Batch scripting documentation

Question

Is there some nice documentation for Windows batch scripting I can download and refer to while offline?

Solution 1

I can recommend:

An A-Z Index of the Windows XP command line.

It is more thorough than help and most importantly it provides several examples for each command. Example: FIND. There are also cross-references to other commands.

For offline reading you can capture the pages by using e.g. Wget (or some other tool that can follow links and down the content). I use Bart Puype's Wget binary for Windows.

(There is a similar one for PowerShell: "An A-Z Index of Windows PowerShell commands".)

Solution 2

You can always look at the command help by typing one of:

<command> /?
help <command>

And to see a complete list of default batch commands you just type:

help

Also, you can look up the commands in Windows Help. Just click on "Start" -> "Help and Support", then search for "cmd reference" and you will get the "Command-line reference A-Z" page in Full-text Search Matches. It's a complete list of all cmd commands (some of the are only available in batch scripts) and other command line applications.

Solution 3

Here's an 8-page PDF you can print out: Win32 Shell Scripting Tutorial.

Solution 4

Consider using PowerShell instead, if you can. More power, fewer headaches. It's the way of the future, scripting-wise.

You sound like you have a lot of learning ahead of you. If you do that learning in PowerShell instead of batch, you'll be in a better position at the end.

Solution 5

Another

Command-line reference A-Z

It seems like all kinds of command line are in the left sidebar.

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Comments

[Paulius]

That's a very basic introduction/tutorial. It only explains the most common uses of the most common BATCH commands.

[Dean Rather]

Thanks, but I already did a Google search, also, one of those asks me to register, and the other doesn't have a download option.

[Dean Rather]

I already knew about the 'help' and /c, but knowing I've got a full-blown document in my help is pretty neat. I'm going to have to give the win to the other guy though, a .pdf is much more convenient to me...

[Dean Rather]

After your comment on bitFlipper's answer, I'll wait till after my train-trip home tonight to see who's answer helped better :)

[Dean Rather]

in fact, this page is now on the front page of google for that search. go SO!

[John D. Cook]

I would add that PowerShell has good documentation available from the commandline.

[Paulius]

John: Just remove the trailing slash, and it will work. But as I pointed out in my last comment - this isn't really an in-depth documentation.

[Dean Rather]

Thanks, this is exactly what I was after.

[loxaxs]

"Win32 Shell Scripting Tutorial" -- That link is dead