asked on

Rename file if exist to file.old.%date%

Hey Experts. I am running a script that is dumping out data from our AD environment and the data goes into a log file. I run this script a couple times a week and I have to remember to rename the file .date before running the script. Because my memory is not the best, I would like the batch script to run and if the log file already exists that the existing file will be renamed to .old.%date%. Example:

data.log should be renamed to data.old.060413

The format of the date doesn't matter. It could be julian date or month/date. I just need it to be renamed. So far all I have is:

if exist c:\tools\file.log rename c:\tools\file.old.%date%

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I appreciate your help!

Lee W, MVP

Why not change your script so that every time it runs, the date stamp is part of the file name.

For example:
file.date.log

Lee W, MVP

There are a couple of ways of incorporating the date into a file name - if you are based in the USA with a US style date format, you can reference the date in a batch file using the following format:

%date:~-4%-%date:4,2%-%date:7,2%
That should output a date in the format:
2013-06-04
YYYY-MM-DD (best for sorting)

Other methods exist for retrieving the date values and assigning them to a variable for use in a batch file, but this is the quickest if your date variables match mine.

Lee W, MVP

To be clear:
if exist c:\tools\file.log rename c:\tools\file.old.%date:~-4%-%date:4,2%-%date:7,2%

samiam41

ASKER

Hey leew!! Great to see you again.

That works for me. So, how do I do it? :)

rename file.log file.date.log

samiam41

ASKER

Oops. Looks like you already posted it. Thanks Leew. Testing it now.

SOLUTION

Steve Knight

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oBdA

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samiam41

ASKER

leew, when I run your command from a batch script, this is what I get:
C:\Tools>if exist c:\tools\file.log rename c:\tools\file.old.2013-date:4,2date:7,2

Nothing shows up in the directory.

samiam41

ASKER

oBdA, just entered in your code, removed the safety cap (echo on line 9) and rolled it out. Worked like I expected! Thanks.

Steve Knight

For reference Leew just missed two ~ out of the date commands. You can see what the bits used mean in set /? etc.

if exist c:\tools\file.log rename c:\tools\file.old.%date:~-4%-%date:~4,2%-%date:~7,2%

samiam41

ASKER

Thanks dragon-it but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Now I'm getting
"The syntax of the command is incorrect."

I got a solution. I'll leave it as an Unsolved Mystery.

samiam41

ASKER

Thanks experts! Rolling with my solution and on to the next challenge. Take care guys.