Why does batch treat an array entry different from singular? - arrays

Question

I have the following (simplified etc):
#echo off
set searchStr="AAAA"
set workingPaths[0]="C:\Docs\Me\"
set x=0
::Loop1
if defined workingPaths[%x%] (
set currPath=%%workingPaths[%x%]%%
rem set currPath="C:\Docs\Me\"
call echo Searching in: %currPath%
for %%f in (%currPath%*.doc*) do (
findstr /s /m /I /c:%searchStr% "%%f"
)
set /a x+=1
GOTO :Loop1
)
It works perfectly fine if I were to switch the currPath to a singular assignment (where rem is currently), but won't work if the currPath is assigned out of the array.
The subsequent echo is identical regardless of whether currPath is set from the array or the singular assignment.
Anyone any ideas where I'm going wrong? Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I would perform this task a little differently, in that I'd try to better utilise the built-in options of findstr.exe. I would build a listing of the workingPaths and pass those to a single findstr.exe instance, using its /D option.
Example:
#Echo Off
SetLocal EnableExtensions DisableDelayedExpansion
Rem Script defined variables [please do not modify].
For /F "Delims==" %%G In ('"(Set workingPaths[) 2>NUL"') Do Set "%%G="
Set "findStr=%SystemRoot%\System32\findstr.exe"
Set "dirList="
Rem User defined variables [modify as necessary]
Set "searchStr=AAAA"
Set "searchGlob=*.doc"
Set "workingPaths[0]=C:\Docs\Me"
Set "workingPaths[1]=C:\Users\Me\Documents"
Set "workingPaths[2]=C:\Users\Me\Desktop"
Rem Directory list builder [please do not modify]
For /F "Tokens=1,* Delims==" %%G In ('"(Set workingPaths[) 2>NUL"'
) Do If Not Defined dirList (Set "dirList="%%~H"") Else (
SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion
For /F "UseBackQ Delims=" %%I In ('"!dirList!"') Do (EndLocal
Set "dirList=%%~I;"%%~H""))
If Not Defined dirList Exit /B
Rem Main search command [please do not modify]
%findStr% /D:%dirList% /I /L /M /S "%searchStr%" "%searchGlob%"
Rem Optional commands for GUI usage puposes only [remove as necessary]
Pause
GoTo :EOF

Answer 2

I changed
set currPath=%%workingPaths[%x%]%%
to
set currPath=!workingPaths[%x%]!
and its working... albeit it doesn't seem to like iterating the last array entry ('cos I was stupid and typo'd it!).
Leaving a final working solution of:
#echo off
set searchStr="AAAA"
set workingPaths[0]="C:\Docs\Me\"
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
set x=0
::Loop1
if defined workingPaths[%x%] (
set currPath=!workingPaths[%x%]!
rem set currPath="C:\Docs\Me\"
call echo Searching in: %currPath%
for %%f in (%currPath%*.doc*) do (
findstr /s /m /I /c:%searchStr% "%%f"
)
set /a x+=1
GOTO :Loop1
)