Why change of sequence in cmd command gives different result? - batch-file

I'm new in using cmd and batch script. Here is what I was trying to do with a .bat file.
go to a folder
open that folder in file explorer
open that folder in vscode
start Firefox browser
Sequence doesn't matter here. Doing these tasks in any sequence is fine.
Here are the commands that I initially wrote
cd/
E:
cd folder1/folder2/folder3
code .
start .
start firefox
But with these commands the result I got is
Only vscode started with the folder I wanted to open with vscode
File explorer and Firefox was not starting
cmd.exe continued to run. But it seems like it only executed upto code . command
When I closed vscode, cmd.exe would be closed with it too
Then I changed the sequence of the commands as below
cd/
E:
cd folder1/folder2/folder3
start .
start firefox
code .
This time everything worked as expected. I've looked up documentation for start command but didn't find anything(or maybe I didn't understand) about start . command.
Can anyone explain me why the result changed when I changed the sequence of the commands?

As already mentioned in the comments, code is really a batch file, code.cmd.
If your VSCode installer added a location to your %PATH%, take a look there and you should see code.cmd in that \bin directory.
When you run a batch file from another, if you want control to pass back to the initial script upon completion, you need to run it using the call command.
#CD /D "E:\folder1\folder2\folder3" 2>NUL || Exit /B
#Call "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft VS Code\bin\code.cmd" .
#Start "" "%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe" .
#Start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
If you do not want robust code, and wish to assume file extensions and environment settings, the above could be simplified to this:
#CD /D E:\folder1\folder2\folder3
#Call code .
#Start explorer .
#Start firefox

Related

How to run batches NOT using cmd.exe (like Cmder.exe?)

I've recently installed cmder (or simply 'Commander') portable console emulator for windows, and really like the functionalities it comes with. But how can you (if at all) run batches through it like you can with the Windows command line?
The details:
If you write...
cd C:\test\
REM executeSomething.exe
Pause
... to a textfile and save it as a .bat file you can do can do pretty much anything just by double-clicking that file. I've got a work-flow where I launch a web-application through a batch file. Sometimes this applicaton launches automatically in Chrome, and sometimes it does not. In that case, I'll have to copy and paste a URL to Chrome manually. And that's a real pain. With cmder.exe that's much easier, but I'll have to manually navigate to a folder and start the application through Commander it manually without the luxury of a .bat file.
The functionality I'm trying to run automatically with cmder.exe is simply changing a folder and starting an executable file, specifically Jupyter Lab:
cd C:\jupyterlab\
jupyter lab
Pause
I've tried various approaches with:
#echo off
set CMDER_ROOT=C:\Cmder
start %CMDER_ROOT%\vendor\conemu-maximus5\ConEmu.exe /icon "%CMDER_ROOT%\cmder.exe" /title "Homestead VM" /loadcfgfile "%CMDER_ROOT%\config\ConEmu.xml" /cmd cmd /k "%CMDER_ROOT%\vendor\init.bat cd %CD% && %~1"
as described here, but with no success. The example above does launch commander, but also raises a syntax error:
Current directory: C:\batches
Command to be executed: "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe" /k
"C:\Cmder\vendor\init.bat cd C:\batches && "
I'm obviously on to somehting here since I'm able to start Commander, but I'm not sure how to edit the remaining code to run the necessary steps. I do realize that the /title "Homestead VM" part just edits the title of the Commander window:
but I have no idea about the rest.
If this just isn't possible, I'm going to have to try to reassociate .bat files in Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a filetype, but I'm hoping to avoid that.
Thank you for any suggestions!
System info:
Windows 7, 64 bit
Commander v1.3.12
Edit 1: My (failed) attempt trying to follow a suggestion from Gerhard Barnard
I've saved a file named please.cmd to C:\Windows\System32 that contains this:
#echo off
if not defined CMDER_ROOT set "CMDER_ROOT=C:\Cmder"
start %CMDER_ROOT%\vendor\conemu-maximus5\ConEmu.exe /icon "%CMDER_ROOT%\cmder.exe" /title "Homestead VM" /loadcfgfile "%CMDER_ROOT%\config\ConEmu.xml" /cmd cmd /k "%CMDER_ROOT%\vendor\init.bat cd %CD% && %~1"
I've also saved a file named SObatch.bat in C:\batches that contains this:
if not defined myComs set myComs=0 && please %~0
#echo off
ping localhost
echo %userprofile%
pause
Upon double-clicking SObatch.bat a Windows prompt is opened, and the pings are run:
I just narrowed the window to leave out real-world user-names. But the ping functions are being run and the usual responses are returned.
So I guess it still seems that I've broken something.
Create a file called please.cmd and save it to C:\Windows\System32 as administrator. It should then exist as c:\Windows\System32\please.cmd
#echo off
if not defined CMDER_ROOT set "CMDER_ROOT=C:\Cmder"
start %CMDER_ROOT%\vendor\conemu-maximus5\ConEmu.exe /icon "%CMDER_ROOT%\cmder.exe" /title "Homestead VM" /loadcfgfile "%CMDER_ROOT%\config\ConEmu.xml" /cmd cmd /k "%CMDER_ROOT%\vendor\init.bat cd %CD% && %*"
Now when you create a batch files you need to make some changes in the top of each batch file you want. You would need to add the below line to the very top of the script.
"%systemroot%\system32\please.cmd" "%~f0" && goto :eof
You can also from cmd please command to launch it from the cmder shell. Example:
please ping localhost

Copy file from directory to another using cmd command

I want to copy a file from sharing folder to another using cmd command ".bat file"
the below code works normally with most files except MS Access files the "accde" extension so, please advise.
MKDIR "\\192.168.0.110\Attendance Sheet\JTA\events\events_media\SysFile"
XCopy /y/z "\\192.168.0.110\Attendance Sheet\JTA\events\events_media\db.accde"
"\\192.168.0.110\Attendance Sheet\JTA\events\events_media\SysFile"
Run this code to have the command execute in the background so that you can continue to work from the command line while it is running:
start /min xcopy /y /z "sourcefile" "destination"
Actually, the command is running in a minimized window of it's own - you can see it popping up in the taskbar. But from a user's perspective it's the same as running "in the background".

Create a batch file to run an .exe with an additional parameter

I need a batch file which will do the following:
1. Open CMD and navigate to a location C:/Users/...../program.exe
2. Run the program.exe with an additional command to point it to a config file:
e.g. "program.exe C:/Users/..../configFile.bgi"
How can I do this?
I tried this but with no luck:
start "C:\Users\Ben\Desktop\BGInfo\bginfo.exe C:\Users\Ben\Desktop\BGInfo\dc_bginfo.bgi"
pause
Update
I've used the solution provided by Ganesh (below) and came up with this:
cd C:\Users\Ben\Desktop\BGInfo\
bginfo.exe C:\Users\Ben\Desktop\BGInfo\dc_bginfo.bgi
I've tested it on a local machine (changing the directories) but on the server (with the directory above) it does not work...
The folder directory with batch file:
The error
in batch file abc.bat
cd c:\user\ben_dchost\documents\
executible.exe -flag1 -flag2 -flag3
I am assuming that your executible.exe is present in c:\user\ben_dchost\documents\
I am also assuming that the parameters it takes are -flag1 -flag2 -flag3
Edited:
For the command you say you want to execute, do:
cd C:\Users\Ben\Desktop\BGInfo\
bginfo.exe dc_bginfo.bgi
pause
Hope this helps
You can use
start "" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo\bginfo.exe" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo\dc_bginfo.bgi"
or
start "" /D "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo" bginfo.exe dc_bginfo.bgi
or
"%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo\bginfo.exe" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo\dc_bginfo.bgi"
or
cd /D "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo"
bginfo.exe dc_bginfo.bgi
Help on commands start and cd is output by executing in a command prompt window help start or start /? and help cd or cd /?.
But I do not understand why you need a batch file at all for starting the application with the additional parameter. Create a shortcut (*.lnk) on your desktop for this application. Then right click on the shortcut, left click on Properties and append after a space character "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\BGInfo\dc_bginfo.bgi" as parameter.
Found another solution for the same. It will be more helpful.
START C:\"Program Files (x86)"\Test\"Test Automation"\finger.exe ConfigFile="C:\Users\PCName\Desktop\Automation\Documents\Validation_ZoneWise_Default.finger.Config"
finger.exe is a parent program that is calling config solution.
Note: if your path folder name consists of spaces, then do not forget to add "".

batch not copying file to new location in new cmd window

i need to create a file as if i was the browser for a qa test. I figure if i copy and rename cmd.exe i can execute commands and the process will be the browser and complete my criteria for the test. i need to do this via a batch script. Below is my attempt at getting something to run as if it was from the browser.
my issue is the command is not creating the file in the directory like it should be. The dir command shows the directory as being empty even though as far as i can tell, everything worked correctly. There are no error logs or alerts. why can i not copy this file?
thanks!
copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\firefox.exe
md %userprofile%\AppData\Local\test12
start %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\firefox.exe \C copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe %userprofile%\AppData\Local\test12\Test12.exe
dir %userprofile%\AppData\Local\test12\
If you try to use /K in stead of \C (the slash is wrong here) the cmd.exe (firefox.exe) will show you any errors that occured :
This works fine here:
start /WAIT %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\firefox.exe /K copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe %userprofile%\AppData\Local\test12\Test12.exe

How do I execute cmd commands through a batch file?

I want to write a batch file that will do following things in given order:
Open cmd
Run cmd command cd c:\Program files\IIS Express
Run cmd command iisexpress /path:"C:\FormsAdmin.Site" /port:8088 /clr:v2.0
Open Internet Explorer 8 with URL= http://localhost:8088/default.aspx
Note: The cmd window should not be closed after executing the commands.
I tried start cmd.exe /k "cd\ & cd ProgramFiles\IIS Express", but it is not solving my purpose.
So, make an actual batch file: open up notepad, type the commands you want to run, and save as a .bat file. Then double click the .bat file to run it.
Try something like this for a start:
c:\
cd c:\Program files\IIS Express
start iisexpress /path:"C:\FormsAdmin.Site" /port:8088 /clr:v2.0
start http://localhost:8088/default.aspx
pause
I think the correct syntax is:
cmd /k "cd c:\<folder name>"
This fixes some issues with Blorgbeard's answer (but is untested):
#echo off
cd /d "c:\Program files\IIS Express"
start "" iisexpress /path:"C:\FormsAdmin.Site" /port:8088 /clr:v2.0
timeout 10
start http://localhost:8088/default.aspx
pause
cmd /c "command" syntax works well. Also, if you want to include an executable that contains a space in the path, you will need two sets of quotes.
cmd /c ""path to executable""
and if your executable needs a file input with a space in the path a another set
cmd /c ""path to executable" -f "path to file""
#echo off
title Command Executer
color 1b
echo Command Executer by: YourNameHere
echo #################################
: execute
echo Please Type A Command Here:
set /p cmd=Command:
%cmd%
goto execute
start cmd /k "your cmd command1"
start cmd /k "your cmd command2"
It works in Windows server2012 while I use these command in one batch file.
cmd /k cd c:\
is the right answer
I was trying to run a couple of batch files parallely at startup, if a condition was true.
For this I made a parent batch file which should have checked for the condition and invoke the other child batch files if the condition was true.
I tried to achieve it via START but it gave me an empty black command prompt running in the directory of children batch files, instead of running the children batch files themselves
The thing which worked for me was by using a combination of START and CALL
As an example
condition ...
start call "C:\Users\Amd\conn\wsl_setup - conn1.bat"
start call "C:\Users\Amd\conn\wsl_setup - conn2.bat"
start call "C:\Users\Amd\conn\wsl_setup - conn3.bat"
I know DOS and cmd prompt DOES NOT LIKE spaces in folder names. Your code starts with
cd c:\Program files\IIS Express
and it's trying to go to c:\Program in stead of C:\"Program Files"
Change the folder name and *.exe name. Hope this helps

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