Q43075: Using Batch Files with the FOR Batch Command

Article: Q43075
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 18-NOV-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 
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SUMMARY
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If a batch file is used as the command in a FOR batch command, the FOR batch
command only calls the batch file once. The following interactive example
executes ONE.BAT for item "a", then stops:

   FOR %i IN (a b c d) DO one %i

In a batch file, use two percent examples. The change in the example above is as
follows:

   FOR %%i IN (a b c d) DO one %%i

MORE INFORMATION
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In Microsoft the MS-DOS packaged product, the CALL command can be used to
repeatedly execute the batch file with the FOR batch command. The above
interactive example is changed to the following:

   FOR %i IN (a b c d) DO CALL one %i

This example executes ONE.BAT for each item in the list.

In releases of MS-DOS earlier than version 3.30, this can be done by spawning
COMMAND.COM with the /C switch and letting it execute the batch file. The above
interactive example is changed to the following:

   FOR %i IN (a b c d) DO COMMAND /C ONE %i

Additional query words: 6.22 3.x 4.00 4.01 5.00 5.00a 6.00 6.20

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch
Version           : MS-DOS:

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