Batch files

MS-DOS has facility of combining one or more instructions into a file which can be activated and implemented successively. Such a text file having extension .BAT which stores the instructions is known as batch file.

If we activate a batch file, the operating system reads the separate command and executes these in the given order of sequence.

Creating a batch file

The COPY CON command enables us to create a batch file.

Example 1

C:\>COPY CON SCHOOL.BAT  (press enter key)

Example 2

C:\>COPY CON DILASHA.BAT ( press enter key)

ECHO 

ECHO command used in a batch file switches the display of the instruction and commentary on and off along with the text.

ECHO ON : Displays instruction.

ECHO OFF : Does not display but execute instructions.

If you do not want to display the ECHO command itself place the at sign (i.e. @) in front of ECHO OFF. The batch file can be run with its name (extension is optional)

Example 3

C:\.COPY CON LEARNBAT.BAT  ( press enter key )

It allows you to create the batch file LEARNBAT.