MS DOS Batch file copy file from FTP Site

Your batch file is going to basically run the ftp command, and pass it the automation script - which in your example is txtFSTSE.scp

So, the only interpretation needed from the batch file, is technically irrelevant, provided you place those comands in your ftp script file.  Those commands simply changed to the proper drive, and subsequently, the proper folder.  But that's easily handled in the script file.

I would suggest modifying it to the attached code.
Your batch file becomes a one-liner.  Simply use:

  @ftp -s:c:\Path_To_FTPScript\txtFTSE.scp

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Here's a couple of sites to explain more on automating FTP, if you're curious.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/96269
http://www.robvanderwoude.com/ftp.php

lcd "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\"
open data.ftse.com
username
password
prompt n
cd data/gilts/gilts_constituents
get BGCO1904.csv "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\FTP\BGCO1904.csv" overwrite 
quit

Select allOpen in new window

the first line switches to the "G:" drive.
The second line should probably read cd G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks which will switch to the specified directory.
The third runs the ftp command with the txtfile as input using data.ftse.com and the site to ftp to.

In the textfile
first line username
second line passowrd
third line tell the ftp programs to not confirm your choices(dont prompt you)
fourth lin changes to the specified directory
fifth lines grabs the file
sixth lines quits

to troubleshoot from within windows go to start then run and type cmd then enter
that will open a command prompt
run your batch file
it should output errors from you program post them here if they dont make sense to you.

Hi mcs26,

Change to G drive
Execute: ftp to data.ftse.com and the run script (list of ftp commands) (G:\) txtFTSE.scp

Thanks

Pine

Thanks SirBounty for replying.  I have just changed my files to what you said it still however does not copy the file from the FTP site. It says error opening script file G:\Shared\Fixed

So I am guessing it does not like the space in the folder name. Only thing is I cannot change the folder name as I do not have permissions. Any ideas?

Thanks again

Mark

Is the script located here: G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks?

If so, then you need to ensure that entire path is enclosed in quotes (as in my example above).
Some internal commands will work without them, but ftp will not.  The outer quotes are needed since Fixed Income has a space in between it...
Try that and let me know.

Yeah the script is located in G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks. I have quotes around that in the script file not the batch file though.

Still no luck though. My script file looks like this,

lcd "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\"
open data.ftse.com
username
password
prompt n
cd data/gilts/gilts_constituents
get BGCO1904.csv "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\FTP\BGCO1904.csv" overwrite
quit

Whoops, when I last looked nobody had commented.  I went to make some tea, rattled out an answer, hit the Submit button, and it now looks like I have plagiarised and/or reiterated comments made while I was making tea and typing as fast as I could.  Sorry ;-)

No worries here Bill.  ;^)
Enjoy your tea.

Hi Bill & SirBounty,

thanks for the explantion!
My batch file looks like the line below but still no luck. I am going to e-mail the data provider becuase I cannot really what is wrong?

@ftp -s: "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\txtFTSE.scp"

The error message is still saying "Error opening script file G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\txtFTSE.scp."

try removing that space after s:...should read:

@ftp -s:"G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\txtFTSE.scp"

Failing that, you can try with this slight modification:

@cd /d "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\txtFTSE.scp"
@ftp -s:txtFTSE.scp

You're certain that the file exists as txtFTSE.scp?

Yeah the file exists, have doubled checked it. Still no luck though.

Check for line breaks in the *.SCP file.  If viewing it in Windows Notepad with word-wrap on it may have created a new line like this:

@cd /d "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled
Tasks\txtFTSE.scp"

instead of this:

@cd /d "G:\Shared\Fixed Income\Sovereign\Mark\Scheduled Tasks\txtFTSE.scp"

Copy and paste them both to Notepad and uncheck word-wrap to see.

Hi Bill,

Just opened the file and it already has word-wrap unchecked, otherwise like you with it on it does create a new line.

Thanks,

Hmm - let's try depending on 8.3 conversion then (somewhat presumptuous, but worth a shot)
Spaces should no longer be a factor...

Batch file:
  @ftp -s:G:\Shared\FixedI~1\Sovereign\Mark\Schedu~1\txtFTSE.scp

lcd G:\Shared\FixedI~1\Sovereign\Mark\FTP
open data.ftse.com
username
password
prompt n
cd data/gilts/gilts_constituents
get BGCO1904.csv overwrite 
quit

Select allOpen in new window

Are you just fetching one file, and the same file, on a regular basis?

If so, you can possibly avoid all the messing around by using a simpler standalone program file named "URL2File":
http://www.chami.com/free/url2file_wincon.html
It is part of the "HTML-Kit Tools" package:
http://www.chami.com/

Under the "Download / Install" section of the "/url2file_wincon.html" page you will see the links for an Installer version and a ZIP file containing the standalone files (URL2FILE.EXE and Readme.txt).  I suggest just using the standalone EXE.

Usage is show a bit further down the download page and there is another "Tip" page showing usage in a batch file:
http://www.chami.com/tips/windows/062598W.html

I prefer this for simple single file fetching to FTP.EXE, but you need to specify the FTP Protocol, eg. target URL, eg:
ftp://data.ftse.com/data/gilts/gilts_constituents/BGCO1904.csv

Hmmm.  I see that you can also enter (on login) via http://data.ftse.com/HttpPull/login.jsp

Hi Bill & SirBounty,

Firstly thanks for helping me.

Sadly I'am not allowed (or able) to download anything onto my computer, company is very strict, which is a pain in neck! I like the idea of entering the login although when we had the account setup I was warned by the data provider that sometimes you will have to log in twice, they have some bug there end by the sounds of it!

I have tried the new code you have writting with no luck, I have written to the data provider to see if it is an error their side. Will let you know what they come back with when they do get back to me.

Thanks,

Please open a cmd prompt (Start->Run->cmd <Enter>) and test this manually, step-by-step...
The same commands should work for you one line at a time.  Check if any come back with an error when it's not automated:

ftp <enter>
lcd G:\Shared\FixedI~1\Sovereign\Mark\FTP <enter> (success?)
open data.ftse.com <enter>
username <enter>
password <enter> (connected?)
prompt n <enter> (though this is irrelevant when stepping through)
cd data/gilts/gilts_constituents <enter> (success?)
get BGCO1904.csv overwrite <enter> (success?)
bye <enter>

I will try it on my home computer (and make the adjustments to the file locations) after work, as our IT are a bit control freakish, we do not have the option of Run from out Start menus.

Any update?

Hi Sirbounty,

I am going to chance the data provider up again today & soon as I hear anything will let you know.

Thanks

Recommend split http:#31272662 and http:#31273324
Automated script was provided, as was Bill's most excellent description of the commands and how they work.  I believe the author got what they were after...

Thak you SirBounty and Vee_Mod