BAT (or CMD) file properties

[Vic]

I am new to XP, working with it about two weeks so much is still foreign!
Noticed many BAT files which worked in DOS/Win9x need changing some considerably!

Questions:
1) does XP allow individual BAT files to have separate properties?
e.g. PROGRAM1.BAT (these properties)
PROGRAM2.BAT (different properties)
like the old PIF days

I cannot get this to happen. My BAT files load up ALL with the same title bar name (cmd) and properties set for one sets properties
for all! I am pulling the last bid of hair I have out of my head trying to get individual property settings for individual BAT
files!

2) Are CMD files (e.g. program1.cmd) scripted any different than the old BAT files?
- can same syntax be used, does cmd add further options, etc.

Thanks
Vic
___

 

[Wesley Vogel]

..cmd files (Windows NT Command Script) work like .bat files, but will not
work with non-NT operating systems.

Some old commands may not work, see...
New ways to do familiar tasks
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/dos_diffs.mspx

Or >>

New ways to do familiar tasks

Start | Run | Copy and paste the following line:

hh ntcmds.chm::/dos_diffs.htm

Click OK.

Scroll down to Unavailable MS-DOS Commands
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program information file (PIF)
[[A file that provides information to Windows about how best to run
MS-DOS-based programs.
When you start an MS-DOS-based program, Windows looks for a PIF to use with
it. PIFs contain such items as the name of the file, a start-up directory,
and multitasking options.]]

If you start a 16-bit program from a command prompt window, the PIF settings
won't be used.

PIFs are nothing more than custom startup files for MS-DOS-based programs.
PIFs allow you to setup custom settings for each 16-bit program
individually. You can even create two PIFs for each program if you want to
have to different seetings for each program.

There is a whole bunch of info in Help and Support about PIFs, type pif in
the Search box to see them.

All of the following is from Help and Support (even though I included online
links).

[[A program information file (PIF) is created when you create a shortcut to,
or modify the properties of, an MS-DOS-based program. PIFs allow you to set
default properties for MS-DOS programs, such as font size, screen colors,
and memory allocation.

When you change any settings in an MS-DOS-based program, a PIF is
automatically created. The settings you specify will be used each time you
start the program by double-clicking its icon. If you start the program from
a command prompt window, these settings won't be used.

Creating a program information file (PIF) for an MS-DOS-based program
creates a shortcut to the program executable. All the settings saved in the
PIF file are contained in the shortcut. Windows displays PIF files as
shortcuts. ]]
from...
Using PIF files
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_pif_create.mspx

[[Creating separate program information files (PIFs) for shortcuts to MS-DOS
programs allows you to save different settings and formatting, which will
automatically be used when you start the program from the shortcut. ]]
from...
To set up two shortcuts for an MS-DOS program
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../all/proddocs/en-us/windows_dos_two_pifs.mspx

[[Creating a program information file (PIF) for an MS-DOS-based program
creates a shortcut to the program executable. All the settings saved in the
PIF file are contained in the shortcut. ]]
from...
To create or change a program information file (PIF)
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...all/proddocs/en-us/windows_dos_configure.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In