Category : Batch File Utilities - mostly for DOS
Archive   : ABFS.ZIP
Filename : ADVBAT99.TXT

Advanced Batch File Course - Summary

o To use BATCH files effectively you must:

- Know DOS thoroughly, e.g. Piping, Wildcards, PATH & APPEND Etc.

- Apply KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

-- BATCH files run S-L-O-W-L-Y ... Keep Them Short & In RAM
-- BATCH files are PROGRAMS ... Complex Ones Have BUGS!
-- BATCH files have little "elegance" ... Use Power Languages for Power
-- BATCH files often are "silent" ... What the @#!? happened here?
-- BATCH files can be Dressed Up ... If You Pay the Price!

- COMBINE "Programs" with BATCH files for Mutual Benefit

o Experiment and USE the Language, Its FREE and Not TOO Dangerous!

-- You can EDIT "piped" DIR's, dBASE printouts, etc. quickly to
create .BAT files for long-running, tedious input chores such as
backing up files, downloading mainframe datasets etc. etc.

-- BATCH files can CREATE 'programs' or other BATCH files using ECHO

and other DOS techniques. AND, if the output is a .BAT file,
the "creator" can EXECUTE the new "Program" too!

-- PROGRAMS can create or edit .BAT files, whether or not the .BAT
file is already "running". This allows a great deal of power,
and done properly, can automate "dreadful" tasks, or provide
"nice" interfaces etc. and do so WITHOUT "Ram Cram" problems!

-- Yes, we showed you that you can write "Worms" with batch files,
and (conceivably) even Viruses, but the real problem is to avoid
creating a BUG FACTORY when the slightest thing goes wrong! The
answer is (1) Knowledge; (2) Planning; (3) Believe Murphy's Law!

PRACTICE "Defensive Programming" with BATCH files and ALL Languages!