how to use a nested variable in echo command

Question

How can I write to use two nested variables at once, like an array? I am trying to make a number of variables specified by the user (array indexes from 1 up to that number) and their names are also specified by the user (array name), but when I do this nothing is returned. Can anyone help me please?

echo how many people?
set /p number=
echo.
echo.
for /l %%a in (1,1,%number%) do (
    echo name of %%a person
    set /p s%%a =
    echo.
    echo.
    echo.
    if %%a==%number% (
        echo names are
        pause
        for /l %%n in (1,1,%number%) do (
            echo name %%n is %s%%a%
        )
    )
)

Besides missing delayed expansion, you must remove the space in front of the = sign in set /p s%%a = for it not to become part of the variable name... — aschipfl
– aschipfl, Commented Jan 6, 2017 at 18:20

Squashman · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-06 17:43:02Z

1

So what you are trying to do is create a pseudo array as batch files do not have arrays natively. So you need to use delayed expansion to get your expected output.

@echo off
SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion
echo how many people?
set /p number=
echo.
echo.
for /l %%a in (1,1,%number%) do (
    echo name of %%a person
    set /p s%%a=
    echo.
    echo.
    echo.
    if %%a==%number% (
        echo names are
        for /l %%n in (1,1,%number%) do (
            echo name %%n is !s%%n!
        )
    )
)
pause

answered Jan 6, 2017 at 17:43

Squashman

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Comments

geisterfurz007 · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-06 17:30:13Z

0

You are missing DelayedExpansion:

In batch a closed block of parentheseis gets calculated at once, so variable values changed within it will not be displayed using the normal %myVar% when accessed within it.

To do so however add setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion at the top of your script and change %myVar% to !myVar!.

Btw with the command @echo off you can suppress a lot of unneccessary command-line output :)

answered Jan 6, 2017 at 17:30

geisterfurz007

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3 Comments

Evil DEvil Over a year ago

thanks for the help but can you please explain %myVar% !myVar! i didn't understand what should i replace

geisterfurz007 Over a year ago

If you have for example %number% change it to !number! so change % to !.

Evil DEvil Over a year ago

i did nothing happend

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