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Gracefully exit a looping batch file

What are some good methods for allowing users to gracefully exit a looping batch file?

=================
:loop
rem allow graceful exit here
goto :loop
=================

I've tried using CHOICE to allow users to hit a specific key to get out, but it appears that the choice command stagnates (hangs) if the command window of the batch file looses focus:
=================
:loop
echo hit 'Q' to exit this utility or 'Y' to manually refresh
choice /N /Ty,2 /Cqy
if %ERRORLEVEL%==1 goto :EOF
goto :loop
:EOF
exit
=================

I've also tried just telling user to hit Ctrl-C, but then they get the annoying "Terminate Batch Job Y/N" question:
=================
:loop
echo hit 'Ctrl-C' to exit this utility
sleep 3
goto :loop
=================

Any better ideas?

Thanks,
-Brian

SteveGTR

You could put a time restraint on the choice command like so:

choice /CYN /TN,01 Press 'Y' to exit loop

if ERRORLEVEL 2 goto LOOP

This will give the user a 1 second window to abort during processing.

Other than that, I'd just have the user press CTRL-C and confirm with the Y/N prompt.

Good Luck,
Steve

InteractiveMind

There's always the pause statment:

echo Press any key to exit this program . . .
pause>nul

brianadkins

ASKER

Thanks for the ideas so far, but:

SteveGTR - that is essentially what I have above (just a one second wait instead of two)

InteractiveMind - Pause certainly is graceful, but it prevents the looping I'm after.

-Brian

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

SteveGTR

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brianadkins

ASKER

Thanks for the help... I have no understanding of assembly code, but your method was functional. Turns out I almost had a seizure from the flashing command windows opening and closing... : )

I'll probably just end up going with option A which was Press Ctrl-C to exit ... and deal with the "Terminate batch Job" question as needed.

Thanks for the suggestions guys...

-Brian