I know I've seen it here somewhere, but can't find it. Sadly, I suck at writing batch files, or I'd just do it myself.

I'm hoping to use the batch file to install all my apps...

Is this what you mean?

for %%a in ("*.cmd") do %comspec% /c "%%~a"

<Edit>

You don't have to use '%comspec% /c', you may prefer to use 'call'

</Edit>

Edited August 31, 200520 yr by Yzöwl

just quickly Yzöwl - whats the difference between %comspec% and call? i.e. pro's and con's

Just wondering

Cheers

N.

I will help answer that query.

Call is internal method to a execute a batch file. The batch file will pause, until the Call to the executed batch ends. The same instance of %ComSpec% does the operation for the entire loop.

%Comspec% is executing cmd.exe externally. This means that %ComSpec% is started For each loop. This is by far the slowest and inefficient method.

Is this what you mean?

for %%a in ("*.cmd") do %comspec% /c "%%~a"

<Edit>

You don't have to use '%comspec% /c', you may prefer to use 'call'

</Edit>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Will that execute all .cmds in the directory, and only once?

EDIT: LOL, I guess I can't give this file name a .cmd, as it loops repeatedly then.

What does the /c do? As it just errored out for me.

Edited September 1, 200520 yr by fly

An example:

Master.cmd

for %%a in ("Files\*.cmd") do Call "%%~a"

The above will execute the *.cmd files in the files directory, next to the script. Create a folder called files and create a cmd script with below in it.

Slave.cmd

@echo off
echo.
echo everything is working ok
echo.
pause

Now run the Master.cmd and you will see it execute the Slave.cmd. If you had other *.cmd scripts in files folder, then they would be executed also.

If you type cmd /? in the command console. It will tell you what /c does.

Carries out the command specified by string and then terminates

But as I have stated. Call is the best command for this purpose.

Try this as a test, replace the pushd line with the location of your files

pushd C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\Batch Files
for %%a in ("*.cmd") do echo/call %%~na
pause&popd

When you've confirmed if and how the output works remove the echo/ and pause& and you're good to go.

Thanks guys!

Can CALL execute a certain defined LABEL of a batch only instead of the whole batch file?

Yes, CALL accepts LABELs as a target. Type CALL /? at a command prompt for more information.

Yes, basically you use CALL MyBatch to call another batch file and CALL :MyLabel to do as you asked. The last command under your label should preferably say GOTO :EOF, to pass the command back to the next command after CALL :MyLabel.

• Example
  

@ECHO OFF

ECHO. THIS IS MY FIRST ECHO COMMAND

CALL :SECOND

ECHO. THIS IS MY THIRD ECHO COMMAND

GOTO :ENDIT

:SECOND

ECHO. THIS IS MY SECOND ECHO COMMAND

GOTO :EOF

:ENDIT

ECHO. THIS IS THE END, GOODBYE

PAUSE

EXIT

Yes, CALL accepts LABELs as a target. Type CALL /? at a command prompt for more information.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, basically you use CALL MyBatch to call another batch file and CALL :MyLabel to do as you asked. The last command under your label should preferably say GOTO :EOF, to pass the command back to the next command after CALL :MyLabel.

• Example
  

@ECHO OFF

ECHO. THIS IS MY FIRST ECHO COMMAND

CALL :SECOND

ECHO. THIS IS MY THIRD ECHO COMMAND

GOTO :ENDIT

:SECOND

ECHO. THIS IS MY SECOND ECHO COMMAND

GOTO :EOF

:ENDIT

ECHO. THIS IS THE END, GOODBYE

PAUSE

EXIT

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, that wasn't in my mind. I asked the wrong question. The question should be put in this manner:

I have a batch file with multiple LABELs, how do I execute certain LABEL from outside of the batch file? eg. command prompt, registry...........

command a

command b command c

all above in one batch file..

and u wanna call a from outside?

u think too much...

remember u are under dos... and single task not multitask platform...

I have a batch file with multiple LABELs, how do I execute certain LABEL from outside of the batch file? eg. command prompt, registry...........

You pass the label as a parameter:

BATCH1.CMD:

@ECHO OFF
CALL BATCH2.CMD 1stLABEL
pause
CALL BATCH2.CMD 2ndLABEL
:END

BATCH2.CMD

@ECHO OFF
::Following line checks for the parameter passed when calling the file, if it is not 
::passed by the calling (batch or command) it ends programs
IF %1.==. GOTO :END

GOTO %1

:1stLABEL
ECHO This is 1stLABEL
PAUSE
GOTO :END

:2ndLABEL
ECHO This is 2ndLABEL
PAUSE
GOTO :END

:END
ECHO This is END of BATCH2.CMD
PAUSE

jaclaz