Batch script to read input text file and build output command - batch-file

Question

I have a batch file that will run csc using a file as input. I want to modify it to read references from a file, and add them to the line that is executed when the script runs.
I've tried a few different things but can't seem to get it work. The references are added with /r: and then each reference path has semi-colon as a separator.
Ideally, I'd like to just have a reference on a new line in the text file. The ref.txt file is in the same directory as the input file, and I'm not sure if it was looking in this directory or not. I also want to make it attempt to run without the ref.txt file, so I added the exists line to do this. I've never used batch scripting before, so maybe someone else knows how to do this better than me. I think that the first line needs to match the start line, which I tried to do in other attempts, but it wasn't working.
The script works in Notepad++, and was from this answer. I think now that the run command also needs to be modified.
This is the run command in Notepad++:
C:\bin\csc.bat "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)\$(NAME_PART).exe" "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)"
This is the version from that answer:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc /out:%1 %2
#echo off
if errorlevel 1 (
pause
exit
)
start %1 %1
This is an attempt to use references:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc /out:%1 %2
#echo off
if errorlevel 1 (
pause
exit
)
if not exist ref.txt GOTO :write
set a = /r:
set refs = type ref.txt
start %1 %a% and %refs% and %1
exit
write
start %1 %1
The refs.txt file contains file paths like this:
C:\windows\some_path\some_file.dll;C:\windows\some_path\another_file.dll;
An example command from Microsoft is:
csc /t:exe /r:MyCodeLibrary.dll;NewLib.dll *.cs

Answer 1

IIUR you are trying to apply the refs to the compiled exe not to csc itself.
You need to adapt the path to the ref.txt file
:: Q:\Test\2019\01\25\SO_54360791.cmd
#echo off & Setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
Set CSC="C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc.exe"
Set Ref=".\ref.txt"
if exist %Ref% (
<%Ref% Set /p "refs="
set "refs=/r:!refs!"
) else set "refs="
%CSC% %refs% /out:%1 %2
if errorlevel 1 (
pause
exit
)
sample (echoed) output
> SO_54360791.cmd new.exe source.cs
"C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc.exe" /r:C:\windows\some_path\some_file.dll;C:\windows\some_path\another_file.dll; /out:new.exe source.cs
I'm not sure if the trailing semicolon in your sample ref.txt will work.
EDIT: Variant with ref.txt file containing quoted pathes with trailing semiclon
:: Q:\Test\2019\01\25\SO_54360791.cmd
#echo off & Setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
Set CSC="C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc.exe"
Set Ref=".\ref.txt"
Set "refs="
if not exist %Ref% goto :cont
set "refs=/r:"
for /f "usebackq delims=" %%A in (%Ref%) Do set "refs=!refs!%%A"
:cont
echo %CSC% %refs% /out:%1 %2
if errorlevel 1 (
pause
exit
)
goto :Eof
sample (echoed) output
> SO_54360791.cmd new.exe source.cs
"C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc.exe" /r:"C:\windows\some_path\some_file.dll";"C:\windows\some_path\another_file.dll"; /out:new.exe source.cs