# Command: batch files

      BATCH FILES contain a sequence of DOS commands. By running the BATCH
      FILE, this sequence is run. This can be used to save time, so that a
      set of commands does not have to be typed out in full at the DOS prompt
      each time.
      BATCH FILES are text files, but with the .bat file extension. They can
      be created or edited with a text editor such as EDIT or EDLIN.
      To run a BATCH FILE, simply type its name at the DOS prompt, with or
      without the .bat extension.
      A very important BATCH FILE, AUTOEXEC.BAT is run automatically when
      FreeDOS starts. You can load necessary drivers while booting the system
      with this file.

## Syntax:

      - none -

#### [Main menu] [top] (Syntax) [Options] [Comments] [Examples] [See also] [File]

## Options:

      - none -

#### [Main menu] [top] [Syntax] (Options) [Comments] [Examples] [See also] [File]

## Comments:

      Some commands are especially designed for use in programming batch files.
      autoexec.bat  The automatic batch file,
      beep          Makes a beeping sound,
      call          Runs another batch file,
      choice        Prompts the user to make a choice,
      cls           Clears the screen,
      echo          Print a message, turn batch file display on/off,
      for           For loop (repeat commands),
      goto          Continue running from somewhere else in the batch file,
      if            If condition (choose between two sets of commands),
      lh            Loads a program into the upper memory area,
      loadhigh      Loads a program into the upper memory area,
      path          Displays or sets a search path for executable files,
      pause         Waits for user to press a key,
      prompt        Changes the way command prompt appears,
      rem           Expanatory remarks for the programmer,
      set           Displays, sets, or removes environment variables,
      shift         Shifts the numbering of batch file parameters.

      You can use the commands beep, cls, echo, lh, loadhigh, path,
      prompt and set outside of a batch file too.
      BATCH commands are a command internal to command.com
      and need no other file in order to work.

#### [Main menu] [top] [Syntax] [Options] (Comments) [Examples] [See also] [File]

## Examples:

      IN A .BAT FILE / AUTOEXEC.BAT:
        Example for creating a batch file:
          type: edit foo.bat
        then edit should open and you can type the following example in it:
          C:\fdos\bin\chkdsk c:
          C:\fdos\bin\defrag c:
          C:\fdos\bin\dosfsck c:
        then goto "file" - "save" and close edit.
        When you type foo.bat the commands will be executed.

#### [Main menu] [top] [Syntax] [Options] [Comments] (Examples) [See also] [File]

## See also:

      autoexec.bat  beep          call          choice        cls
      echo          edit          edlin         for           goto
      if            lh            loadhigh      path          pause
      prompt        rem           set           shift

#### [Main menu] [top] [Syntax] [Options] [Comments] [Examples] (See also) [File]

## File:

      Please read this command's lsm file also.
      You will find the updated version (internet) here and
      the version described in this manual page here.
      The lsm file contains information about the name of the programmer,
      the download site, and some other command related information.

#### [Main menu] [top] [Syntax] [Options] [Comments] [Examples] [See also] (File)

      Copyright © 2003 Robert Platt, updated 2007 by W. Spiegl.

      This file is derived from the FreeDOS Spec Command HOWTO.
      See the file H2Cpying for copying conditions.