"<c:\bat\count.bat>c:\bat\count.tmp
             means: "Yo! FIND, using C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT as input, (the
                    '<c:\bat\count.bat' part), look for all the lines
                    that do NOT (the '/v' parameter) contain the two
                    character string ":1" (what's in evar 'count'
                    prefixed with a ":"), and, instead of displaying the
                    results on the screen, write 'em to a file named
                    C:\BAT\COUNT.TMP (the '>c:\bat\count.tmp' part)."
    Line 16: Copies the temporary file C:\BAT\COUNT.TMP over top of
             C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT. (IOW, any lines that were in
             C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT are now missing because we used FIND to
             search for everything but some unique something).
    Line 17: Delete the temporary file C:\BAT\COUNT.TMP.
    Line 18: Remove evar COUNT from the environment.
    Line 19: Goto line labeled :End.  (COUNT.BAT has been initialized).

    Line 20: Beginning of the Count routine
    Line 21: Append the two character string ":1" to C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT
    Line 22: Use FIND's "/c" parameter to count the number of lines in
             C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT with the string ":1" (what's in evar COUNT
             prefixed with a ":")) and send the results to a temporary
             file named COUNTEMP.BAT.
    Line 23: Put the string:
               set count=%2
             into a file named --------.BAT
    Line 24: First, CALL COUNTEMP.BAT and then DELete it.
    Line 25: DELete --------.BAT
    Line 26: Display the number left in evar COUNT by --------.BAT.
    Line 27: And that's it, we're outta here.

    BTW, when there are a mess of

      :1
      :1
      :1
      :1

    lines at the end of C:\BAT\COUNT.BAT, DOS will ignore them because
    they each begin with a ":" -- line labels.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 05 Jun 96  14:04:58
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Errorlevel.exe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    The enclosed SETEL.COM (along with SETEL.DOC) is actually a XEQ.COM
    (v1.15 COM File Library and Command Executor) containing all 256
    6-byte errorlevel-setting COM files.  Storing them this way instead
    of individually can save tons of room on your hard drive.

    Each of the 256 .COM files within SETEL.COM can be executed in place
    (while still within SETEL.COM) and each will still do exactly the
    same thing -- place the errorlevel indicated by their filename into
    memory.  e.g.,   SETEL 96   will place errorlevel 96 in memory.

[...Part 1 of 2 of file SETEL.SCR...]

----------------------------> CUT HERE <-----------------------------
 NSETEL.RAR
 E100 FC "+"ED BE 8B 1 B9 F5 FD "+"DB 8B D6 B4 "?"CD "!riP"8B DE 8B
 E117 C8 AC "<*"E0 FB "uP"B4 1 80 F4 1 "<"A AC "u"FB "<>t"F4 A E4 "u"
 E130 F3 E8 "'"0 "*"F6 3 EA FE C6 B1 4 AC "< v"E3 E8 17 0 2 D2 2 D2
 E148 B5 6 D1 E2 "s"5 88 "7C"B6 1 FE CD "u"F3 E2 E3 EB DF 8A D0 BF
 E15E 80 1 2 "U"FF "*"15 "r"7 AE "r"4 AE "s"F3 C3 "XZ"B9 FF FF F7 DA
 E175 B8 1 "B+"DB CD "!"8B CD CC 0 "+,-.0:A[a{"FF
 G=100
 W18B
 Q XDS 1.3mp by Horst Schaeffer
*XXBUG20--000016AE--04061996--FD5DABFC------------------SETEL.RAR
nIa3m6Fc5+1jEQkU+1E++++++++-FULE+U0Y+FlA++0QN++++NB134E+6kG+DBEY+6+++
n+3B3J2JA9YBDHEzPqOjiTR5MPbUjf992b2TlK+Djzsfyz2pj1tC6OTtySl2waxkrTyjA
nSImhbrzbLRTWctmLa7KUYQl5rRtTFvayVM-yGNh8CBbb+XOufrkM8sVUkRenhA+z0QgH
noIxkFykabQG2S2Es2v2-iF6wV-VTD+DPBPJcSntNECQzoRbBn1hNB5Dm4urRyaDU6X7z
njNo59HZBncJ5zZtWtZe8Xrp6lQUyTVvD1CLA7WsRtgIEZTOyP-xaPEzaHIkzIz3iB8o1
nWV3oUd-Y7wpzbYaXu13zpODmAjGoP7uztUokmiOrUpUMzX93DsYMurGH+z2pZcVTe3oT
nEyWqQffwzgD-2iwS+RSMPPqYzi-kHqJK6ObLaAa1-5yb+S+dHH1zY3rECxVPC8ULiYm-
n0j1nMqlbi-uWKFllDTdCKwgiAzFaD00+ksbP1wknk+4tR0ELi5weA0Gs2Pnses48SIGB
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nlb4-PTZj72wG4nFYR3cTOXFPH7kpIc184vRXEOayc2WkLubcbw6ANXQa582ayBvQ4L9m

[...Part 2 of 2 of SETEL.SCR in next message...]

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-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 05 Jun 96  14:05:22
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Errorlevel.exe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
[...Part 2 of 2 of SETEL.SCR continued from last message...]

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fnwIm490FtnOJ5a4Wm1ntMAZQ639+ifRIOatIXlWwRP7Q6EFsq7vNMZFanQUO
*XXBUG Version 2.21 by Chad Wagner
----------------------------> CUT HERE <-----------------------------
 If you have downloaded this script file, remove any captured
 communications header and then enter

   DEBUG < filename

 where filename is the name of this script file.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 05 Jun 96  14:05:42
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Larry Nelson                                 Mark:
  Subj: Errorlevel.exe
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Summary:

    MAKEL    BAT     894 06-01-96   1:00a When launched with a number
                                          between 0 and 255 (inclusive)
                                          on the command line, MAKEL.BAT
                                          will create a matching 6-byte
                                          filename with a COM extension.
                                          When this COM file is
                                          subsequently executed it
                                          places the corresponding
                                          errorlevel in memory.

    MAKALLEL BAS     627 06-01-96   1:00a Creates all 256 6-byte .COM
                                          files, 0.COM thru 255.COM.
                                          When each of these COM files
                                          are executed they place the
                                          errorlevel indicated by their
                                          filenames in memory. (e.g.
                                          96.COM sets errorlevel 96).

    ALLELCOM SCR   6,084 06-01-96   1:00a ALLELCOM.SCR contains
                                          ALLELCOM.ZIP which
                                          contains ALLELCOM.RAR
                                          which contains all 256
                                          6-byte COM files (0-255.COM).

    SETEL    SCR   8,967 06-01-96   1:00a Contains SETEL.RAR which
                                          contains SETEL.COM and
                                          SETEL.DOC.  SETEL.COM is
                                          actually a XEQ.COM (v1.15 COM
                                          File Library and Command
                                          Executor) which contains all
                                          256 6-byte COM files. (Saves
                                          room on the hard drive).  Each
                                          of these, when executed right
                                          from within SETEL.COM, will
                                          place the errorlevel indicated
                                          by their filename into memory.
                                          For example, use the command
                                          SETEL 96   to place errorlevel
                                          96 in memory.
                                          Syntax: [d:][\path\]SETEL #
                                          (Where # is any number between
                                          0 and 255 (inclusive)).

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 10 Jun 96  20:23:00
  From: Ron Warder                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Axel Merkel                                  Mark:
  Subj: arj & delete
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 > i'm looking for a batch that will do something like this
 > checking one directory like arj t *.arj, and if happends a CRC failure,
 > deleting this file

  A good start would be to familiarize yourself with ARJ's different exit codes
(also called errorlevels):
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (From ARJ 2.41a docs)

                               ARJ DOS ERRORLEVELS:

       ARJ returns a number of DOS errorlevels for different situations.

       0 ->   success
       1 ->   warning (specified file to add to archive not found,
              specified file to list, extract, etc., not found,
              or answering negatively to "OK to proceed to next
              volume..." prompt)
       2 ->   fatal error
       3 ->   CRC error (header or file CRC error)
       4 ->   ARJ-SECURITY error or attempt to update an ARJ-SECURED archive
       5 ->   disk full or write error
       6 ->   can't open archive or file
       7 ->   simple user error (bad parameters)
       8 ->   not enough memory
       9 ->   not an ARJ archive
____________________________________________________________________________

  So, to trap a CRC error in a tested ARJ file, for example, you would need to
test for errorlevel 3. Note that errorlevel tests need to be performed in
REVERSE order to work properly.

  As far as the structure of the BATch, I myself wouldn't -delete- the file,
since ARJ has some built-in repair capabilities. I would, however, MOVE it to a
holding area for further processing/repair efforts. But, hey, you wanna delete
it, no problem!

  Pull the text below into your favorite ASCII editor, and save the two batch
files shown below as ARJTEST.BAT and CHK_ARJ.BAT, respectively. Remember to
join the two lines in CHK_ARJ.BAT where indicated, otherwise, that part won't
work as designed.

::ARJTEST.BAT --------------------------------------------------------- @echo
off
for %%a in (*.arj) do call CHK_ARJ.BAT %%a
:end of ARJTEST.BAT ---------------------------------------------------

::CHK_ARJ.BAT --------------------------------------------------------- @echo
off
cls
echo       Now testing %1.'s integrity, please stand by ....
arj t %1 >nul
if errorlevel 9 goto ERR9
if errorlevel 8 goto ERR8
if errorlevel 7 goto ERR7
if errorlevel 6 goto ERR6
if errorlevel 5 goto ERR5
if errorlevel 4 goto ERR4
if errorlevel 3 goto ERR3
if errorlevel 2 goto ERR2
if errorlevel 1 goto ERR1
goto OK

:ERR9
  echo   File %1 is NOT a valid ARJ file!
  echo File %1 is not a valid ARJ file. Please check this file.>>arjtest.log
  goto end

:ERR8
  echo   Not enough memory to complete operation!
  goto end

:ERR7
  echo   Invalid Parameters. Please check commandline!
  goto end

:ERR6
  echo   Unable to open %1! Check spelling and make sure file exists.
  goto end

:ERR5
  echo   Disk is either full or write protected.
  goto end

:ERR4
  echo  ARJ-SECURITY error or attempt to update an ARJ-SECURED archive
  goto end

:ERR3
  echo  CRC error! %1 is probably corrupt.
  del %1
  echo File %1 had a CRC error and has been deleted.>>arjtest.log
  goto end

:ERR2
  echo  Fatal error! Process aborting.
 :: Next two lines should be 1 line. Remove "..." from end of next line
 :: and beginning of following line and rejoin lines before running batch!
  echo File %1 caused a fatal ARJ error. ARJ header most likely ... ...
corrupt.>>arjtest.log
  goto end

:ERR1
  echo  Warning! Specified file not found,
  goto end

:OK
  echo  Process was successful, no errors found.
  echo File %1 checks out OK!>>arjtest.log

:END of CHK_ARJ.BAT ---------------------------------------------------

  Hope this helps. Let us know how it works for you....



-!- SLMAIL v4.0a  (#0304)
 ! Origin: Free Spirit =*= SL/RIP =*= 301-283-0917 =*= V32b/HST (1:109/132)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 427                                          Date: 12 Jun 96  18:09:52
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Andrew Adams                                 Mark:
  Subj: Batch Help
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
AA> Is there any way I can use a batch command to retrieve a line out of
AA> a file?  For example, say I wanted to retrieve the 3rd line of
AA> README.TXT. What would I do? Or can you even do this with Batch?

    If you don't mind the line number surrounded by square brackets
    preceding the text of the line itself, it can be done right from
    the DOS prompt. For example, let's say I wanted to see line "3"
    of a file named FILENAME.TXT:

       Yo, DOS FIND.EXE,
       |  number each line
       |  |  as you DON'T look for
       |  |  |            this weird string
       |  |  |            |             in this file.
       |  |  |            |             |
       |  |  |            |             |
       |  |  |            |             |    Wait, you're not done;
       |  |  |            |             |    |    now look for this.
    ___| _| _|  __________|  ___________| ___|  __|
    find /n /v "_!@#$%^&*()" FILENAME.TXT|find "[3]"

    If the 3rd line in FILENAME.TXT was:

      We the People of the United States, in order to form a more

    the above command would display:

    [3]  We the People of the United States, in order to form a more

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 428                                          Date: 12 Jun 96  18:02:44
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: MIKE DUTTERA                                 Mark:
  Subj: COMMAND.COM
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
MD> If one works mainly in DOS, then I can see the wisdom of a ram drive
MD> to store frequently used bat files etc., but command.com? Why? isn't
MD> it already in conventional and upper/high memory RAM after boot-up?

    When COMMAND.COM is on a RAMDRIVE and the COMSPEC environment is
    variable pointing to it, it can reload its transient portion much
    quicker than it can from a hard drive.

    COMMAND.COM divides itself into two pieces when it is first loaded
    into memory.  The "resident" part, about 3K or so bytes, sits in the
    lower end of memory above the the other two DOS files (IO.SYS and
    MSDOS.SYS).  The "transient" portion -- the bulk of the program --
    resides up at the very top of user memory.

    The transient part interprets and executes the DOS internal commands
    and does BATch file processing.  These facilities are not needed
    when other programs are running.  By sitting at the top of memory,
    the transient portion does not take up valuable memory space.  It
    can be overwritten by other programs if they need the space.

    When a program exits, it return control to the resident part of
    COMMAND.COM, which performs a simple checksum calculation of the
    memory area normally occupied by the transient portion. This way it
    can tell whether the information loaded in that area of memory is
    indeed its own transient part or whether the transient part was
    overwritten.  If it was overwritten, the resident part looks to the
    COMSPEC environment variable for COMMAND.COM's location and then
    reloads the transient portion of itself back into memory.

    That's why exiting from a large program can cause a disk access when
    COMMAND.COM is reloaded into memory.  Some programs -- like Lotus
    1-2-3 and many compilers -- always use that top memory area, so this
    can happen frequently.

    (Note: 98% of the above was taken from the old original but still
           good "PC Magazine DOS Power Tools, Techniques, Tricks and
           Utilities" by Paul Somerson).

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 434                                          Date: 14 Jun 96  11:26:00
  From: Roy Reed                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Ingrid Dekker                                Mark:
  Subj: every third time
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
*ZV{Ingrid-
   Here is a jobbie that will do the stuff every third time, but
I'm not using numbers to count with, seeing it's only three counts.
Just run this and follow the echoes.  This could easily be expanded,
but maybe you want to use numbers 1, 2 and 3.  I'm not sure.
Oh well, going for the early input.
CYAH.
Roy
------------------------------------------------------------------
::doafter3.bat
@ECHO OFF
IF EXIST C:\FIRSTONE GOTO TWOTOGO
ECHO FIRSTONE>C:\FIRSTONE
ECHO TWO MORE TIMES TO GO BEFORE IT GETS DONE!
GOTO END
:TWOTOGO
IF EXIST C:\SECOND1 GOTO ONETOGO
ECHO SECOND1>C:\SECOND1
ECHO NEXT TIME IT GETS DONE!
GOTO END
:ONETOGO
FOR %%X IN (FIRSTONE SECOND1) DO DEL C:\%%X>NUL
ECHO GOING TO DO THE THINGS NOW
ECHO PUT YOUR STUFF TO DO HERE
:END
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I named it doafter3.bat, but not critical - run the stuff between
the lines.
 ! Origin: The GIFfer BBS, 75+gig, [phone] (1:377/50)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 432                                          Date: 14 Jun 96  06:12:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: DAVID BATTESTELLA                            Mark:
  Subj: Batch command  4 "RETURN"
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DB> In writing  a batch file what command or combination of characters
DB> would I use to emulate/simulate hitting the "RETURN" key?

    You might try something like:

      VER|name_of_program

    or:

      echo.>~tmp
      name_of_program<~.tmp
      del ~tmp

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 18 Jun 96  12:11:17
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Ingrid Dekker                                Mark:
  Subj: EVERY3RD(time).BAT
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    Hello Ingrid,

    Bat just informed me that I messed up again. ;(  The EXAMPLE.BAT I
    recently sent to you executed something 3 times instead of executing
    something every 3rd time.  Sorry for the confusion.  The following
    attempt appears to be working here with nary a hitch.

      @echo off
      :EVERY3RD.BAT ----------------------------------------
       if (%1)==() goto Begin
       if (%1)==(/1) goto Begin
      :Syntax ----------------------------------------------
       cls
       echo.
       echo     Name: EVERY3RD.BAT
       echo.
       echo  Purpose: Run what is under label ":RunIt" only
       echo           every 3rd time this BATch is launched.
       echo.
       echo   Syntax: EVERY3RD [/?][/1]
       echo.
       echo    Where: The /? option displays this brief help
       echo       or: the /1 option resets the count to 1.
       echo.
       echo Requires: DOS's FIND (somewhere in the PATH) and
       echo           20 bytes free environment space.
       echo.
       echo    Notes: This BATch file is self-modifying!
       echo           It keeps track of the number of times
       echo           run at the end of itself.  Hence, all
       echo           4 occurrences of "C:\BAT" below MUST
       echo           be changed to the location where you
       echo           store this BATch file.
       echo.
       echo           Do NOT use the ".BAT" extension when
       echo           launching this BATch file.
       echo.
       goto End
      :Begin -----------------------------------------------
       for %%x in (:) do set ~colons~=%%x%%x!
       if (%1)==(/1) goto Reset
       find /c "%~colons~%" C:\BAT\%0.BAT>~tmp~.bat
       echo set ~tmp~=%%2>--------.bat
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~tmp~.bat
       del --------.bat
-->    if not (%~tmp~%)==(3) goto AddOne
      :RunIt -----------------------------------------------
       echo This is the area where you insert the
       echo sequence of commands you want to run
       echo every 3rd time this BAT is launched.
      :Reset -----------------------------------------------
       type C:\BAT\%0.BAT|find /v "%~colons~%">C:\BAT\%0.BAT
      :AddOne ----------------------------------------------
       echo %~colons~%>>C:\BAT\%0.BAT
      :Cleanup ---------------------------------------------
       for %%x in (colons tmp) do set ~%%x~=
      :End (Data storage begins below) --------------- -vjf-
      ::!

    You can change the number "3" in the line marked with the "-->"
    to whatever number suits your needs.

    EVERY3RD.BAT was designed as self-modifying BATch file simply to
    save room on the hard drive. (No extra files).

    Let me know if this is still not quite what you had in mind.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batpower ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
  Msg#: 82                                           Date: 23 Jun 96  01:12:00
  From: Mike Zeleski                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Andrew Adams                                 Mark:
  Subj: Setcursor
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
AA>Hello!

AA>I need some kind of utilitie that can set my cursor in a specific
AA>row/column  that I can distribute freely with a batch program...

Before I tell you this, I would like it clear that I'm not trying to
make you go duhhh...

However there is an utility that ships with every copy of Dos that can
do this. "ANSI.SYS"

But of course you have to have it loaded for the ansi escape sequence to
work.  A friend of mine used such ansi code in a batch program to
simulate a flag waving in the wind.  So @echo'ed ansi sequences can get
quite elaborate...

In this case I'm going to use * = [Esc] here as I don't know how it
would come through here.

To create the Esc in Dos Edit, hit [ctrl] + P, then hit [Esc], you will
then see the backwards pointing arrow that is the Esc character.  It is
also the standard ASCII letter 27, so some editors may be able to create
it by hitting [alt] + 27...

Examples

echo*[5,10H
echo*[5,10f

 Both should move the cursor to row 5 column 10.

echo*[3A

This should move the Cursor up 3 rows.

echo*[3B

This should move the Cursor down 3 rows.

echo*[8D

This should move the Cursor left 8 spaces.

echo*[s

Saves current cursor location.

echo*[u

Return to saved location.

echo*[2J

Clears screen and moves cursor to the home position. (aka 1,1)
-!-
 * OLXWin 1.00b * I'm Warped, I know, How can you Warp something so twisted?

-!- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
 ! Origin: Father & Son*610-439-1509*Whitehall Pa  (1:2607/112.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 25 Jun 96  23:40:00
  From: David Mohorn                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Brett Todd                                   Mark:
  Subj: Upcasing %1, etc. inputs
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BT>@PID: TerMail 4 EVALUATION
  >@MSGID: 2:251/31.2 cca89588
  >Hi there All,

BT>Could someone please tell me how to upcase a %1 or %2, etc. input to a batch
  >file, so if %1 was "brett", it would be displayed as "BRETT".

How about:

SET OLDPATH=%PATH%
SET PATH=%1
SET NAME=%PATH%
SET PATH=%OLDPATH%
SET OLDPATH=
ECHO Hello, %NAME%


RIME: ->1369 FIDO: (1:275/102) INTERNET: [e-mail]

-!-
 ■ QMPro 1.53 ■ I smoked Marijuana but didn't exhale and still haven't.
 ! Origin:  (1:275/102)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 30 Jun 96  12:21:00
  From: Horst Schaeffer                              Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roy Reed                                     Mark:
  Subj: multiple commands on dir files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=> quoting Roy Reed to Carlos Legaspi (25 Jun 96) <=-

RR> [...]
RR>    Each file in turn gets called as a parameter (%%x becomes %2)
RR> and gets passed to :carlos for processing (called recursion).
RR> --------------------------------------
RR> if "%1"=="carlos" goto carlos
RR> for %%x in (*.*) do call %0 carlos %%x
RR> goto end
RR> :carlos
RR> [commands with %2]
RR> :end
RR> --------------------------------------

How about this one:

    %2 for %%x in (*.*) do call %0 %%x REM
    %2 goto end
    [commands with %1]
    :end

Horst.

... Q4FM 2.10a ... [e-mail]

-!- FM 2.02
 ! Origin: Don't follow leaders! (2:2480/13.75)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 423                                          Date: 29 Jun 96  11:11:30
  From: Horst Ehm                                    Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Andrew Kennedy                               Mark:
  Subj: saving prompt
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Hallo Andrew!

Antwort auf eine Message von Andrew Kennedy an All:

 AK> CAn someone show me how I can save my prompt setting in a variable so
 AK> I can restore it later after it has been changed. Thanks

Your settings are already saved in the e-var PROMPT.
You can write the contents of PROMPT to another e-var and vice versa as shown
below.

  @set old_prmt=%prompt%
  @prompt DOS   = $v$_Time  = $t
  @echo off
  prompt %old_prmt%
  set old_prmt=


Horst

-!-
 ! Origin: Multitasking  ->  Auf dem Klo lesen ! (2:241/225)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 430                                          Date: 08 Jul 96  13:02:36
  From: Andy Guess                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Mike Stewart                                 Mark:
  Subj: Dates
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 MS> Im wondering how to go about having a batch file that will
 MS> change the computer's date to a specified date(by me), before
 MS> running a program, and then changing it back to the origional date
 MS> upon exiting the program.

Save this as DATEBACK.BAT.

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+==+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
@echo off
ver|date>date!!!!.bat
echo set date=%%4>current.bat
call date!!!!
date %1
rem Your program here
date %date%
set date=
for %%f in (date!!!! current) do del %%f.bat
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+==+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Edit the file so it runs whatever program you like (line 6). If you type

DATEBACK 1-1-99

then the date will be set to 1-1-99, then the program will be run, then the
date will be restored. You'll lose a few seconds while the program runs, of
course. If run without any parameters, it will prompt you for a date.

Hope this works for you.

{Write Back!} [/^\ndy Guess]
.!. Shut up, Spock!  We're rescuing you!  --McCoy
-!- Terminate 4.00
 ! Origin: -AG {[e-mail]} (1:109/570.15)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 10 Jul 96  15:06:32
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Roland Ribi                                  Mark:
  Subj: Put the date in a textfile
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> Does anyone know how I can put the actual date with a type command
RR> or however into a Text file? Thanks for the information!

      @echo off
      :GETDATE.BAT
      :Puts the current system date
      :in a file named GETDATE.DAT.
       ver|date>~.bat
       echo set date=%%4>current.bat
       for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~.bat
       del current.bat
       echo %date%
       echo %date%>GETDATE.DAT
       set date=
      :End

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 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 450             Local                        Date: 16 Jul 96  13:56:05
  From: Bat Lang                                     Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Batch Book
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
From time to time we get asked to recommend a good book on batch files.
For that reason it is a topic covered in our BAT-FAQ1.ZIP, recently
hatched into the BFDS FDN, and avail at our BFDS sites and FTP site (see
'Echo rules', elsewhere in this pkt).  That topic in the FAQ looks like:


                          THE BATPOWER FAQ,
                    or Frequently Asked Questions

|     ***              Last revision: 28 Jun 96              ***

                [... text deleted for brevity ...]


26.                 BATCH PROGRAMMING BOOKS
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  While the following books have been recommended by various echo
  users, any choice should always be based on your personal
  examination of the book, to ensure that it meets your needs.

   DOS Power Tools                         by  Paul Somerson

   Supercharging MS-DOS                    by  Van Wolverton

   MS-DOS Batch File Programming           by  Ronny Richardson

   Advanced MS-DOS Batch File Programming  by  Dan Gookin

   Concise Guide to MS-DOS Batch Files     by  Kris Jamsa
---------------< cut here >-

The first four are 'original inhabitants' in the FAQ and, no matter what
else their merits, they are dated.  Which brings me to the last one,
added by me after a recommendation here by Greg Miskelly, our Irish
bard (author of GMUTILS3.ZIP {BFDS} which contains PSIS, a dandy batch
enhancer).  At the time, I snipped his msg to a note file, as:

> As far as books are concerned, the best book I have encountered for
> starting off with is:
>
>    Concise Guide to MS-DOS Batch Files
>       by Kris Jamsa
>    Microsoft Press
>       for   Beginning, Intermediate and Reference
>    ISBN 1-55615-638-3
>    USA $12.95
>
> It's good points are:
>
>    It's affordable.
>    It does _not_ have a diskette full of already prepared batch
>       files whereby you don't learn anything.
>    It is really very well put together.
>    The author is a DOS _expert_; I have other books by him that
---------------< cut here >-

Ever since he posted these words (27 Aug 95) I have tried to find a cy
of this book.  In April I intensified the search, special ordering it
from two specialty book stores.  I never heard back from either of them,
after several followups.  I finally FAXed the publisher, and got back a
form letter with an 800 number?  This only led to a referral to the
publishers 800 #.  To make a long story short (finally), after about ten
more phone calls, I located a single cy in our local Software ETC. which
handles mostly software, some hardware and books.

Now that I have had a chance to look it over, I can add an enthusiastic
endorsement to what Greg had to say above.  The publisher indicates it
went out of print about the time of Greg's posting, last summer.  The
reason that I am telling you all of this is that you will need to strike
while the iron is not stone cold, if you are to find a cy.  The
International distribution is listed as:

In Canada, by Macmillan of Canada
In USA by, the publisher, Microsoft Press
In the rest of the world, by Penguin Books Ltd.
  Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England
  Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia
  Penguin Books N.Z. Ltd, 182-190 Wairau Road, Auckland 10, N.Z.

Newbies to batch, in particular, are recommended to seek out a cy.

BTW, it covers MS-DOS versions as recent as 6.2, and is (C)1994.
Good Modeming!  /\oo/\

... NetMail: 1:382/1201 or E-mail: [e-mail]
-!- Blue Wave/Max v2.30
 ! Origin: The HUB * Austin TX * Centex PCUG * 512-346-1852 (1:382/1201)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 15 Jul 96  05:28:01
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Russ Army                                    Mark:
  Subj: %'s
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RA> WHen I was ritin dirzip thingy I had a question.
RA> I know  %1 is the first werd after the command
RA>         %2 is the second
RA>         etc etc
RA> Is      %f stand for file
RA>         %w ???
RA>         others?
RA> I would be helped greatly if I could know this

    In the following for-in-do command:

      for %x in (Russ Army) do echo %x

    the "%x" is simply the name of a variable.  The "x" in "%x" can be
    durn near any character you want.  If you type "HELP FOR" (not the
    quotes) and look under <Notes>, Microsoft states "To avoid confusion
    with the batch parameters %0 through %9, you can use any character
    for variable except the numerals 0 through 9."       ~~~

    That's almost right.  There are 8 characters that will not work:

      Decimal Character
      ------- ---------
         37       %
         44       ,
         47       /
         59       ;
         60       <
         61       =
         62       >
        124       |

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
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 ! Origin: Terminate point system (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 441                                          Date: 19 Jul 96  09:47:00
  From: Benjamin Ng                                  Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Andrew Adams                                 Mark:
  Subj: Commenting ZIP files....
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Greetings Andrew!

07-17-96 (22:48), Andrew Adams wrote to All about Commenting ZIP files....:

 AA> Does anyone know how I can make  a batch file to add comments
 AA> to ALL the zip files in 1 directory???????

Try this 1-liner:

@for %%x in (.\*.ZIP) do pkzip.exe -z %%x < zcomment.txt

It will use the current directory unless you substitute with your
own path (yourpath\*.ZIP).  Use a full pathname for the zcomment.txt
file if applicable.

Regards,
Ben.

-!- Maximus 2.02
 ! Origin: EXCESS - CALGARY ALBERTA CANADA [phone] (1:134/17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 24 Jun 96  03:12:10
  From: GARY SMITH                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: ROY REED                                     Mark:
  Subj: for-in-do goto
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RR> This was in the batpwr01.zip.  Can anybody do some splainin
  > why it doesn't (?apparently?) got to labels 1 and 2?
  > --------------------------------------
  > @echo off
  > for %%n in (1 2 3) do goto %%n
  > echo Fell through!
  > goto end
  > :1
  > echo Hit label 1
  > goto end
  > :2
  > echo Hit label 2
  > goto end
  > :3
  > echo Hit label 3
  > : end

The combination of FOR/IN/DO with GOTO is extremely peculiar.
When COMMAND.COM executes a GOTO, it stores the label, opens the
batch file, and reads lines from the beginning until it locates
the label or exhausts the file.  It has only one place to store
the target label, and thus will remember only the last label it
saw.  When you combine a FOR with an unconditional GOTO, the
transfer will always be to the last label.  When the the GOTO is
conditional, the transfer will be to the last label for which
the condition is true.
-!-
 ■ OLX 1.53 ■ All we are saying is, "Give pizza chants."
 ! Origin: The Inner Circle, Pickerington, Oh [phone] (1:226/110)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 24 Jun 96  03:12:10
  From: GARY SMITH                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: MARC GRIFFIN                                 Mark:
  Subj: full delete...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
MG>  WS> find to associate with it. Hence, using Norton Unerase (or was it
  >  WS> Undelete) with the Manual option on, it only takes a minute to recover
  >  WS> a file which has been deleted, then recreated and deleted again. I
  >  WS> think this kind of explains my reasons for posting. Besides, anyone
  >  WS> else reading this who didn't already know, is now aware of how to eras
  >  WS> and over- write a file from Batch :-)
  > I've only just joined this area... Wouldn't it be okay to just copy a file
  > OVER the file you are trying to delete?

Not if you use the COPY command.  COMMAND.COM's COPY function
does not overwrite the clusters which currently belong to the
file.  The data is written into newly-allocated clusters and the
old ones are freed.  Since recent versions of DOS postpone the
re-allocation of freed clusters as long as possible, the original
data will most likely hang around for quite a while.  I've just
tested this under DOS 6.22 and was able to recover the original
data in a few seconds with Norton DiskEdit (version 4.5, I think).
Vernon's QBASIC solution ought to work, though, since it must
necessarily write to the original clusters.
-!-
 ■ OLX 1.53 ■ IneedsignificantlymoreroominthislineforwhatI*really*want.
 ! Origin: The Inner Circle, Pickerington, Oh [phone] (1:226/110)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 442                                          Date: 24 Jul 96  17:21:00
  From: Mike Zeleski                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Dave Fleming                                 Mark:
  Subj: Compiled .BAT?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DF>Gidday again,

DF>  I heard somewhere that there is such a thing as BAT2COM or BAT2EXE or
DF>something that will convert a batch file into an executable program.  Is
DF>this even within the realm of reality?

There were several "Batch Compilers" that were written over the years.

DF>  I assume it could be done, but the compiler would have to do a LOT of
DF>searching to include programs that are elsewhere on the disk! <g>

Nope; it just has to shell into the external program like any other
programing language can. Just don't move that program out of the path or
you may "break" your compiled code...

DF>I also assume someone is pulling my leg, how efficient could something
DF>like this be?

Actually if the program was optimized to allow Nulls and Redirection to
remain in memory, and optimize many of BFP's slower instructions, the
compiled version often can be remarkably faster with large Bats...

Look for a book Titled Builder Lite; Developing Dynamic Batch Files.
(With Program Disk.) By Ronny Richardson, Windcrest/McGraw-Hill, 1993.
Summary: Programming Language Reference with Editor and Compiler.

(May be out of print now, but you may be able to find it second hand.)

Builder & Builder Lite should be available from:

Hyperkinetix, Inc.
18001 Irvine Blvd, Suite H
Tustin, CA 92680
-!-
 * OLXWin 1.00b * Espresso: An Ultra Efficient caffeine delivery system.

-!- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12
 ! Origin: Father & Son*610-439-1509*Whitehall Pa  (1:2607/112.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 388                                          Date: 25 Jul 96  16:28:58
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Cameron Clark                                Mark:
  Subj: directories & loops[q]
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      25-Jul-1996 16:28
    Hello Cameron,

    On 21-Jul-96 at 17:47:26, "All" and "Cameron Clark" were discussing
    "directories & loops[q]":

CC> Is there any way to loop thru the directory names as well as file
CC> names? I notice that on the following scenerio that directories are
CC> exempt from the listing: [assume there are several directories named
CC> folder??]
CC>   for %%c in (folder??.*) do (some list of instructions)
CC> It there a way to iterate thru directories? Also, is it possible to
CC> have the loop iterate executing a list of instuctions each time?

    Place the following SWEEP.BAT in a directory that is in your PATH:

      @echo off
      :SWEEP.BAT - Original from PC Computing
       if not (%1)==() goto Begin
      :Syntax -----------------------------------------------------
       echo    Name: SWEEP.BAT
       echo Purpose: Execute specified command in every directory
       echo  Syntax: SWEEP command [parameters]
       goto End
      :Begin ------------------------------------------------------
       if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
       set SWEEP=%1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
       cls
       echo Creating a list of all directories on current drive ...
       echo @prompt set CurrentDIR=$p>tmptmp.bat
       command /e:2048 /c tmptmp.bat>director.bat
       del tmptmp.bat | call director.bat
       echo @echo off>director.bat
       echo prompt $g$h>>director.bat
       echo cd %%1>>director.bat
       echo %%SWEEP%%>>director.bat
       echo cd %%CurrentDIR%%>>director.bat
       chkdsk/v|find "Directory"|find "%CurrentDIR%">tmptmp.lst
       echo exit>>tmptmp.lst
       command<tmptmp.lst
       echo Processing complete.
      :Cleanup ----------------------------------------------------
       for %%x in (tmptmp.lst director.bat) do if exist %%x del %%x
       for %%x in (CurrentDIR SWEEP) do set %%x=
      :End --------------------------------------------------------

    To give you an example of what it can do, the following command will
    delete all "*.BAK" files in every directory on drive C:.

      sweep del *.bak

    Note: Since SWEEP.BAT starts with your current directory and then
          proceeds through every subdirectory under it, to get it to go
          through every subdirectory on drive C:, the above command
          would have to be issued from the root directory of drive C:.

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
 -- Main BossNode: SOX! BBS * [phone] * Hialeah FL USA * 1:135/71
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Vern's Point * Hollywood Lakes, Florida * USA * (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447             Rec'd                        Date: 30 Jul 96  17:08:00
  From: Jim Talbot                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Kent Anderson                                Mark:
  Subj: directories & loops[q]
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

KA>SWEEP.COM, by Charles Petzold, is also in PC Mag utilities, volume 1.
KA>I use it from time to time to move all archived files into one
KA>directory, to delete BAK and TMP files, etc. A very handy utility to
KA>have, even though it dates back to 1986.

Another use for that handy little SWEEP.COM is in conjunction with
Undelete. I wrote a simple little bat to call up SWEEP AND UNDELETE. The
command SWPUNDEL now causes UNDELETE to scan each dir and subdir in
turn. This can be handy if you accidentally delete something and it
doesn't show up in the undelete list of the directory  from which you
think it disappeared. This has saved my bacon.exe a few times. It is
simply amazing how those deleted files manage to hide in the most
unlikely places.


 * SLMR 2.1a * Coles' Law: Thinly Sliced Cabbage.

-!- TriToss (tm) Professional 10.0 - #225
 ! Origin: The OutDoor Experience 902-461-4713 (1:251/32.0)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 442                                          Date: 08 Aug 96  08:15:08
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Rob Oosten                                   Mark:
  Subj: Fc or comp return errorlevels?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                       8-Aug-1996 08:15
    Hello Rob,

    On 23-Jul-96 at 16:17:03, "Vernon Frazee" and "Rob Oosten" were
    discussing "Fc or comp return errorlevels?":

AK> Does either fc or comp return errorlevels, and if so what are they
AK> for files which do NOT match.

VF> Unfortunately no, not in any of the MS-DOS versions just tried here.

RO> But there's a way around it, at least for FC. FIND does have
RO> errorlevels!
RO>   @echo off
RO>   del differ
RO>   fc %1 %2>>differ
RO>   type differ|find "*****"
RO>   echo.
RO>   if errorlevel 2 echo    Something went wrong!!
RO>   if errorlevel 1 if not errorlevel 2 echo     No differences found!!
RO>   if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 beep
RO>   echo.
RO> When FC finds differences these are output with ***** lines
RO> alternating between defining the start (with filename) and the end
RO> of a difference section.
RO> When no differences are found the ***** lines will not be written.
RO> FIND will throw up when differences are found between executable
RO> files because of the lo-ASCII characters. But you only need to find
RO> the first ***** line, isn't it?!

    Here's another approach that doesn't depend on errorlevels at all:

      @echo off
      :COMPARE.BAT - Compare two specified files
       if (%2)==() goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
       if not exist %1 goto File1err
       if not exist %2 goto File2err
      :Begin
       fc %1 %2|find "FC: no differences encountered">~.tmp
       copy ~.tmp+,,>nul
       if exist ~.tmp goto NoDifferences
       echo Files "%1" and "%2" are different
       goto End
      :NoDifferences
       echo Files "%1" and "%2" are the same
       goto End
      :File1err
       echo Couldn't locate file %1
       goto End
      :File2err
       echo Couldn't locate file %2
       goto End
      :Syntax
       echo COMPARE [d:][\path]filename.[ext] [d:][\path]filename.[ext]
      :End

RO> I don't know COMP but probably one could do something similar.

    Yep.  Here's a variation on the above that uses COMP instead of FC:

      @echo off
      :COMPARE.BAT - Compare two specified files
       if (%2)==() goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
       if not exist %1 goto File1err
       if not exist %2 goto File2err
      :Begin
       ctty nul
       echo n|comp %1 %2|find "Files compare OK">~.tmp
       ctty con
       copy ~.tmp+,,>nul
       if exist ~.tmp goto NoDifferences
       echo Files "%1" and "%2" are different
       echo.
       goto End
      :NoDifferences
       echo Files "%1" and "%2" are the same
       echo.
       goto End
      :File1err
       echo Couldn't locate file %1
       goto End
      :File2err
       echo Couldn't locate file %2
       goto End
      :Syntax
       echo COMPARE [d:][\path]filename.[ext] [d:][\path]filename.[ext]
      :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
 -- Main BossNode: SOX! BBS * [phone] * Hialeah FL USA * 1:135/71
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Vern's Point * Hollywood Lakes, Florida * USA * (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 444                                          Date: 12 Aug 96  17:57:00
  From: Rob Oosten                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Richard Moore                                Mark:
  Subj: Choice
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Richard,

      on: 03 August 1996 at 19:57
      you wrote
      to: All

 RM> Hi,
 RM>    I was wondering how I could make a simple batch
 RM> file(s) like a menu kind of thing useing dos's
 RM> choice.com??

Like this:


==================================================
==    ========== Begin quote menu.bat ==========

@echo off
:START
cls
echo.
echo.
echo   What is it you want to do?
echo.
echo      A Nothing
echo      B Something
echo      C WordPerfect 5.1 DOS
echo      D WfW 3.11
echo      E Aldus PageMaker
echo      F Corel Draw
echo      G Word for Windows 6.0
echo      H FD/GoldED
echo      I Cookery Book
echo      J Count my batches
echo      K . . .
echo      L . . .
echo      M . . .
echo      N . . .
echo.
echo      Q Quit to DOS
echo.
say   Hit the key of your choice . . . .
choice /c:ABCDEFGHIJKLMNQ /n
echo.
if errorlevel 15 if not errorlevel 16 goto END
if errorlevel 14 if not errorlevel 15 echo . . .
if errorlevel 13 if not errorlevel 14 echo . . .
if errorlevel 12 if not errorlevel 13 echo . . .
if errorlevel 11 if not errorlevel 12 echo . . .
if errorlevel 10 if not errorlevel 11 call countum
if errorlevel 9 if not errorlevel 10 call cookum
if errorlevel 8 if not errorlevel 9 call fd
if errorlevel 7 if not errorlevel 8 call winword
if errorlevel 6 if not errorlevel 7 call wincorel
if errorlevel 5 if not errorlevel 6 call winaldus
if errorlevel 4 if not errorlevel 5 call win
if errorlevel 3 if not errorlevel 4 call wp
if errorlevel 2 if not errorlevel 3 echo My choice? . . .
if errorlevel 1 if not errorlevel 2 echo It's your choice . . .
goto START
:END

==    ========== End quote menu.bat ==========
==================================================


Just make sure this file is in your path. Also the other batches to start the
applications have to be in your path.

Make sure these applications/batches all end with errorlevel 0 and you'll
always return to the menu screen.

Cheerio,

Rob


-!- GED 2.50+/GEcho 1.11+/FD
 ! Origin: Point Suameer via ProgTel Drachten / Netherlands (2:500/100.6047)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 13 Aug 96  14:46:06
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Mike Hill                                    Mark:
  Subj: CHANGE Program
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      13-Aug-1996 14:46
    Hello Mike,

    On 10-Aug-96 at 14:54:00, "Roy Reed" and "Mike Hill" were discussing
    "CHANGE Program":

MH> I now need to find a way to add a <012> character to the end of each
MH> file (page feed character). Can you suggest something which will do
MH> this?

    Here's one way to do it.  First you need a one-byte file containing
    nothing but the FormFeed character (ASCII 12 / [Ctrl-L]). (I say
    "nothing but" here because you probably do NOT want the addiional
    carriage-return line-feed characters that would be right after the
    FormFeed character if you used an editor or the DOS echo command).

    Change to the directory containing your files and type: COPY CON FF
    The cursor will drop down a line and be waiting for you to type in
    something.  Press [Ctrl-L], [Ctrl-Z], then [Enter] and DOS will
    respond with "1 file(s) copied".  Here, it'll look like this:

      G:\>copy con ff
      ^L^Z
              1 file(s) copied

    Now you can use the COPY command to append the contents of your new
    FF file to the end of each of your files with a for-in-do command:

      for %x in (AEW01*.ASC) do copy %x+ff

MH> Once this is done, then I need to copy all files (395 of them total)
MH> and add them into one big file. The following command will do that,
MH> but I am open to suggestions on better ways:
MH>
MH>   FOR %a in (AEW01*.ASC) do TYPE %a >>BOOK

    That'll do it, assuming all of the files are in the correct order
    of course.  If they're not, you'd either have to get them sorted
    correctly first or use something like:

      copy book+awew0101.asc+awew0102.asc+awew0103.asc+awew0104.asc
      copy book+awew0105.asc+awew0106.asc+awew0107.asc+awew0108.asc
      ...
      copy book+awew0392.asc+awew0393.asc+awew0394.asc+awew0395.asc

    (a major pain!) or maybe something like:

      @echo off
      :MAKEBOOK.BAT ------------------------------------------
      :Open a 0-byte file named BOOK
       rem>book
      :Initialize COUNT variable
       set COUNT=0
      :Initialize temporary count file
       rem>temptemp.dat
      :OnesLoop ----------------------------------------------
      :Increment the count by 1
       echo !>>temptemp.dat
       find "!" /c temptemp.dat>temptemp.bat
       echo set COUNT=%%2>--------.bat
       call temptemp.bat
      :Does the require file exist?
       if not exist awew000%COUNT%.asc goto Err
      :Display what's happening
       echo COPYing BOOK+AWEW000%COUNT%.ASC ...
      :Append file BOOK
       copy book+awew000%count%.asc>nul
       if not (%COUNT%)==(10) goto OnesLoop
      :TensLoop ----------------------------------------------
      :Increment the count by 1
       echo !>>temptemp.dat
       find "!" /c temptemp.dat>temptemp.bat
       echo set COUNT=%%2>--------.bat
       call temptemp.bat
      :Does the require file exist?
       if not exist awew000%COUNT%.asc goto Err
      :Display what's happening
       echo COPYing BOOK+AWEW00%COUNT%.ASC ...
      :Append file BOOK
       copy book+awew00%count%.asc>nul
       if not (%COUNT%)==(100) goto TensLoop
      :HundredsLoop ------------------------------------------
      :Increment the count by 1
       echo !>>temptemp.dat
       find "!" /c temptemp.dat>temptemp.bat
       echo set COUNT=%%2>--------.bat
       call temptemp.bat
      :Does the require file exist?
       if not exist awew000%COUNT%.asc goto Err
      :Display what's happening
       echo COPYing BOOK+AWEW0%COUNT%.ASC ...
      :Append file BOOK
       copy book+awew0%count%.asc>nul
       if not (%COUNT%)==(396) goto HundredsLoop
       goto Cleanup
      :Err ---------------------------------------------------
       echo The next required AWEW file (#%COUNT%) is missing!
      :Cleanup -----------------------------------------------
       set COUNT=
       for %%x in (bat dat) do del temptemp.%%x
       del --------.bat
      :End ---------------------------------------------------

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
 -- Main BossNode: SOX! BBS * [phone] * Hialeah FL USA * 1:135/71
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Vern's Point * Hollywood Lakes, Florida * USA * (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 13 Aug 96  15:47:03
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Steve Rischke                                Mark:
  Subj: Ver command
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      13-Aug-1996 15:47
    Hello Steve,

    On 11-Aug-96 at 00:53:00, "All" and "Steve Rischke" were discussing
    "Ver command":

SR> I am looking for a command thet will check the version of the
SR> opperating system & then process a command based upon what it finds.
SR> I am running dos & OS/2.  I want something to check when in a dos
SR> window from OS/2 to see if it's the cerrent system run this command
SR> as well as the ability to check if it's the dos system.  This being
SR> accomplished in seperate lines is great.
SR>
SR> eg.  if ver = msdos 6.20 then lh cdrom.com
SR>      if ver = OS/2 3.0  then lh cdrom2.com

    You might try something like this:

      @echo off
      :Are we running MS-DOS?
       ver|find "MS-DOS Version 6.22"
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 goto MSDOS
      :Must be running OS/2
       lh cdrom2.com
       goto End
      :MSDOS
       lh cdrom.com
      :End

 -- NetMail: 1:135/71.17    E-Mail: [e-mail]     -vjf-
 -- Main BossNode: SOX! BBS * [phone] * Hialeah FL USA * 1:135/71
-!- Terminate 4.00/Pro
 ! Origin: Vern's Point * Hollywood Lakes, Florida * USA * (1:135/71.17)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 441                                          Date: 21 Aug 96  20:00:23
  From: Gerry Ellison                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Wayne Allen                                  Mark:
  Subj: Date files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WA>        does anyone know how I insert a date into a filename in a
WA> batch file. the idea is to save a log file each night automatically
WA> so at the end of say a week I have 7 seperate files... do'nt have to
WA> be dated although it would be nice numbers would also do i.e Jan 1st
WA> is LG001.txt and Christmas day is LG365.txt......

              ------------------- <TMT> --------------------
Hello Wayne!
      Try this with ARJ.  run as often as you want.

      save.bat
      ARJ m BB -h# Max01.log Bink_01.log -jm
      ARJ m -v1440r50K #96logs BB??????.ARJ

      Makes #96LOGS .ARJ
      that contains
      BB960630 ARJ
      which contains
      MAX01.LOG
      BINK_01.LOG

Regards,  Gerry
-!- timEd 1.10+
 ! Origin: The Mountain Top Genealogy BBS *OH* 513-921-5568 V34+ (1:108/107)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 434                                          Date: 21 Aug 96  22:52:20
  From: Larry Nelson                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: Comx.bat
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
         ALL:

      Use #1 for the script produced by Vernons COM2BAT.BAT

 :: COMX.BAT/DOS 6.20
 :: Repository and database for .com utilities.
 @echo off
 cls
      if not %1! == ! goto %1
   echo.
   echo     Welcome to COMX, the Store House for all those little
   echo     Batch utilities that are cluttering your \utl directory
   echo     and taking up disk space with less that cluster size
   echo     files.
   echo.
   echo     Input a utility name from the list below and COMX
   echo     will crank out a .com program for you, of the same name.
   echo     If you already know which utility you need COMX.BAT
   echo     may be called from the command line with a parameter
   echo     equal to the name of your choice. Name only, no .ext.
   echo.
   echo     Please make sure that Debug, Qbasic, Find and Mode are
   echo     in path, and you have at least 50 bytes of DOS
   echo     Environment space. Ctrl/c now or....
   echo     When prompted for input. Input  x  to exit COMX.BAT
   echo     .....If you need to check on these requirements.
   echo.
   echo     Calling Comx with a parameter of "utls", less quots,
   echo     will bring to the screen a bare list of names. Bypassing
   echo     this screen and the more discriptive list of utilities.
   echo.
         pause

 :: Discriptive list of .coms starts here.

   echo.
   echo  BORDER:
   echo     Border.com sets border color from the command line
   echo     or can be called from a Batch file.
   echo.
   echo     SYNTAX = border n
   echo            Where n = 0 = Black
   echo                      1 = Blue
   echo                      2 = Green
   echo                      3 = Cyan
   echo                      4 = Red
   echo                      5 = Magenta
   echo                      6 = Brown
   echo                      7 = White
   echo                      8 = Grey
   echo                      9 = Bright blue
   echo                      a = Bright green
   echo                      b = Bright cyan
   echo                      c = Bright red
   echo                      d = Bright magenta
   echo                      e = Yellow
   echo                      f = Bright white
   echo.
   echo.

 :: This demo holds only one stored utility. In theroy it could
 :: hold as many as you might care to install.

   echo     Please input your choice by name only, no .ext.....
      fc con nul/lb1/n|date|find " 1: ">ente2.bat
   echo set npt=%%5>enter.bat
   call ente2
      for %%q in (!x !) do if %npt%! == %%q goto cleanup
   %0 %npt%
 :border
      if not %1! == ! set npt=%1
   echo Creating %npt%.COM ...
   echo n%npt%.com>%npt%.scr
   echo e0100 BE 80 00 8B 0C 32 ED E3 31 FE C9 46 46 8A 1C 80>>%npt%.scr
   echo e0110 FB 30 72 1B 80 FB 39 76 10 80 E3 DF 80 FB 41 72>>%npt%.scr
   echo e0120 0E 80 FB 46 77 09 80 EB 07 80 EB 30 EB 06 90 E2>>%npt%.scr
   echo e0130 DB EB 07 90 B4 0B 32 FF CD 10 CD 20 28 63 29 20>>%npt%.scr
   echo e0140 31 39 38 38 20 5A 69 66 66 20 43 6F 6D 6D 75 6E>>%npt%.scr
   echo e0150 69 63 61 74 69 6F 6E 73 20 43 6F 2E>>%npt%.scr
   echo rcx>>%npt%.scr
   echo 5C>>%npt%.scr
   echo w>>%npt%.scr
   echo q>>%npt%.scr
      debug<%npt%.scr>nul
      del %npt%.scr
      dir %npt%.COM
   goto cleanup
 :utls
   echo Border
 :cleanup
      if exist ente?.bat del ente?.bat
      set npt=
 :L8r

      I keep Comx.bat in \utl (in path) and when I run it the
      resulting utility shows up in the current directory.
 :L8r
                 Larry
            ..... In a pinch a stone ax still works.....


-!- Maximus 2.02
 ! Origin: MSDOS MAXIMUS BBS (1:343/101)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 441                                          Date: 24 Aug 96  01:35:00
  From: Irv Luckom                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jon Jaeschke                                 Mark:
  Subj: In Need Of Assistance...
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
JJ> FF> Just so I understand you, you want to copy everthing in the
JJ> FF> \AMIPRO\DATA directory onto floppies, and there is more than 1.4mb of
JJ> FF> files in the DATA directory, so you need to change floppies during the
JJ> FF> copy, and you want a batch file to automate the process?

If you have a copy of PKZIP what you want to do can be done in one
simple step. (If you don't have a copy virtually every BBS I have been
on has it in its files section.)

The command is:

        pkzip -ex -rp -&f [[d:]zipfile name you select] [directory name]

If you want to use this with different zipfile and directory names you
could create the following 2 line batch file and name it back.bat:

@echo off
pkzip -ex -rp -&f %1 %2


You would call this batch file with the command:

        back [[d:]zipfile name you select] [directory name]

For example: back a:prozip \amipro\data

The pkzip command will format your backup disks, preserve your
directory structure, ask you for another disk when it fills the first
one, and put a directory of all the files backed up on the last disk
used.

To reverse this and reload the backed up files to their original
directories if the backup files are later dates than the files now in
those directories, the command is:

pkunzip -d -n a:prozip

If you want everything you have backed up, delete the -n in the previous
line.
___
 X SLMR 2.1a X

-!- Maximus 3.01
 ! Origin: Eye Of The Storm * West Palm Beach, FL (1:3609/67)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 443                                          Date: 02 Sep 96  08:38:37
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Bill Casey                                   Mark:
  Subj: Removing ">" sign from text files
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BC> Greetings from Birmingham England.

    Kewl!  Aren't ya'll the ones that frequently use the word "bloody"
    as an adverb?  8-)

BC> ... is it possible to write a batch file that would remove the ">"
BC> sign from the beginning of each line in a text file? ...

    Here's an example of one way to do it:

      @echo off
      :STRIP62.BAT - Strip greater-than symbol (ASCII 62) from the
      :              beginning of each line in the specified file.
       if (%1)==() goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
       if not exist %1 goto FileErr
       goto Initialize
      :Syntax -------------------------------------------------------
       echo    Name: STRIP62.BAT
       echo Purpose: Strip greater-than symbol (ASCII 62) from the
       echo          beginning of each line in the specified file.
       echo  Syntax: %0 [d:][\path\]filename.ext
       echo    Note: Requires QBASIC and FIND (somewhere in PATH) and
       echo          enough free space in the environment to hold the
       echo          length of your filename + 16 characters.
       goto End
      :Initialize variables -----------------------------------------
       cls
       for %%x in (DIR FN FE) do set ~%%x=
      :Parse specified filename -------------------------------------
       echo Parsing filename "%1" ...
       :Put Directory name in evar ~DIR
        dir %1.|find "Directory">~.bat
        echo set ~DIR=%%2>director.bat
        for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~.bat
        del director.bat
       :Append "\" to ~DIR?
        if exist %~DIR%\nul set ~DIR=%~DIR%\
       :Put filename in evar ~FN and file extension in evar ~FE
        dir %1.|find /v "e"|find ":">~.bat
        echo.>>~.bat
        date<~.bat |find "Enter">~.bat
        rem ------^------ This space must be here
        echo set ~FN=%%4>enter.bat
        echo if exist %%~DIR%%%%4.%%5 set ~FE=%%5>>enter.bat
        for %%x in (call del) do %%x ~.bat
        del enter.bat
      :Create backup copy of original -------------------------------
       echo Creating backup of "%1" named "%~DIR%%~FN%.BAK" ...
       copy %1 %~DIR%%~FN%.BAK>nul
      :Build QBASIC program using specified filename ----------------
       echo Creating QBASIC program ...
       echo open "%~DIR%%~FN%.BAK" for input as #1>~.bas
       echo open "%~DIR%%~FN%.%~FE%" for output as #2>>~.bas
       echo Count=0>>~.bas
       echo do until eof(1)>>~.bas
       echo   line input #1,rec$>>~.bas
       echo   Count=Count+1:locate ,1:print "Line#:"; Count;>>~.bas
       echo   if not left$(rec$,1)=chr$(62) then>>~.bas
       echo     print #2,rec$>>~.bas
       echo   else>>~.bas
       echo     print #2,mid$(rec$,2,len(rec$))>>~.bas
       echo   end if>>~.bas
       echo loop:print:close:system>>~.bas
      :DoIt ---------------------------------------------------------
       echo Stripping leading greater-than symbols
       echo from each line in file "%~DIR%%~FN%.%~FE%" ...
       qbasic /run ~.bas
       del ~.bas
      :Done ---------------------------------------------------------
       echo.
       echo Original file:
       echo.
       dir %~DIR%%~FN%.BAK|find ":"
       echo.
       echo Stripped file:
       echo.
       dir %~DIR%%~FN%.%~FE%|find ":"
       echo.
       for %%x in (DIR FN FE) do set ~%%x=
       echo Processing complete.
       echo.
       goto End
      :FileErr ------------------------------------------------------
       echo Error: Could not locate file "%1"
       goto Syntax
      :End ----------------------------------------------------------

BC> PS: I hope your back is getting better.

    Thanks; getting a little better every day.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 435                                          Date: 03 Sep 96  20:17:06
  From: Andy Guess                                   Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Simon Stone                                  Mark:
  Subj: Thanx
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 SS> Thanks to all of you that helped with my problem with the TYPE
 SS> command, there's just one thing left, |MORE dosn't work on the end
 SS> of the command..

 SS> === Cut ===[ t.bat ]===
 SS> FOR %%A IN (*.MSG) DO TYPE %%A |MORE
 SS> === Cut ===

 SS> Why ??

You can't reliably use redirection symbols with FOR. I would try this
instead, which uses two batch files.

+=+=+=+=+ T.BAT +=+=+=+=+
@for %%a in (*.msg) do call aux.bat %%a
+=+=+=+=+ T.BAT +=+=+=+=+

+=+=+=+=+ AUX.BAT +=+=+=+=+
@more<%1
+=+=+=+=+ AUX.BAT +=+=+=+=+

Just type "T" to start it. Hope this helps!

{Write Back!} [/^\ndy Guess]
.!. We've secretly replaced the dilithium with new Folgers crystals
-!- Terminate 4.00
 ! Origin: -AG {[e-mail]} (1:109/570.15)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 05 Sep 96  08:17:57
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Stefan Mensink                               Mark:
  Subj: Nul
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                       5-Sep-1996 08:17
    Hello Stefan,

    On 29-Aug-96 at 17:24:14, "Russell Albee" and "Stefan Mensink" were
    discussing "Nul":

RA> Is there anyway to use the nul to put a file to so that it cannot be
RA> recovered?

SM> ah.. you mean that you want to erase a file from your harddisk and
SM> it should not be recovered again? maybe you should try this
SM>   del myfile.ext
SM>   echo ehe can't get it back huh? >myfile.ext
SM> this means that part of the file should be directly overwritten so
SM> that undelete cannot restore it.. though more active protections
SM> might be able to restore it anyway or at least parts of it..

    With a sector editor, more than likely every bit of it.

SM> what could also do is just delete the file and then start defrag or
SM> whatever defragmentation program and erase all free space ..

    That'd probably do it.  What I usually recommend is simply copying a
    larger file over the one to be obliterated and then delete it. Since
    the copy overwrote whatever was in the file you now have don't have
    to worry about anyone retrieving it.

    For example, here's a DIR listing of the original file to be erased:

      Directory of G:\IRS\VJF\95
      TAXCHEAT.95         91,022 04-15-96  11:55p

    And a DIR listing of the file to copy over it:

      Directory of C:\WINDOWS
      SETUP    EXE       422,080 03-10-92   3:10a

    The commands that could be used to to obliterate it then are:

      G:\IRS\VJF\95>copy c:\windows\setup.exe taxcheat.95
      G:\IRS\VJF\95>echo Up Yours!>taxcheat.95
      G:\IRS\VJF\95>del taxcheat.95

    ;-)

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 11 Sep 96  15:57:23
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Allen Fraley                                 Mark:
  Subj: call command
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      11-Sep-1996 15:57
    Hello Allen,

    On 08-Sep-96 at 20:44:00, "Richard Epling" and "Allen Fraley" were
    discussing "call command":

AF> I want to run these bat file commands from my nightly maintenance
AF> imrun.bat file.
AF>   call c:\allfix\saveit.bat
AF>   call c:\gecho\saveit.bat
AF>   call c:\amu\saveit.bat
AF>   call c:\pb\saveit.bat
AF>   call c:\im\saveit.bat
AF> Below is an example of saveit.bat in c:\allfix directory. All
AF> saveit.bat files are the same in each directory with the exception
AF> of the file name being zipped up.
AF>   savit.bat
AF>   pkzip allfix *.* -ex -rp -whs -Jhrs
AF>   copy allfix.zip d:\allfix
AF>   del allfix.zip
AF> If I run saveit.bat from there home directories, they work just
AF> fine, zipping up all files and directories. Then the zip files are
AF> copied to there respective directories on my d: drive for storage.
AF> But I want to call each one of them from imrun.bat which runs my
AF> nightly maintenance routine.
AF> The above call commands do not work from my imrun.bat file. By the
AF> way, each one of the above directories are in my autoexec path
AF> statement. Could this be causing me some problems being that the
AF> bats have the same name? Is there maybe a simpler way to do this?

    Here's an IMRUN.BAT for you that will do everything you are trying
    to do in a single command:

      @for %%x in (allfix gecho amu pb im) do pkzip -ex -rp -whs ...
                                 ... -Jhrs d:\%%x\%%x.zip c:\%%x\*.*

      Note: Remove the 3 trailing dots "..." from the end of the 1st
            line and from the beginning of the 2nd line and join the
            2 lines together with a space between "-whs" and "-Jhrs".

    Here are the 5 commands, in order, that will actually be processed
    as DOS expands the above FOR-IN-DO command:

       pkzip -ex -rp -whs -Jhrs d:\allfix\allfix.zip c:\allfix\*.*

       pkzip -ex -rp -whs -Jhrs d:\gecho\gecho.zip c:\gecho\*.*

       pkzip -ex -rp -whs -Jhrs d:\amu\amu.zip c:\amu\*.*

       pkzip -ex -rp -whs -Jhrs d:\pb\pb.zip c:\pb\*.*

       pkzip -ex -rp -whs -Jhrs d:\im\im.zip c:\im\*.*

    IOW, by using the power of PKZIP and the FOR-IN-DO command, you not
    only save yourself a lot of grief in trying to keep up with those 6
    separate BATch file, you also free up 5 clusters worth of valuable
    hard drive space.

    Speaking of which, since you are creating 5 separate uniquely named
    ZIPs anyway you could save even a little more room by deleting the 5
    separate directories on drive D: and then create all of your backup
    ZIPs in a single directory, say "D:\BACKUPS":

      @for %%x in (allfix gecho amu pb im) do pkzip -ex -rp -whs ...
                             ... -Jhrs d:\backups\%%x.zip c:\%%x\*.*

    After you get through running this one you would have something like

       Volume in drive D is DRIVE0_VOL2
       Directory of D:\BACKUPS

      ALLFIX   ZIP        51,645 09-11-96   3:57p
      GECHO    ZIP        42,754 09-11-96   3:57p
      AMU      ZIP       154,391 09-11-96   3:57p
      PB       ZIP        14,433 09-11-96   3:57p
      IM       ZIP     1,759,992 09-11-96   3:57p
              5 file(s)      2,023,215 bytes
                           209,699,328 bytes free

    (instead of each file in a separate directory).

    Just a thought; either way will work.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 446                                          Date: 11 Sep 96  18:26:56
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Richard Morrell                              Mark:
  Subj: change a line
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      11-Sep-1996 18:26
    Hello Richard,

RM> Can anyone tell me if theres a way to change ...

    If deleting ALL of the  >  (greater-than) characters in a file isn't
    a problem, here's an example of "how to" using EDLIN:

      @echo off
      :EXAMPLE of how to strip ">"'s using EDLIN
       if (%1)==() goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
       if not exist %1 goto FileErr
      :Create temporary EDLIN script file
       echo"1,#r>" >~.scr
       rem -------^------- ASCII 8 (backspace)
       echo e>>~.scr
      :Strip ">"'s from the specified file
       edlin %1<~.scr>nul
       del ~.scr
      :Done
       echo A backup copy of your original file
       echo was saved with the extension .BAK
       goto End
      :FileErr
       echo  Error: "%1" could not be located
      :Syntax
       echo Syntax: EXAMPLE filename[.ext]
      :End

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 447                                          Date: 11 Sep 96  16:57:44
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Stefan Mensink                               Mark:
  Subj: Nul
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      11-Sep-1996 16:57
    Hello Stefan,

    On 06-Sep-96 at 19:08:09, "Martin Whittaker" and "Stefan Mensink"
    were discussing "Nul":

MW> Vernon Frazee posted a little gem here awhile back (now _that's_ an
MW> understatement :)) - which included a basic routine to do just what
MW> the originator of this thread was after (I think)....clearing a
MW> file's contents to "nul" (or all 0's or whatever i.e. meaningless
MW> data).

SM> you mean like a program that was written in the lang. basic, to be
SM> used in batchfiles? in that case .. pity.. otherwise.. i'd be really
SM> interested how he'd implement that in batch.. you see.. basic
SM> executables are so awfully big.. ;[

    It's self-contained.  Here, try it:

      @echo off
      :WIPE_IT.BAT v1.10 ------------------------------------
      :Wipes, renames, and then deletes the specified file.
      :Begin ------------------------------------------------
       if not (%1)==() goto CheckParms
      :Syntax -----------------------------------------------
       echo    Name: WIPE_IT.BAT v1.10
       echo Purpose: Wipes, renames, and then deletes the
       echo          specified file.
       echo  Syntax: WIPE_IT [d:][\path\]filename[.ext]
       echo Example: WIPE_IT TAXCHEAT.95
       echo  Needed: QBASIC and CHOICE (anywhere in PATH)
       goto End
      :CheckParms -------------------------------------------
       if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
       if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
       if not exist %1 goto InputErr
      :Are you sure? ----------------------------------------
       echo Are you sure you want to wipe file "%1"?
       choice /c:yn /n "[Y]es or [N]o (Y/N): "
       if errorlevel 2 goto Abort
      :Create/Run QBASIC program to wipe file ---------------
       echo open "%1" for binary as #1>>~.bas
       echo length=lof(1): close #1>>~.bas
       echo lines=int(length/512)>>~.bas
       echo if not length mod 512=0 then>>~.bas
       echo   lines=lines+1>>~.bas
       echo end if>>~.bas
       echo open "%1" for output as #1>>~.bas
       echo for x=1 to lines>>~.bas
       echo   locate,1:print "Goal:";lines;" Line:";x;>>~.bas
       echo   print #1, string$(512,chr$(246));>>~.bas
       echo next x:close:print:randomize timer>>~.bas
       echo x$="~"+right$(str$(cdbl(rnd)),7)+".tmp">>~.bas
       echo name "%1" as x$: kill x$: system>>~.bas
       qbasic /run ~.bas
       del ~.bas
       echo "%1" was wiped, renamed, then deleted.
       goto End
      :InputErr ---------------------------------------------
       echo   Error: "%1" does not exist
       goto Syntax
      :Abort ------------------------------------------------
       echo All processing aborted.
      :End -------------------------------------------- -vjf-


    Example:  WIPE_IT  TAXCHEAT.95

    <g>

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 449                                          Date: 17 Sep 96  10:11:04
  From: Larry Nelson                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Jim Danvers                                  Mark:
  Subj: Need to parse a file
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
         JIM:

 Subject: Need to parse text file....

 JD> We have determined that by simply removing a line from the system.ini
 JD> file in thier win 3.x systems - the can switch from the local
 JD> network/Wan to thier ISP.  Easy - but right at the moment the line
 JD> removal has/is being done manually.  I'd like to come up with a batch
 JD> solution......

      What a great use for Batch in the daily hassel of life at
      the keyboard. You didn't mention just which line needed
      cutting from System.ini so I chose the one that required the
      least typing ("type=4")  See what you think of this....

 ::WanWacker.BAT/DOS 6.22
 @echo off
 cls
      find/v "type=4"<C:\windows\system.ini>C:\windows\system.ini
 :L8r

      I tied it to an icon in Windows and it seemed to run nicely.
 :L8r
         Larry
         .....In a pinch a stone ax still works.....


-!- Maximus 2.02
 ! Origin: MSDOS MAXIMUS BBS (1:343/101)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 437                                          Date: 23 Sep 96  07:15:18
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: WAYNE ALLEN                                  Mark:
  Subj: Date driven BAT's
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      23-Sep-1996 07:15
    Hello WAYNE,

    On 17-Sep-96 at 21:31:04, "All" and "WAYNE ALLEN" were discussing
    "Date driven BAT's":

WA> How do I get a .BAT to activate automatically on a specific date?,
WA> preferably once only (I could use sepaphores to do that bit).

    If you boot your system every day A-N-D your birthday is September
    23rd, here's an example that can be appended to your AUTOEXEC.BAT:

    ::------------------------------------------------------------------
    ::Birthday? - If the current system date is 09-23-(any year), AND we
    ::have not done so yet this day, display "Happy Birthday!" and pause
    ::------------------------------------------------------------------
     ver|date|find " 09-23-"
     if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 goto DisplayBirthday?
     if exist birthday.$$$ del birthday.$$$
     goto EndBirthDayRoutine
    :DisplayBirthday? - (Only if "birthday.$$$ does NOT exist) ---------
     if exist birthday.$$$ goto EndBirthdayRoutine
     rem>birthday.$$$
     echo.
     echo        Happy Birthday!
     echo.
     pause
    :EndBirthdayRoutine ------------------------------------------------

    Of course this can be easily altered to work with any:

      Day of the week - have FIND look for "Mon" or "Tue" or "Wed", etc.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Day - have FIND look for "-01-" or "-02-" or "-03-", etc.
      ~~~   (note the dashes ---^--^ on either side of the numbers)

      Month - have FIND look for " 01" (Jan) or " 02" (Feb), etc.
      ~~~~~   (leading spaces ----^--------------^)

      Friday the 13th - ver|date|find "Fri"|find "-13-"
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Anniversary - Some important anniversary/date is September the 5th
      ~~~~~~~~~~~   and you want a few days advance/repetitive notice so
                    you hopefully won't forget to purchase something:

                      ver|date|find " 09-0"

      etc., etc., etc.

    And/or then of course to do whatever you need it to do when such
    proves true (errorlevel 0) and/or false (errorlevel 1).

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 441                                          Date: 23 Sep 96  16:45:53
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Simon Stone                                  Mark:
  Subj: Search
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      23-Sep-1996 16:45
    Hello Simon,

    On 21-Sep-96 at 00:31:47, "All" and "Simon Stone" were discussing
    "Search":

SS> Is there a way of making a BAT file to search and delete files on my
SS> machine ??

    1) Stick the following SWEEP.BAT in a directory in your PATH

         @echo off
         :SWEEP.BAT - Original from PC Computing
          if not (%1)==() goto Begin
         :Syntax -----------------------------------------------------
          echo    Name: SWEEP.BAT
          echo Purpose: Execute specified command in every directory
          echo  Syntax: SWEEP command [parameters]
          goto End
         :Begin ------------------------------------------------------
          if (%1)==(?) goto Syntax
          if (%1)==(/?) goto Syntax
          set SWEEP=%1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
          cls
          echo Creating a list of all directories on current drive ...
          echo @prompt set CurrentDIR=$p>tmptmp.bat
          command /e:2048 /c tmptmp.bat>director.bat
          del tmptmp.bat | call director.bat
          echo @echo off>director.bat
          echo prompt $g$h>>director.bat
          echo cd %%1>>director.bat
          echo %%SWEEP%%>>director.bat
          echo cd %%CurrentDIR%%>>director.bat
          chkdsk/v|find "Directory"|find "%CurrentDIR%">tmptmp.lst
          echo exit>>tmptmp.lst
          command<tmptmp.lst
          echo Processing complete.
         :Cleanup ----------------------------------------------------
          for %%x in (tmptmp.lst director.bat) do if exist %%x del %%x
          for %%x in (CurrentDIR SWEEP) do set %%x=
         :End --------------------------------------------------------

    2) Type something similar to the following:

         SWEEP  DEL  the_name_of_the_file_you_want_to_delete_goes_here

       Note: Since this command would delete ALL files matching the
             filename you specified in your current directory and each
             and every subdirectory below it, be careful -- especially
             with wildcards.  IOW, the command "SWEEP DEL *.*" from the
             root directory of drive C: could be disastrous.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 448                                          Date: 27 Sep 96  00:21:22
  From: Larry Nelson                                 Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: All                                          Mark:
  Subj: LazyDayz.bat
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
         ALL:

      What day does the Fourth of July fall on next year?
      Don't know huh. Well now you don't have to go asking
      dumb questions of people that prolly don't know either.
      Just run  LazyDayz.bat and be no longer damned to the
      ranks of the ignorant.

 :: LAZYDAYZ.BAT/DOS 6.22, 7.0
 :: Determines the day of the week for any date
 :: from (on my sysem) 01-01-80 to 12-31-2099.
 @echo off
 cls
      if %1! == ! goto hlp
      ver|date|find "Current">curren1.bat
   echo set cur=%%4>current.bat
      call curren1
   echo %1|date>nul
      ver|date|find "Current">curren1.bat
   echo set dow=%%3>current.bat
      call curren1
   echo %1 Falls on a %dow%
   echo %cur%|date>nul
      del curren?.bat
      set cur=
      set dow=
   goto L8r
 :hlp
   echo SYNTAX = dayz (target date)
   echo.
   echo     Sample:
   echo           dayz 12-34-96
 :L8r

      BTW this runs faster in when I run it while shelled out
      of win95 into DOS 7.0.
 :L8r
         Larry
         .....Ina pinch a stone ax still works.....

-!- Maximus 2.02
 ! Origin: MSDOS MAXIMUS BBS (1:343/101)

─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 438                                          Date: 26 Sep 96  10:00:51
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: RICHARD BASH                                 Mark:
  Subj: Capturing date and time
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                      26-Sep-1996 10:00
    Hello RICHARD,

    On 23-Sep-96 at 19:01:25, "ALL" and "RICHARD BASH" were discussing
    "Capturing date and time":

RB> I am using MS-DOS 6.22 along with DESWview. How can I creatively
RB> capture the current date and time in a constantly running batch
RB> file? Said batch file would check the date and time against a
RB> desired date (or day) and time and if there was a "hit," the batch
RB> file would call another batch file. If no "hit," the batch file
RB> would loop back to the start of the file. This batch file would run
RB> in a DV window in the background.

    Here's one simple way to do it:

      ::------------------------------------------
      ::Stick the current date and time in evar DT
      ::------------------------------------------
        echo prompt %prompt%>userpmpt.bat
        prompt set dt=$d $t>temptemp.bat
        command /c temptemp.bat>temptemp.bat
        for %%x in (call del) do %%x userpmpt.bat
        for %%x in (call del) do %%x temptemp.bat
      ::------------------------------------------

    For example, the string this would leave in the environment right
    now would be:

      DT=Thu 09-26-1996 10:03:20.89

    You could then use FIND (from MS-DOS version 6.nn+) to look for any
    of the following strings:

      "Thu"  (Weekday)
      " 09"  (Month)
      "-26-" (Day)
      "96 "  (Year)
      "10:"  (Hour)
      ":03:" (Minute)

    and use its returned errorlevel to determine if you found a hit.

    For example, is it Monday?

      set|find "DT="|find "Mon">nul
      if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 __________

    (where "__________" is maybe a "GOTO whatever_label", or "CALL
    whatever_BATch_file" or do "whatever command") when the current
    system weekday is Monday.

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─ Area: Batch Language Programming                     FI ────────────────────
  Msg#: 445                                          Date: 01 Oct 96  19:40:12
  From: Vernon Frazee                                Read: Yes    Replied: No
    To: Brian Fields                                 Mark:
  Subj: Batch by date
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
                                                       1-Oct-1996 19:40
    Hello Brian,

    On 30-Sep-96 at 13:28:53, "Larry Nelson" and "Brian Fields" were
    discussing "Re: Batch by date":

BF> Ok... Datecheck is designed to execute certain batch files by name,
BF> or create certain semaphores depending on the conditions defined by
BF> the user.  You can execute a batch (or create a semaphore) Daily,
BF> Weekly, Monthly, User defined interval (x days), Yearly, on a
BF> specific Date, (MM-DD.BAT),  on a specific day, (Monday.BAT, etc...)
BF> Can ya handle that?  :)

    Today, the first line from the output of the command "ver|date" is
    "Current date is Tue 10-01-1996" which contains quite a bit of info
    that can be used with FIND.  For example,

      :On every "Tue" do whatever
       ver|date|find "Tue">nul
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 whatever

      :On every day BUT Sun
       ver|date|find /v "Sun"
       if errorlevel 1 whatever

      :Only on the 1st of every month
       ver|date|find "-01-">nul
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 whatever

      :Only if it's Friday the 13th
       ver|date|find "Fri"|find "-13-"
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 echo Horror!

      :Only on Christmas Day
       ver|date|find "12-25-">nul
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 echo Merry Christmas!

      :Only during October
       ver|date|find " 10-">nul
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 whatever

      :From the 10th thru the 19th of October
       ver|date|find " 10-1"
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 Anniversary on the 20th!

      :Only on Sadie Hawkins day (leap day)
       ver|date|find "02-29-">nul
       if errorlevel 0 if not errorlevel 1 whatever

    etc., etc.

    I've been using the idea for years and will admit that it does have
    it's limitations but, it doesn't cost a cent extra and is almost
    always readily available on millions of DOS machines.

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