Did you know that there are ways to use 'functions' in batch files? SearchWincomputing.com member Jim Ruby submitted this Windows systems management tip explaining how to do so.
It is possible to create function-like structures in WIN32 cmd files to break apart and simplify long batch files. One batch file can call another and use the returned value as a variable for further steps.
Granted, there are times when this method is overkill, but there are plenty of opportunities to use this technique. Believe it or not, you can actually create some structured programming in cmd files using this concept.
The three cmd files code examples below demonstrate this idea. The main batch file that will call and display the results of Function1.cmd and Function2.cmd is called Calc.cmd. Both "functions" return values to The Calc cmd file; Function1 returns one value while Function2 return two values.
TheCalc.cmd
-----------
@Echo off
FOR /F %%f in ('Function1') do SET TheAnswer=%%f ECHO.
ECHO.
ECHO.
ECHO The Answer is: %TheAnswer%
ECHO.
ECHO.
ECHO.
FOR /F "Tokens=1-2 delims= " %%g in ('Function2') DO (SET TheAnswer1=%%g & SET TheAnswer2=%%h)
ECHO.
ECHO.
ECHO.
ECHO The 1st Answer is: %TheAnswer1%
ECHO The 2nd Answer is: %TheAnswer2%M
ECHO.
ECHO.
ECHO.
Function1.cmd
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SET /A Function1=2+4
ECHO %Function1%
Function2.cmd
-------------
SET /A Function1=2+4
SET /A FirstAnswer=1+1
SET /A SecondAnswer=2+2
ECHO %FirstAnswer% %SecondAnswer%
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