Hi,
How do I assign the program output to a variable in a batch file?
I guessed it would be something like:
set MY_VAR = `type filename`
echo %MY_VAR%
I want to assign the one line that is in the file to be assigned to
MY_VAR.
Thanks,
Paul.
Sort of depends on precisely what you want to do.
(following examples are for use WITHIN a batch file - to execute direct from
the prompt, change each "%%" to "%" - and my sympathies to your typing
finger.)
If you want to assign the LAST line in a file to a variable, try
for /f "delims=" %%i in (filename.txt) do set varname=%%i
If you want to assign the FIRST line in a file to a variable, try
set varname=
for /f "delims=" %%i in (filename.txt) do if not defined varname set
varname=%%i
and if you want to assign an arbitrary line numbered line to the variable,
try
set varname=
for /f "skip=linenumberrequired-1,delims=" %%i in (filename.txt) do if not
defined varname set varname=%%i
Noting that for/f automatically disregards empty lines
If you actually want to assign a line from the output of a command, then
replace filename.txt with 'command command_parameters' - for instance, the
third line from a DIR /S /B command:
set varname=
for /f "skip=2,delims=" %%i in ('dir /s /b') do if not defined varname set
varname=%%i
noting the the single-quotes are REQUIRED.
There are of course more complex methods depending on quite what you want to
do. Newsgroup alt.msdos.batch.nt is a discussion group which tackles twisted
batch methods for NT/2K/XP... alt.msdos.batch for realDOS and 9x
HTH
....Bill
