Hello. I have a directory listing in a text done with /B switch so I get one filename. Is there an easy way to take this filename and add a couple of switches and then run as batch file; I keep getting the added switches on the next line. I would like the line to be: sdat4285.exe /SILENT /F ***************************************** dir c:\temp\sdat*.exe /B > c:\temp\dirsdat.txt echo /SILENT /F>> c:\temp\dirsdat.txt copy c:\temp\dirsdat.txt c:\temp\runsdat.bat call c:\temp\runsdat.bat Thanks in advance. Geoff

The problem is that along with the string of characters, that is, the filename itself, two characters more go to the file - the CR/LF characters, which in that order represent a line break. So, when you append more data to the file, it appers on the next line, because of the line break. Here's a work around: dir c:\temp\sdat*.exe /B > c:\temp\dirsdat.txt copy c:\temp\dirsdat.txt c:\temp\runsdat.bat echo e0 49 49> %temp%.\$ echo g=0 2 >> %temp%.\$ for %%? in (w q) do echo %%?>> %temp%.\$ DEBUG c:\temp\runsdat.bat < %temp%.\$ > nul del %temp%.\$ echo /SILENT /F>> c:\temp\runsdat.bat call c:\temp\runsdat.bat That script uses a debug script to delete the two last characters from the file with the filename, eliminating the line break, Then, the string appended "/SILENT /F" will go to right after the filename. Here's another method, which has a more wide use: echo e100'SET %%1='> %temp%.\$.bat for %%? in (rcx 7 w q) do echo %%?>> %temp%.\$.bat type %temp%.\$.bat |DEBUG %temp%.\$.bat > nul dir c:\temp\sdat*.exe /B >> %temp%.\$.bat call %temp%.\$.bat MyFilename echo %MyFilename% /SILENT /F> %temp%.\$.bat call %temp%.\$.bat del %temp%.\$.bat That batch file uses a debug script to create a file with the string "SET %1=" and without a final CR/LF, that is, any data appended to it will go straight to right after the "=" sign. Then, the DIR ouput is appended to such file, and it is executed with the parameter "MyFilename". So, it sets the variable %MyFilename% with the filename. After that, you can use the variable to create the batch file with the parameters "/SILENT /F" (that's being done on the third line from bottom to top). -- Leonardo Pignataro - Secret_Doom -- secret_doom@hotmail.com www.batch.hpg.com.br ____________________________________________________

Thanks very much- you are a genius with this stuff! 1) Just wondering what does the period in "%temp%.\" do? 2) There is no space after the "sdat4285.exe" and before "/silent /F" not sure if it matters or not but may in other expressions..is there a way to add a space? Thanks in advance.

> 1) Just wondering what does the period > in "%temp%.\" do? That period is in case: a) The %temp% variable ends with a slash. c:\temp\.\filename is a valid path, but c:\temp\\filename is not, when regarding DOS and Win9x. b) The %temp% variable is empty. ".\filename" represents a file on the current directory, while "\filename" represents a file on the root. Accidentaly overwriting a file from the root would probably be worst than most other files. Such cases are rare, and in all my scripts which use the %temp% variable I assume it is assigned to a valid and writeable path, specific for temporary files (and therefor spendable), but taking that security measure won't hurt. It's a good writing habit. > 2) There is no space after the > "sdat4285.exe" and before "/silent /F" > not sure if it matters or not but may in > other expressions..is there a way to add > a space? I assume you're talking about the first method I posted (the second does include a space). Generally, you can specify switches to .exe files without a space, but it can be added. Change the second line from bottom to top by this: echo. /SILENT /F>> c:\temp\runsdat.bat That dot could be a space, by the way. But the space couldn't be a dot, though. -- Leonardo Pignataro - Secret_Doom -- secret_doom@hotmail.com www.batch.hpg.com.br _____________________________________________