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Batch File Commands

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Some commands are particularly suited to batch file processing. Each command is explained in detail in the Command Reference. Here is a list of some of the commands you might find most useful:

ACTIVATE	activates another window
BEEP	produces a sound of any pitch and duration through the computer's speaker
BREAKPOINT	set a breakpoint in the batch debugger
CALL	executes one batch file from within another
CANCEL	terminates all batch file processing
CLS	clears the TCC window
COLOR	sets the TCC display colors
DEBUGSTRING	send text to the debugger
DEFER	defers a command until the batch file ends
DO	starts a loop. The loop can be based on a counter, or on a conditional expression, strings, or files. ENDDO terminates the loop
DRAWBOX	draws a box on the screen
DRAWHLINE	draws horizontal lines on the screen
DRAWVLINE	draws vertical lines on the screen
ECHO	sends text to the standard output device
ECHOS	sends text to the standard output device
ECHOERR	sends text to the standard error device
ECHOSERR	sends text to the standard error device
ENDLOCAL	restores the settings that were saved and allows specific variables to be exported (see SETLOCAL)
ENDTEXT	ends the block of text started with TEXT
EVENTLOG	writes a string to the Windows application event log
FOR	executes commands for each file that matches a set of wildcards, or each entry in a list
GOSUB	executes a subroutine inside a batch file (see RETURN).
GOTO	branches to a different location in the batch file
IF IFF	execute commands based on a conditional expression
INKEY	collects keyboard input and store it in environment variables
INPUT	collects keyboard input and store it in environment variables
JABBER	send an instant message (IM)
KEYSTACK	sends keystrokes to applications
LOADBTM	changes the batch file operating mode
LOCAL	define variables local to a library function or batch file
MSGBOX	displays a dialog box with standard buttons like Yes, No, OK, and Cancel, and returns the user's selection
ON	initializes error handling for Ctrl-C / Ctrl-Break, or for program and command errors
OSD	Display floating text on the desktop
PAUSE	displays a message and waits for the user to press a key
PDIR	creates a customized DIR-like display of directory contents
PLAYAVI	plays Windows .AVI files
PLAYSOUND	plays Windows sound files
POSTMSG	send a message to a window
QUERYBOX	displays a dialog box for text input
QUIT	ends the current batch file and optionally returns an exit code
REM	places a remark in a batch file
RETURN	terminates a subroutine (see GOSUB)
SCREEN	positions the cursor on the screen and optionally prints a message at the new location
SCRPUT	displays a message in color
SENDMAIL	sends an email message
SETLOCAL	saves the current disk drive, default directory, environment, alias list, and special character settings (see ENDLOCAL).
SHIFT	changes the numbering of the batch file parameters
SMPP	sends messages using the SMPP protocol
SNPP	sends a message to an alphanumeric pager
START	starts another session or window
SWITCH	selects a group of statements to execute based on the value of a variable
TEXT	displays a block of text (see ENDTEXT)
TIMER	starts or reads a stopwatch
TITLE	changes the window title
VSCRPUT	displays a vertical message in color
WMIQUERY	Query the Windows Management Instrumentation interface
WMIRUN	Run WMI methods on local or remote machines

These commands, along with the internal variables and variable functions, make the enhanced batch file language extremely powerful.