Changes

===Making a Windows Batch File===

===Making a Windows Batch File===

To create a Windows Batch file, only a plain text editor is required.  Windows Notepad is sufficient, but programs such as [[Notepad++]] can be easier to use.  As soon as possible, the new batch file should be saved.  The name can be just about anything, but the [[file extension]] must be .bat or .com which can be done right in the Save As dialog box of older [[Operating system|systems]].  In newer systems ([[Windows Vista]] and later) this can be more difficult.  The creator must either set their operating system to show all file extensions, or use a program to rename this file.  Often, the "ren" command in command prompt is used for this purpose.

To create a Windows Batch file, only a plain text editor is required.  Windows Notepad is sufficient, but programs such as [[Notepad++]] can be easier to use.  As soon as possible, the new batch file should be saved.  The name can be just about anything, but the [[file extension]] must be .bat or .com which can be done right in the Save As dialog box of older [[Operating system|systems]].  In newer systems ([[Windows Vista]] and later) this can be more difficult.  The creator must either set their operating system to show all file extensions, or use a program to rename this file.  Often, the "ren" command in command prompt is used for this purpose.

Once the file is created and associated, the commands must be entered in order of execution.  Note that there is not way for a single CMD process to perform multiple commands simultaneously.  To find appropriate commands, the <code>help</code> command may be entered.  Once an appropriate command is found, that command may be typed into command prompt followed by <code>/?</code> to retrieve further information an options.

Once the file is created and associated, the commands must be entered in order of execution.  Note that there is not way for a single CMD process to perform multiple commands simultaneously.  To find appropriate commands, the <code>help</code> command may be entered.  Once an appropriate command is found, that command may be typed into command prompt followed by <code>/?</code> to retrieve further information and options.

 

===Variables===

===Variables===

Variables are essential to almost every program.  While a batch file is not actually a program, it still offers them.  To set a variable, use something like <code>set varibleName=hi</code>.  Now to access that variable, use <code>%varibleName%</code>, which will be replaced with "hi" in this case.

Variables are essential to almost every program.  While a batch file is not actually a program, it still offers them.  To set a variable, use something like <code>set varibleName=hi</code>.  Now to access that variable, use <code>%varibleName%</code>, which will be replaced with "hi" in this case.