asked on

batch file to parse a text file and pick out certain strings

hi.
i have a problem.
i actually have to write a batch file to generate a command to restore databases automatically.

one of the parameters in the command is giving a timestamp from the backup catalog file. backup catalog file is nothing but a text file which holds timestamps of when backups were taken.

now, the format of the catalog file is as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
begin dump=0
mbt_version=5.0.00
locale=en_US.iso88591
datetime=12/25/2005 22:00:09
completion_time=12/26/2005 00:09:13
backup_expired=N
file=adsm.exe:TSM_BACKUP_RCO_SRTSQL\backup_poolC:/BACKTRACK:RCO-SR~1\SRT\RKDB-25-12-2005.22:00:26-1428<43>
pool=TSM_BACKUP_RCO_SRTSQL
backuptype=data
contents=no
logicalheader=no
compression=yes
recovery_model=FULL
encryption=no
first_lsn=-3071208515949061311
last_lsn=-3071208515948661311
object_list=E:\Sqlbacktrack\catalog\mbacktrack\catalog\physical8\RCO-SRTSQL\SRT\RKDB.12_25_2005_22_00_09.lst
end dump
begin dump=log_only
mbt_version=5.0.00
locale=en_US.iso88591
datetime=12/26/2005 00:15:01
completion_time=12/26/2005 00:15:17
backup_expired=N
file=disk.exe:RKDB_TLOGD:\SQLBAC~1\RKDB_T~1\RKDB-26-12-2005_00.15.12.483-4096<1>
pool=RKDB_TLOG
backuptype=data
contents=no
logicalheader=no
compression=yes
recovery_model=FULL
encryption=no
first_lsn=-3072208515930661311
last_lsn=-3071208515948161311
end dump
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This loops on and on. I need only the "datetime=...." entry for every "dump=0" section. maybe even where "backup_expired=Y" but backup_expired is not really important.

so what i need help with is....something to which i can give this catalog file as the input...and all the "datetime=...." lines will be printed of screen where "dump=0"

please let me know if im not explaining correctly.

thanks in advance.
much appreciated.

-kunal

GuruGary

Hi, Kunalap.

I think I figured out a solution. I'm not sure this is the best way to do this, so if one of the other experts comes up with a better way, feel free to give them the points. I think that you want to search a file (given as a parameter) for lines ending in "dump=0" and when found, print (to the screen) the first occurance of the line containing "datetime". I am making the following assumptions:
- This batch file will be run from a writable directory under Windows 2000/XP/2003
- This batch file accepts 1 parameter which is the log file to parse
- The "datetime" line will always be 3 lines down from the "dump=0" line
- The length of the "datetime" line is constant (31 characters)

I think the following should work:

@echo off
setlocal
set file=%1

if {%1}=={} echo Please specify filename&goto :EOF
if not exist %1 echo Can't find file %file%&goto :EOF

for /f %%a in ('findstr /i /n "dump=0$" %file%') do set dumpline=%%a&call :Process
goto :EOF

:Process
set /a start=2+%dumpline% 2>NUL
more /e +%start% %file% > temptxt.txt
echo rcx >debugcmd.txt&echo 21 >>debugcmd.txt&echo w >>debugcmd.txt& echo q >>debugcmd.txt
debug temptxt.txt <debugcmd.txt >NUL
type temptxt.txt
del temptxt.txt
del debugcmd.txt

goto :EOF

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

SteveGTR

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GuruGary

Kunalap - I would use Steve's solution because it is cleaner than mine, has the capability for additional processing and has less dependancies than my solution (good job, Steve!)

SteveGTR

Thanks Gary :)

kunalap

ASKER

god bless u man.
damn u guys are good.

cheers.

thanks.