Using Batch Files with the FOR Batch Command (43075)



The information in this article applies to:
    Microsoft MS-DOS operating system

This article was previously published under Q43075

SUMMARY

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

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

Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 9/30/2003
Keywords: KB43075