Hello, Does anyone know how to set a dos variable using a field from a that is within a text file? I believe there might be a way using numbered variables, but I havent seen much doco on them. Examples would be a help.

Hi there. Examples from YOU would be a great help too =D Watch this: Let's say you've got the following text file (let's say the filename is "data.txt"): Joker King Queen Now, for setting the variable CARD to the value "Joker", do this (via batch file): fc data.txt nul /n |find "1:"> $out.txt echo.>> $out.txt date < $out.txt |find "1:"> $out.bat echo SET CARD=%%5> enter.bat call $out.bat del $out.txt del $out.bat del enter.bat If you want the KING as the variable CARD, do this: fc data.txt nul /n |find "2:"> $out.txt echo.>> $out.txt date < $out.txt |find "2:"> $out.bat echo SET CARD=%%5> enter.bat call $out.bat del $out.txt del $out.bat del enter.bat That's it. -- Secret_Doom -- secret_doom@hotmail.com secretdoom.hpg.com.br

Hello, I am trying to perform the exact same task as Jeremy on a Windows 2000 box. While the sample code above works great on my Windows 95 box, I am having trouble using it in Windows 2000. When I run it there, it gives me an error stating that it cannot find a file or folder called nul. Any suggestions?

Of course this is the simplest thing to do, but Microsoft makes it almost impossible to work universally on all machines, since Bill "Nazi" Gates can't keep the contents of the Dos COMMAND directory stocked the same. Anyway, you'll need a dos utility called "ASET" or "ASET.EXE", and this will do everything you need with text from files. See also http://www.student.northpark.edu/pemente/sed/bat_env.htm for samples.