Batch Files

Command Line Interface

A command-line user interface (CLI), also known as a console user interface, and character user interface (CUI), is a means of interacting with a computer program where the user (or client) issues commands to the program in the form of successive lines of text (command lines).

This was how we interfaced with computers before GUI's (Graphical user Interface) became popular.

When a batch file is run, the shell program (usually COMMAND.COM or cmd.exe) reads the file and executes its commands, normally line-by-line. Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux, have a similar, but more flexible, type of file called a shell script. The filename extension .bat is used in DOS and Windows.

What is a batch file?

A batch file is a text file that contains a sequence of commands for a computer operating system. It's called a batch file because it batches (bundles or packages) into a single file a set of commands that would otherwise have to be presented to the system interactively from a keyboard one at a time.A file that contains a sequence, or batch, of commands. Batch files are useful for storing sets of commands that are always executed together because you can simply enter the name of the batch file instead of entering each command individually.

In DOS systems, batch files end with a.BAT extension. For example, the following DOS batch file prints the date and time and sets the prompt to GO>:

date

time

prompt [GO>]

Whenever you boot a DOS -based computer, the system automatically executes the batch file named AUTOEXEC.BAT, if it exists.

Many operating systems use the terms command file or shell script in place of batch file.

A batch file saves your time, otherwise, would be invested in typing the same commands again and again. For instance, you can schedule your Windows OS to shut down after a specific amount of time using the command prompt. If you have created a batch file for the shutdown operation, you’ll only have to double-click to run it, like you normally open applications, and your Windows will shut down after the time you have already set.

If a developer wants to use the command prompt on your machine while installing software, he can do so by including a batch file in the setup files. Otherwise, you would have to run the commands which I guess won’t make you happy. In a nutshell, it is a script file used to automate tasks in DOS, Windows, and OS/2 operating systems.

Learn about the command line at Codeademy

How to write a simple batch file

How to write a batch file - makeuseof

A-Z list of Windows Batch Commands

Command Prompt - what it is and how to use it

List of Command Prompt Commands

Learn enough command line to be dangerous

Batch File Examples

Open notepad, type the following and save as shutdown.bat (make sure you add the .bat extension)

Sample Batch

c:\windows\system32\shutdown.exe /s /f /t 15 /c "Aliens have invaded your computer, it's all over now"

Explanation

/s - is the shutdown command

/f -will force the shutdown even if programs are open

/t - will add a timer, in this case 15 seconds

/c - allows you to add a comment

Challenge

Make a batch file that will serve as a menu and open your most used programs.

Save on your desktop and test it out.

Some samples are included in the downloads below, please rename them to .bat before trying.