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Introduction to Batch Files

Introduction to Batch Files. Overview. Will learn to create batch files to automate a sequence of commands to accomplish various tasks. Overview. The use of batch file subcommands will be discussed and then used with batch commands. Overview.

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Introduction to Batch Files

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  1. Introduction to Batch Files

  2. Overview Will learn to create batch files to automate a sequence of commands to accomplish various tasks. Ch 10

  3. Overview The use of batch file subcommands will be discussed and then used with batch commands. Ch 10

  4. Overview How to halt the execution of a batch file will be explained. Ch 10

  5. Overview Will write batch files using replaceable parameters. Ch 10

  6. Overview Learn how batch files can be used from the desktop. Ch 10

  7. Concepts of Batch and Interactive Processing Batch file: • String together series of commands executed sequentially with one command without human interaction or interruption Ch 10

  8. Concepts of Batch and Interactive Processing Batch file: • Must be an ASCII file • Created with Edit, COPY CON, text editor, or word processor which has “Save as text file” option • Has .BAT or .CMD extension • Each line in batch file contains only one command Ch 10

  9. Concepts of Batch and Interactive Processing Why batch files used: • Minimize keystrokes • Automate frequent/consistent procedures • Do not need to interact with computer while batch files are running Ch 10

  10. Concepts of Batch and Interactive Processing Batch processing: • Automate frequent/consistent procedures • Batch files can be run at anytime • No user/computer interaction required Ch 10

  11. Concepts of Batch and Interactive Processing Interactive processing: • Also called online or real time mode • User interacts directly with computer • Information processed without delay Ch 10

  12. How Batch Files Work The operating system determines if a file is a data file or a program file by its extension. Ch 10

  13. How Batch Files Work To locate file, operating system: • Looks internally for command • Using Extension Priority Rules, searches on default drive and directory • Searches search path as set in PATH statement following Priority Rules Ch 10

  14. How Batch Files WorkTable 10.1 Search Order for Extensions pp. 485-486 Ch 10

  15. How Batch Files Work Priority rules are followed if there are files on a disk with the same file name but three different file extensions. Ch 10

  16. How Batch Files Work If file not found, get error message: “Filename is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file.” Ch 10

  17. How Batch Files Work • A batch file is a program. • Each line in a batch file must contain only one command. Ch 10

  18. Using EDIT to Write Batch Files To write a batch file you must use a program that creates ASCII text files. Ch 10

  19. Using EDIT to Write Batch Files If a file is readable with the TYPE command, it is an ASCII text file. Ch 10

  20. Using EDIT to Write Batch Files Word-processing programs can create text files if they have a nondocument or text mode. Ch 10

  21. Using EDIT to Write Batch Files EDIT: • Simple text editor in Command Prompt window • Used to write batch files. Ch 10

  22. Using EDIT to Write Batch Files Notepad: • Window’s text editor • Used to write batch files Ch 10

  23. Activity—Writing and Executing a Batch File KEY CONCEPTS: • Create batch files with: • EDIT - tool to write batch files • Any text editor or word processor with ASCII output • Batch file extensions - .BAT or .CMD • Execute the batch file the same ways as you do any command Ch 10

  24. Writing and Executing a Batch File to Save Keystrokes Batch files can save keystrokes. Examples: DIR/AD DIR/OS and DIR/O-S Ch 10

  25. Writing and Executing a Batch File to Save Keystrokes Sometimes easier to use COPY CON instead of EDIT to write simple batch file. Syntax: COPY CON filename Ch 10

  26. Writing and Executing a Batch File to Save Keystrokes Drawbacks to using COPY CON: • Cannot correct errors once <Enter> is pressed • Cannot correct errors in existing files Ch 10

  27. Writing and Executing a Batch File to Save Keystrokes • To correct errors need text editor like EDIT. • Nothing is faster than COPY CON. Ch 10

  28. Activity—Writing & Executing a One-Letter Batch File KEY CONCEPTS: • Pressing <F6> and <Enter> signals completion • <Ctrl> +Z same as pressing <F6> • Displaying file with TYPE indicates it is ASCII file • Create one-line batch files • Directories have no size Ch 10

  29. Using Batch Files to Alter Your Command Line Environment Open command line session by: • Clicking icon on Start menu • Clicking shortcut • Can be altered to run in customized way Ch 10

  30. Activity - Creating a Batch File to Alter the Command Line Session Environment KEY CONCEPTS: • Created shortcut to open command line session on desktop • Can decide what directory to be in • With /k parameter - include batch file that is executed each time command line session opened • Value limited on floppy • Valuable on hard drive Ch 10

  31. Writing a Batch File to Load Application Program • To execute BOG game took three steps. • Create a batch file to simplify loading an application program. Ch 10

  32. Activity—Writing a Batch File to Execute BOG Game KEY CONCEPTS: • Create batch files with: • COPY CON • Any text editor or word processor with ASCII output (Example: Edit) • Why no conflict between BOG.BAT and BOG.EXE names • How to execute command that requires particular location Ch 10

  33. Creating Shortcuts for Batch Files on the Desktop To run a batch file from Windows: • Double-click file name in Windows Explorer/My Computer • Create shortcut for file and place on desktop and click icon Ch 10

  34. Creating Shortcuts for Batch Files on the Desktop Some things can be done with shortcut that cannot do in the command line interface. • Click shortcut to execute batch • Can change shortcut icon Ch 10

  35. Activity—Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop KEY CONCEPTS: • Clicking shortcut executes file • Can change icon so it is more distinctive Ch 10

  36. Batch Files to Run Windows Programs Where Windows system files reside will vary depending on installation of Windows XP Professional. Ch 10

  37. Batch Files to Run Windows Programs Windows “keeps notes” about itself in system environment. • Pathstored in environmental variable %Path% • Drive referred to in environment as %SystemDrive% • Directory where system files are located referred to as %SystemRoot% Ch 10

  38. Batch Files to Run Windows Programs With Notepad: • Can create batch file that allows you to run program without returning to desktop • Can create log file that adds current date and time to file created with Notepad Ch 10

  39. Activity—Creating a Batch File to Run Notepad KEY CONCEPTS: • %SYSTEMROOT% (Environmental variable) • Windows knows where Windows files are located and substitutes correct name • %% signs around name - OS substitutes value for that variable. • Opened Notepad without returning to desktop • Used Notepad to create log file (case sensitive) • Created log file Ch 10

  40. Activity—Creating a Batch File to Run Notepad KEY CONCEPTS: • START command: • Can start a program in new window while still executing batch program in previous window • If title following command is in quotes, will give window that title Ch 10

  41. Special Batch File CommandsTable 10.2 Batch File Commands pp.. 509-510 Ch 10

  42. Special Batch File CommandsTable 10.2 Batch File Commands pp.. 509-510 Ch 10

  43. The REM Command REM command (remarks) allows user to place comments in file that are displayed but not executed Ch 10

  44. The REM Command REM allows file to be documented: • Gives explanation of the purpose of a program • Can include name of batch file, last time it was updated, and author of batch file Ch 10

  45. Activity—Using REM KEY CONCEPTS: • Used Edit to write batch file • Purpose of REM - provide explanatory remarks about the batch file • If line begins with REM - explanatory text follows and no action taken • No more lines in batch file -OS returns to system level Ch 10

  46. The ECHO Command ECHO ON command: • Displays command and the command’s output to the screen • Is the default value Ch 10

  47. The ECHO Command ECHO OFF command: • Minimizes screen clutter • User turns off display of command then only see command’s output Ch 10

  48. The ECHO CommandTable 10.3 ECHO ON or OFF p. 512 Ch 10

  49. Activity—Using ECHO KEY CONCEPTS: • ECHO ON - see remarks and commands • ECHO OFF - output displayed not actual commands • @ECHO OFF - @ suppresses display of ECHO OFF • Purpose of batch files defeated if interaction required by user Ch 10

  50. Activity—Using ECHOTable 10.4 Echo On and ECHO Off: A Comparison of Screen Displays p. 516 Ch 10

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