Can a batch file do this?

[TechnoPro]

I'm looking for a method of interactively renaming a file via batch file.

I don't know if this can even be done, but I would like the batch file to ask the user to imput a new name for the file, the user types it in and presses enter, and the file is renamed with the value that the user typed.

Here's an example:

Assume file test.txt located on the C: drive.

The batch file, when launched, would display "Please type in a new name" (ECHO command). The user would enter a new name and press enter. That string of text would presumably be assigned as a local variable (using SETLOCAL?). Finally, the script would rename test.txt to whatever the user typed.

Any ideas how this could be done?

----- SOLVED ------

SET /P WHATEVER=

REN test.txt "%WHATEVER%.txt"

 

[sygyzy]

Sure, you can do that with a batchfile.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Sure, you can do that with a batchfile.

I agree, it's possible.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Sure, you can do that with a batchfile.

Care to share how it can be done?

 

[Calin]

copy "old file" "new file"
del "old file"

OR simpler just ren "old file" "new file"

Calin

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: Calin
copy "old file" "new file"
del "old file"

OR simpler just ren "old file" "new file"

Calin

Thanks, but that won't do it. My bad - I was unclear with my original post as to my objective.

 

[sygyzy]

The only challenge is figuring out how to get user input STRINGS. There are a few ways but they are not direct. The only input batchfiles really want from you are single letters (ie for a menu).

 

[Calin]

Check this - it might help you:
http://student.vub.ac.be/~dvandeun/batcoll.all

Calin

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
The only challenge is figuring out how to get user input STRINGS. There are a few ways but they are not direct. The only input batchfiles really want from you are single letters (ie for a menu).

??
I guess you haven't written batch scripts in quite some time. You can store whatever you want in an environment variable, even with spaces in it.

You can even use set /p to prompt for user input.

 

[Calin]

I didn't knew about the "set /p" thing. And you are correct, all the batch files I written were for the MS-DOS operating system, or using only the capabilities of MS-DOS batch scripting

Calin

 

[dabuddha]

Yes and it's not too hard to setup. Do a search on google and you'll find tons of information.

 

[bmacd]

if you need help, i could whip it up real quick. Honestly, this is very simple stuff. Anybody DOS fan can help you too.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Descartes]

Don't prompt them; instead, just accept an argument. All you would then need to do is this:

ren test.txt %1

That's it. Save it, then run it:

yourbatchfile newfilename.txt

 

[sygyzy]

Sorry but that's the solution I think the OP was trying to avoid. Yours doesn't differ much from him manually typing "ren filename1 filename2"

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: sygyzy
The only challenge is figuring out how to get user input STRINGS. There are a few ways but they are not direct. The only input batchfiles really want from you are single letters (ie for a menu).

??
I guess you haven't written batch scripts in quite some time. You can store whatever you want in an environment variable, even with spaces in it.

You can even use set /p to prompt for user input.

Problem solved, thank you! That SET /P did the trick. I'm grateful.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: TechnoPro

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: sygyzy
The only challenge is figuring out how to get user input STRINGS. There are a few ways but they are not direct. The only input batchfiles really want from you are single letters (ie for a menu).

??
I guess you haven't written batch scripts in quite some time. You can store whatever you want in an environment variable, even with spaces in it.

You can even use set /p to prompt for user input.

Problem solved, thank you! That SET /P did the trick. I'm grateful.

:thumbsup: SET /P is a pretty handy command. It's probably one I use the second most right after FOR /F