This chapter introduces
what anyone can do with batch files because everyone has access to these features. Batch files
can be quite powerful. This chapter helps you build these skills:
? Create a new command interpreter and configure it
? Perform basic command line tasks
? Create batch files
? Test batch files
It??™s your turn to try writing batch files. Start simply. Try writing batch files to configure the command
line to meet specific needs. You might try something as simple as changing the color of the
command line to match your mood on a given day. The point is to try simple concepts first and
work your way up to more complex goals. With the right tools, you can automate a considerable
number of the tasks you need to perform each day to administrate a network or even work with a
single machine.
As powerful as batch files can be in the right hands, they can??™t perform some basic programming
tasks. A batch file limits you to the resources of the commands and utilities available from the command
prompt. Chapter 6 shows the next step in automating the command prompt??”the use of
scripts. A script can provide better programming support and you can even obtain a certain level
of debugging for scripts.
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