Q66292: Reading Text Files into MS-DOS Environment Variables

Article: Q66292
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): msdos
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01, 5.0, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
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SUMMARY
=======

This article describes the several steps needed to use the results of a query
(using the FIND filter) as a replaceable parameter in a one or more batch files.
A use for this would be to search for a specific file and then perform some
action on or with this file. The file could then be used in one or more batch
files as a replaceable parameter.

MORE INFORMATION
================

First, you need to set up a one-line file with the partial command

  set varname=

with no carriage return (CR) or linefeed (LF) at the end (this can be done with
COPY CON by pressing CTRL+Z after the equal sign [=] and pressing ENTER).

The file would look like this on the screen:

  C:\>COPY CON INIT.TXT
  SET VARNAME=^Z

The following steps can be issued from the MS-DOS command prompt or from within a
batch file:

1. Search for a single directory entry and place the results in a text file.

     dir | find "dos" > textfile

2. Append the two files into one batch file using the COPY command as follows:

     copy init.txt+textfile varset.bat

3. Place the contents of the text file in a variable by running VARSET.BAT.

VARSET.BAT sets an environment variable equal to the directory entry found
earlier. This allows the environment variable to be used as a replaceable
parameter in later batch files. VARSET.BAT can be called from the command prompt
or from within another batch file.

NOTE: This process works for directory names only if MS-DOS 5.0 or 6.0 is being
used. Under MS-DOS 5.0 and 6.0, the /B switch must be used when you are
searching for a directory name. The following is an example of searching for a
directory under MS-DOS 5.0 or 6.0.

  dir /b | find "dos5" > textfile

NOTE: There is still a 127-character limit to the length of this variable, which
includes the variable name and equal sign (=).

Additional query words: 6.22 3.x 4.x 5.00 5.00a 6.00 6.20

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Keywords          : msdos 
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401
Version           : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.0,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

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