DOS Batch file question...

[roscoe]

I often have the need to run a stack of txt-based files (random extensions like .txt, .csv, etc) through a search program. That program is a total kludge in that it takes longer to go through the mechanincs of selecting/searching the next file than it does to actually search it. A much faster way would be to merge all the files into a single file. There ways to do this via DOS batch commands, but all that I've found require someone with skill to open and edit the file (to change the file extension) and then run it. The person I'm giving this to won't have that skill.

The ideal solution is to put a shortcut on the desktop and drop all the files (or the containing folder) onto that shortcut and have it recursively merge them

Any ideas here or anyone know a similar board where I can go to ask this?

 

[Ron Coderre]

A batch file containing this code will:
merge all files in the c:\FilesToMerge folder
into this single text file c:\mergedfiles.txt

copy \FilestoMerge\*.* \mergedfiles.txt

• Put that code into notepad
• Name the file MergeMyFiles.bat
• Find that file using Windows Explorer
• Double-click it to run the program and merge the files.

Is that something you can work with?

 

[roscoe]

A batch file containing this code will:
merge all files in the c:\FilesToMerge folder
into this single text file c:\mergedfiles.txt

copy \FilestoMerge\*.* \mergedfiles.txt

• Put that code into notepad
• Name the file MergeMyFiles.bat
• Find that file using Windows Explorer
• Double-click it to run the program and merge the files.

Is that something you can work with?

That's great but the hard coded directory means I have to edit it each time or moved the files.

Thanks

 

[Ron Coderre]

Perhaps if you described all of the constraints, we can work around them.
Apparently, this is the first constraint:
1) Not able to somehow get all of the files into one specific location so they can be easily merged

 

[roscoe]

Sorry, that was an approach I didn't anticipate. But, I found a suitable method. I don't recall what it is (It's at work) but I'm good now. Thanks.