Modifying variable in a for loop batch file

Question

Hi I'm trying to make a batch file that digs thru a directory and checks if all the files in its sub-directories are the same as in another directory (with the same name and same sub-directory names)

ex:

C:/Users/Administrator/desktop/directory1/global/config/project.config

C:/directory2/global/config/project.config

I'm able to fetch all the files that need to be compared with a for loop The echo %%f gives me a path like:

C:/Users/Administrator/directory1/global/config/project.config

But I want to remove the beginning and store it in a new variable so I can easily compare files with an FC command. I don't know how to correctly do a string substitution when in a for loop. I want to get just this:

/global/config/project.config

my code for now

set b="c:\Users\Administrator\desktop\"
set j=""
for /f %%f in ('dir /a:-d /s /b /r c:\Users\Administrator\desktop\global') do (
set c=%%f
%c:b=j%
echo %%c
)

Strong suggestion: DON'T do this with a .bat file. Use a VBScript, or Powershell. Or Python or Perl. Or C# or VB.Net. Anything but DOS .bat files. You'll be much happier - and much more productive - in the long run. IMHO... — paulsm4
– paulsm4, Commented Oct 10, 2013 at 17:29
PS: If you really must, this might help: dostips.com/DtTipsStringManipulation.php — paulsm4
– paulsm4, Commented Oct 10, 2013 at 17:31
I agree... But I'm expanding an already existing batch file... I don't want to start launching other stuff thru this .bat I could create a .vbs in temp and insert the code lines thru the bat file but I want to stay kosher and stick with dos commands. — MangO_O
– MangO_O, Commented Oct 10, 2013 at 17:45
you need setlocal enableDelayedExpansion -> ss64.com/nt/delayedexpansion.html — npocmaka
– npocmaka, Commented Oct 10, 2013 at 18:19
how do you get only the path without the filename after? I tried doing this but doesnt work set "j=!file_path:%dir1%=%dir2%!" then echo !~pj! — MangO_O
– MangO_O, Commented Oct 11, 2013 at 15:01

npocmaka · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-10 18:20:44Z

3

@echo off
set "dir1=c:\smth"
set "dir2=c:\dir\smth2"

setlocal enableDelyaedExpansion
for /f %%F in ('dir  /a:-d /s /b /r "%dir1%"') do (
  set "file_path=%%F"
  if not exist "!file_path:%dir1%=%dir2%!" (
     echo file %%F does not exists in %dir2% 
  )
)
endlocal

edited Oct 10, 2013 at 18:20

answered Oct 10, 2013 at 18:14

npocmaka

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Comments

Ishank Shah · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-06 17:30:34Z

0

The better way to use a call function

setlocal enableDelyaedExpansion
for /f %%F in ('dir  /a:-d /s /b /r "%dir1%"') do call :foo %%F

:foo 
set "file_path=%1"
if not exist "!file_path:%dir1%=%dir2%!" (
echo file %1 does not exists in %dir2% 
)

answered Nov 6, 2013 at 17:30

Ishank Shah

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