http://forum.sysinternals.com/batch-file-problems-with-xp_topic13569.html
I am trying to convert a batch file script I wrote for Windows 98SE to run under XP however I've encountered a really annoying problem and not entirely sure how to fix it.
My script starts by drag and dropping a file to the shortcut (the batch file) on my desktop. The batch file then evaluates %1 if null it runs notepad to edit itself otherwise it continues to run the rest of commands. The code seems to fail under XP if the filename + path passed to %1 contains spaces but not under 98SE since it generates short file names with drag and drop. To illustrate the problem I wrote a simple batch file called test.bat
Running test.bat >test.bat nothing was passed >test.bat test found this - test >test.bat test "C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\procexp.exe" and was unexpected at this time. "and was unexpected at this time." - and what is that supposed to mean?? Any suggestions?? Richard S. | |
molotov
Moderator Group Joined: 04 October 2006 Status: Offline Points: 17492 | Post Options
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Hi Richard,
Try:
test.bat "hamster chicken goat"
You'll get "chicken was unexpected at this time".
Try changing it to:
if "%%1" == "" goto null
(add an extra '%').
Edited by molotov - 07 February 2008 at 2:52pm | |
Daily affirmation:
net helpmsg 4006 | |
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http://support.microsoft.com/kb/75634
Percent Signs Stripped from Batch File Text
This article was previously published under Q75634
SUMMARY
Using a percent sign (%) in a batch file requires that two percent signs (%%) be...
Using a percent sign (%) in a batch file requires that two percent signs (%%) be specified.
For example, the command to display "5%" from a batch file would be :
For example, the command to display "5%" from a batch file would be :
ECHO 5%%
MORE INFORMATION
MS-DOS uses %1, %2, ... %9 as replaceable command line parameters. For example,...
MS-DOS uses %1, %2, ... %9 as replaceable command line parameters. For example, before executing the command ECHO %1, %1 will be replaced with the first parameter passed to the batch file. %0 is replaced with the command used to execute the batch file.
A single percent sign on a line is treated as a "nul" character in a batch file. For example:
If a command contains two percent signs, MS-DOS will treat any characters between them as an environment variable to be expanded. For example, if the SET command shows that the current environment variables are
then
If there are no characters between the two percent signs, one percent sign is stripped off and the other will remain. This is why a FOR command that echos the name of each file with a .COM extension would be
but if the same command is placed in a batch file, the following is required:
Reference(s):
"Microsoft MS-DOS Batch File Quick Reference," Microsoft Press.
A single percent sign on a line is treated as a "nul" character in a batch file. For example:
ECHO % is processed as ECHO ECHO a%b is processed as ECHO ab
COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM PATH=C:\DOS PROMPT=$P$G B=C
ECHO %PATH% is processed as ECHO C:\DOS ECHO a%b% is processed as ECHO aC ECHO a%b b%a is processed as ECHO aa
FOR %V IN (*.COM) DO ECHO %V
FOR %%V IN (*.COM) DO ECHO %%V
"Microsoft MS-DOS Batch File Quick Reference," Microsoft Press.
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft MS-DOS 3.1
- Microsoft MS-DOS 3.2 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 3.21 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 3.3 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 3.3a
- Microsoft MS-DOS 4.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 4.01 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0a
- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.2 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.21 Standard Edition
- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 Standard Edition
Keywords: | KB75634 |