Programming Batch Files

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Programming Batch Files

• Chapter 6

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Batch files

• A combination of commands to create one file
  whos commands will run one after the other in
  sequence to perform a specified task. (As
  defined in Ch. 5)

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Certain Conditions

• Can contain only ASCII text
• Include commands the CLI understands
• Have a .BAT extension in its file name

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Various Batch Commands

• You can create a batch file from actions or
  command lines that you put together.
• For example, if you go back a couple of chapters,
  you may remember a Y file you created in order
  to answer questions automatically in a
  formatting batch file.

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Name of batch file

• After youve created a batch file, all you must
  do is enter the name of the file without the
  extension.
• The CLI reads the .BAT extension and knows to
  execute the commands within it.

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Echo command

• Normally, a batch file is executed with the
  default of ECHO on.
• This means that each line is displayed on the
  monitor as it is executed.
• Your assignment for this chapter will be to build
  a batch file for a user.

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Echo command

• You will not want the user to see these
  commands. Any idea what command you would use?
• Yes, the echo off command at the very beginning
  of the commands area of your batch file.

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Using the _at_ sign

• Where else have you seen this?
• Yes, email addresses.
• Use in the CLI to hide the display of the
  execution of any commands.

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Using the _at_ sign

• We did this with the echo off command.
• Yes, but what about the echo off command. It
  will still show to the user.
• Use the command _at_echo off command to hide even
  the echo off command from the user.

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Displaying Empty Lines

• Sometimes you wish to insert empty lines to make
  your batch message more readable.
• Place a / (forward slash) after the echo command.
• Also can use , . / \ after echo

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REM for remarks

• When creating a batch file, we need to place
  documentation with this.
• Documentation tells who created this file, the
  date, name of file, and the purpose for the file.
• When you begin your batch file (also used in
  creating programs/programming) always place REM
  statements.

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Sample REM
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Where do I create batch files?

• Youll notice a familiar color to the previous
  slide.
• Where did I create my batch file?
• (Hint its a CLI text file.)
• Yes, the CLI text editor.

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Batch files

• Be sure that when to type the edit command to
  go to the text editor, to type the name of the
  file with an extension of .bat
• Remember, youll need to use your keyboard
  commands.

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Batch file creation

• Note with the example, the four REM lines, and
  then the separation between the REM lines and
  then the lines of code.
• First line, _at_echo off.
• In lab youll practice this process and email the
  files to me.

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Congratulations!!!

• Youve made it to the end!
• Well stop in your books at page 122.
• Next week, you will take your CLI and Chapter 1
  CISCO Exam in the computer lab at school.
• Contact me if you have questions.

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About the Exam

• The Exam will be closed book, worth 100 total
  points, and comprised of the following
• 50 objective questions (true/false multiple
  choice) 50 points.
• Production Exam (A number of questions based on a
  hierarchical structure) 50 points.

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If questions.

• Please contact me during our chat session, via
  discussion board, or WebCT email.
• Ill help you to be successful all that I can!
• Good luck with your exam!