How to create an infinite loop in Windows batch file?

Question

This is basically what I want in a batch file. I want to be able to re-run "Do Stuff" whenever I press any key to go past the "Pause".

while(true){
    Do Stuff
    Pause
}

Looks like there are only for loops available and no while loops in batch. How do I create an infinite loop then?

Solution 1

How about using good(?) old goto?

:loop

echo Ooops

goto loop

See also this for a more useful example.

Solution 2

Unlimited loop in one-line command for use in cmd windows:

FOR /L %N IN () DO @echo Oops

Solution 3

A really infinite loop, counting from 1 to 10 with increment of 0.
You need infinite or more increments to reach the 10.

for /L %%n in (1,0,10) do (
  echo do stuff
  rem ** can't be leaved with a goto (hangs)
  rem ** can't be stopped with exit /b (hangs)
  rem ** can be stopped with exit
  rem ** can be stopped with a syntax error
  call :stop
)

:stop
call :__stop 2>nul

:__stop
() creates a syntax error, quits the batch

This could be useful if you need a really infinite loop, as it is much faster than a goto :loop version because a for-loop is cached completely once at startup.

Solution 4

read help GOTO

and try

:again
do it
goto again

Solution 5

Another better way of doing it:

:LOOP
timeout /T 1 /NOBREAK 
::pause or sleep x seconds also valid
call myLabel
if not ErrorLevel 1 goto :LOOP

This way you can take care of errors too

View more solutions

Comments

[thkala]

Are you asking about a Windows/DOS batch file?

[PA.]

+1 ooops, I posted without noticing the other answer!

[Nicholi]

Nice because it also works just typing it in at command prompt. for /L %n in (1,0,2) do @echo."hi guys"

[jave.web]

no good :D sometimes quicker but never good :D ok there is only one good place for goto - in the lowest programming x)

[DoodleKana]

I agree with jave.web you should use the for loop suggestion below. You should almost never use goto in your code even it is scripting. Goto was cool back in GW Basic days in 80s.

[John Hunt]

I disagree with jave.web - there's nothing wrong with goto if you use it correctly. For example, I'm about to use it to ensure the program that is run within the loop auto-respawns if it dies for whatever reason. It may however be wise to put a small wait in the loop to stop cpu thrashing if my program dies instantly for some reason.

[JimB]

@theonlygusti Doesn't work as a one-line command, as you'd expect :lbl & echo Ooops & goto lbl ; but @Nicholi 's comment below does: FOR /L (1,0,2) DO @echo Oops

[Nabi K.A.Z.]

@JimB your command has (1 was unexpected at this time. error, I thinks this is better: stackoverflow.com/a/8846529/1407491

[JimB]

@NabiK.A.Z. My mistake! Multiple typos, should be FOR /L %N IN (1,0,2) DO ECHO %N. Original was right. In a batch file, it needs FOR \L %%N . I like this one for its simplicity.

[phrogg]

To use that in a batch file type: FOR /L %%N IN () DO @echo Oops

[var firstName]

This is an under-rated answer. Thank you!

[Nelda.techspiress]

Wish this solution had a little more explanation.

[Martin Pecka]

Just watch out for running commands which immediately exit, which is much more frequent on Windows than on Linux :-D

[toddwz]

I think the reason goto is not recommended is it could make code unreadable. This example of shows how to use goto correctly, and is simple, super clear, and straightforward to understand. Other answers using for require knowing the syntax of for in windows batch.