Commodore PC - Page 173

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4 Batch Processing
y ) In this chapter you will learn:
■ How to create a batch file
() ■ How an autoexec, bat file works
■ How to use replaceable parameters in a batch file
—^ ■ How to run a batch file
■ How to do multitasking with batch files
f) Note If you are not writing batch programs you do not need to
•-' read this chapter.
Why Use Batch Files?
You may often find yourself repeatedly typing the same sequence
of commands to perform some common task. With ms-dos you can
^m%^ put this command sequence into a special file called a batch file,
( \ and then run the whole sequence of commands by simply typing
the name of the batch file. Note that you don't need to type the
batch file's extension, even though all your batch files must
(*"*} include the .bat extension in their filenames.
ms-dos performs these "batches" of your commands just as if you
had typed them from the keyboard. This is called batch process-
f^ ing. By using a batch file, you only have to remember to type one
command, instead of several. In effect, you use batch files to
create personalized commands.
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_ How to Create Batch Files
You can create a batch file by using edlin, the ms-dos line editor,
or by using the copy command. If you want to create files with
r**^ edlin, you should refer to Chapters 6 and 7 for more information.
The examples in this chapter show you how to use the copy
command to create batch files.
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