Error while searching for the latest file is a directory using a batch file

Question

I am trying to create a batch file to find the newest file in a directory. I am using the following commands in the batch:

call cd\
call d:
call cd "D:\OMS\Outbound\"
call for /f "tokens=* delims= " %%G in ('dir /b /od') do set newest=%%G
call pause

I am getting the error G was unexpected at this time.

Also I would like to ftp the newest file and will have to append "local:D:\OMS\Outbound\" before %%G in the following manner newest=local:D:\OMS\Outbound\%G. The code works just fine when run from command prompt but the batch file is not working.

first, remove all heading calls in every line.

Endoro
– Endoro

2013-06-19 09:47:36 +00:00
Commented Jun 19, 2013 at 9:47 — Endoro
– Endoro, Commented Jun 19, 2013 at 9:47

Endoro · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-19 09:54:20Z

3

cd /d "D:\OMS\Outbound"
for /f "delims=" %%G in ('dir /b /od') do set "newest=local:D:\OMS\Outbound\%%~G"
echo %newest%
pause

and remove other lines.

answered Jun 19, 2013 at 9:54

Endoro

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8 Comments

user2500290 Over a year ago

Thanks @Endoro. It worked. Could you please tell me why my commands did not give the required results?

Endoro Over a year ago

there is no need for call, see also call /? on the command line.

foxidrive Over a year ago

add /a-d to the DIR switches to stop any directory names being included.

foxidrive Over a year ago

That's ok. tokens= is most valuable when splitting up a string into sections. "delims=" takes the entire line. The ~ in %%~G is not needed here but it doesn't cause any issue. It's used to remove any surrounding double quotes on the variable.

foxidrive Over a year ago

You had conflicting commands with tokens=* and delims= ". While it may work, and only for filenames with no leading spaces, it was confusing syntax. Tokens=* strips leading whitespace.

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