[jdach]

I have command line exe file that converts one type of file (.sid) to another type (.jpg). It works well, but the only problem is it does not recognize wildcards, so I'm not able to convert many files at a time. Would it be possible to write a batch file that would somehow be able to populate the command line with each filename and the command for a given directory, thereby converting all files in a given directory?

Thanks in advance!

[Squashman]

Lots of great links on google.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=batch+rename

[drdrew1469]

If you want a simple 'batch file' you could use this instead of an exe.

-----------------
rename *.sid *.jpg
-----------------

Just put that in notepad, save it with a .bat extension and put it in the directory you want it to run in.

hth,

drew

[Mosaic1]

But he isn't renaming. I take it this is actually converting the files.

I am not a batch Guru but try something like this. Test on unimportant files first!

Copy the code below to notepad. Save as Copyit.bat

(
For %%A in ("*.txt") Do copy "%%A" Copies
)>>Report.txt 2>&1 

cls

To avoid a path statement, just put the batch into the same folder where you want to process files. For this example. Create a new Subfolder and name it Copies.

This will copy all txt files to the subfolder named Copies. It will also generate a report named report.txt with the results of the operation.

Report.txt will give you the name of the file and the status. 1 file copied.

Note the Parantheses. Without these around the command you would only get a list saying 1 files copied for each file. This gives you the name as well. I prefer it so we can doublecheck.

Substitute the name of your exe for copy when you do the real conversion. If that exe is in system32, Dos will find its path.


The 2>&1 is there so that any errors generated will be written to Report.txt as well. This assumes your program generates results.

Some do not. For example, if you use a batch to export a registry key using regedit, there is no feedback either good or bad if you redirect to a text file.

[Mosaic1]

This line:
)>>Report.txt 2>&1

That appends Report.txt so if you do it more than once in the same folder you have a complete record of all.

If you wnat to have just the results of the current run then change that line to this:
)>Report.txt 2>&1

[drdrew1469]

Originally Posted by Mosaic1

But he isn't renaming. I take it this is actually converting the files.

Good catch, I must have missed that (pretty important word that "converts)" That puts a damper on my solution. Hmmm...I'll have to think about this and try yours out. "Me brain hurt"

drew

[drdrew1469]

Just had a thought, but no time to try it out right now, maybe someone else will post code for my thoughts before I can. Use an IF EXIST to look for *.sid. If it finds any, have it CALL your conversion program and pass the filename to it. Do a LOOP until there are none left. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'll be back later.

drew