Question

DOS Batch script -- need no-wait, also date in variable

Asked by: rspahitz

Two part question:

(1) [175 pts]
In order to automate some tasks I have that require opening several Windows programs, I dumped them into a DOS batch file to open the programs.

This works relatively well, but some programs halt the execution of the batch file until they are closed.  After I close them, then the batch file continues.  This is fine for some things but not others.  Besides, I can always add a pause if I want that function.

I've played around a bit and found that if I launch the program in a separate shell (via the start command) then all is well...unless the command requires parameters.

Q:
How do I create a batch file of windows commands that does not pause until the program closes.

For example, this is what I have, and it pauses after notepad and SecureCRT but the rest open as soon as SecureCRT closes.  If I prepend "start" then the parameters are ignored and it simply launches a new blank DOS window.

Myfile.bat
-----------
@Rem Add text file to folder
cd "C:\SomePath\ADC"
Notepad "ADCLog_yyyymmdd.txt"

@Rem Open the SecureCRT window to start DMR
cd "C:\Program Files\SecureCRT3.3\"
SecureCRT.EXE /S "Run ADC"

@Rem Open the bulk folders
explorer "C:\SomePath\ADC"

@Rem Launch the edit tool
cd "C:\Program Files\SlickEdit\win"
start vs.exe

@Rem Launch the claim converter
cd "C:\SomePath\ADC"
adc_regtest.xlt

@Rem Launch the FTP tool
cd "C:\Program Files\GlobalSCAPE\CuteFTP 8 Professional"
start cuteftppro.exe

----------
(2) [75pts]
Is there a way that I can get the current system date (in yyyymmdd format) into a variable so I can add it to a batch command (specifically, to create a text file with the current date: xxxx_yyyymmdd.txt)
Currently I'm donig this:
   Notepad xxxx_yyyymmdd.txt
but i'd like the actual date there.

--
If either of these is more complicated than a simple command, I'll up the points.

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Asked On
2007-01-31 at 13:22:04ID22144399
Tags

batch

,

dos

,

date

,

script

Topic

Windows Programming

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: sirbountyPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:25:04ID: 18439792

Try this:

@Rem Add text file to folder
cd "C:\SomePath\ADC"
Start "" Notepad ADCLog_yyyymmdd.txt

@Rem Open the SecureCRT window to start DMR
cd "C:\Program Files\SecureCRT3.3\"
Start "" SecureCRT.EXE /S "Run ADC"

@Rem Open the bulk folders
Start "" explorer "C:\SomePath\ADC"

@Rem Launch the edit tool
cd "C:\Program Files\SlickEdit\win"
start vs.exe

@Rem Launch the claim converter
cd "C:\SomePath\ADC"
adc_regtest.xlt

@Rem Launch the FTP tool
cd "C:\Program Files\GlobalSCAPE\CuteFTP 8 Professional"
start cuteftppro.exe

 

by: sirbountyPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:25:54ID: 18439795

set myDate=%date:~4,2%%date:~7,2%%date:~10%

 

by: sirbountyPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:27:03ID: 18439805

Unless your date exludes the 'day'..

myDate=%date:~0,2%%date:~3,2%%date:~6%

 

by: rspahitzPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:43:44ID: 18439949

Awesome...

the start "" thing worked great...worthy of double the points

just had to tweak the date format to my desired format.

 

by: sirbountyPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:44:44ID: 18439959

whoo hoo - thanx!

 

by: rspahitzPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:45:40ID: 18439967

I thought I knew batch programming, but you're the guru! :)

 

by: sirbountyPosted on 2007-01-31 at 13:48:53ID: 18439997

Not quite...but getting there.  Thanx!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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