batch remove quotes from variables

I have had several instances where I need/want to create a variable by combining other variables. i.e. SET PathFile="%CurrentDir%%MyFile%"

I am looking for a way to strip the quotes (") from the variables so I can combine several and enclose all in a single set of quotes for use somewhere in the script. Same issue happens when I need to use an environment variable that has a space.

For some of my needs I have found a way to work around this issue. However I would really like to know if there is a way to do this.

@ECHO OFF
SET CurrentDir=c:\Users\Tony\Documents\Fort Worth ToDo\
SET MyFile=to do.txt
SET PathFile="%CurrentDir%%MyFile%"
ECHO the Directory is %CurrentDir%
ECHO the File is %MyFile%
ECHO the File - Path is %PathFile%
ECHO %ProgramFiles(x86)%
ECHO.
FOR /F "Tokens=*" %%A in ( 'TYPE "%PathFile%" ^| FINDSTR /V /C:"REM"' ) DO (
	REM ECHO %MyFile%
	ECHO %%A
	)

Open in new window


Results of above
the Directory is c:\Users\Tony\Documents\Fort Worth ToDo\
the File is to do.txt
the File - Path is "c:\Users\Tony\Documents\Fort Worth ToDo\to do.txt"
C:\Program Files (x86)




The system cannot find the file specified.
Error occurred while processing: c:\Users\Tony\Documents\Fort.
The system cannot find the file specified.
Error occurred while processing: Worth.
The system cannot find the path specified.
pphreadrAsked:
Who is Participating?
I wear a lot of hats...

"The solutions and answers provided on Experts Exchange have been extremely helpful to me over the last few years. I wear a lot of hats - Developer, Database Administrator, Help Desk, etc., so I know a lot of things but not a lot about one thing. Experts Exchange gives me answers from people who do know a lot about one thing, in a easy to use platform." -Todd S.

Steve KnightIT ConsultancyCommented:
on phone here at mo. so can't type correct character as it closes ee input box for some reason...

you could do.

set name=%name:"=%

which says replace all " in name with nothing (the bit after the =192 is what it is changed to)

or you can use a tilde in your %%expense syntax, i.e.

%£1 is the first param from commandline without quotes, %%£a is a variable used in for loop.  you can also do it in subroutine, e.g.


call :stripvar "my string with quotes on"
echo It is now %result%
exit /b

:stripvar
set result=%£1
exit /b

each £ char should be tilde.

Steve

Experts Exchange Solution brought to you by

Your issues matter to us.

Facing a tech roadblock? Get the help and guidance you need from experienced professionals who care. Ask your question anytime, anywhere, with no hassle.

Start your 7-day free trial
Bill PrewIT / Software Engineering ConsultantCommented:
Since you already have quotes around the variable then you don't want to add another set when you reference that variable.  So you can do one of the following:

(my personal preference is to never include quotes in the variable assignments, and always add them when I reference the variables in the script, if they are needed)

@ECHO OFF
SET CurrentDir=c:\Users\Tony\Documents\Fort Worth ToDo\
SET MyFile=to do.txt
SET PathFile="%CurrentDir%%MyFile%"
ECHO the Directory is %CurrentDir%
ECHO the File is %MyFile%
ECHO the File - Path is %PathFile%
ECHO %ProgramFiles(x86)%
ECHO.
FOR /F "Tokens=*" %%A in ( 'TYPE %PathFile% ^| FINDSTR /V /C:"REM"' ) DO (
	REM ECHO %MyFile%
	ECHO %%A
	)

Open in new window

or 
@ECHO OFF
SET CurrentDir=c:\Users\Tony\Documents\Fort Worth ToDo\
SET MyFile=to do.txt
SET PathFile=%CurrentDir%%MyFile%
ECHO the Directory is %CurrentDir%
ECHO the File is %MyFile%
ECHO the File - Path is %PathFile%
ECHO %ProgramFiles(x86)%
ECHO.
FOR /F "Tokens=*" %%A in ( 'TYPE "%PathFile%" ^| FINDSTR /V /C:"REM"' ) DO (
	REM ECHO %MyFile%
	ECHO %%A
	)

Open in new window

~bp
pphreadrAuthor Commented:
I want to think both of you for your help. This gives me several ideas that I did not think of.

Steve, I have never seen the syntax for set name=%name:"=% all I have seen is syntax using a tilde (set name=%name:~"=%) and that did not work for environment and assigned variables.
Thanks


Bill

I have had issues with paths/variables with spaces in them. That said I will keep this in mind as I never thought to not quote things with a space.
Thanks to you, too.
Bill PrewIT / Software Engineering ConsultantCommented:
Welcome.

~bp
Steve KnightIT ConsultancyCommented:
No problem, lots of useful stuff in batch that isn't immediately obvious, with that syntax you can do things like:

set x=%x:*+=% - replace all upto + with nothing
set x=%x:","=% - replace , with ","

i.e the bit before the : is the "find", the bit after is the "replace".

"find" can include * at the start and matches anything upto first occurance of the next char(s)
"find" or "replace" can be more than one char, e.e.

set x=%x:ABCD=EFGH%

etc.  SET /? shows it though not in great detail

Steve
It's more than this solution.Get answers and train to solve all your tech problems - anytime, anywhere.Try it for free Edge Out The Competitionfor your dream job with proven skills and certifications.Get started today Stand Outas the employee with proven skills.Start learning today for free Move Your Career Forwardwith certification training in the latest technologies.Start your trial today
Windows OS

From novice to tech pro — start learning today.