Command Prompt: Execute Commands from Any Text File (Not Having ".bat" or ".cmd" Extensions)

Question

I can't find any way to do, for example, the following:

cmd.exe /C "script.txt"

In other words, I need Command Prompt to (try) to execute file with any extension (not necessarily .bat or .cmd) if it contains valid batch script code. I'm looking for behavior similar to Unix shells:

./script.txt

While on Unix the shebang (#!/bin/sh) is responsible for understanding that the file is actually a script, it seems like on Windows .bat or .cmd extensions play the same role, indicating a batch script file for Command Prompt.

Is it possible to avoid that and force Command Prompt to interpret a file with any name?

NOTE: Please, no answers like:

Give your file .bat or .cmd extension.

That's not what the question is about.

Change your extension to `.bat` or `.cmd` ;) (could not resist...) — Benjamin Trent, Apr 18 '14 at 21:18
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6818031/use-shebang-hashbang-in-windows-command-prompt — , Apr 18 '14 at 21:33
@a_horse_with_no_name: I'm aware about this method and I've tried it before posting here. The main point where it fails is that one simply cannot execute `cmd.exe /C ""%1" %*"` as `%1` will have `.foo` extension and not `.bat` or `.cmd`. As a result, this method does not work either... — Alexander Shukaev, Apr 18 '14 at 21:39
This is a hacking question, probably better suited to Superuser.com — foxidrive, Apr 19 '14 at 13:02

score 6 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:19

6

This depends on the complexity of the NON-Batch file. If the NON-Batch file does not use these facilities:

Access to Batch file parameters via %1 %2 ... and execution of SHIFT command.
Execution of GOTO command.
Execution of CALL :NAME command (internal subroutine).
Execution of SETLOCAL/ENDLOCAL commands.

then you may execute any file as a "Batch file" via this trick:

cmd < anyFile.ext

Further details at this post

edited May 23 '17 at 12:19

Community

1
1

answered Apr 18 '14 at 22:23

Aacini

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The restrictions are quite harsh to be honest. Anyway, nice to know that this could be an option in some cases. Thanks. – Alexander Shukaev Apr 18 '14 at 22:38

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:00

3

you first need an "installation" script :

   @echo off

    rem :: A files with .TEST extension will be able to execute batch code but is not perfect as the %0 argument is lost

    rem :: "installing" a caller.
    if not exist "c:\caller.bat" (
       echo @echo off
       echo copy "%%~nx1"  "%%temp%%\%%~nx1.bat" /Y ^>nul
       echo "%%temp%%\%%~nx1.bat"  %%*
    ) > c:\caller.bat

    rem :: associating file extension
    assoc .test=batps
    ftype batps=c:\caller "%%1" %*

then try a simple .test file:

@echo off
for /l (1;1;10) do (
  echo testing .TEST extension
)

In fact ASSOC and FTYPE both have immediate effect so you can start a .test file right after "installation". With direct editing of the registry eventually you can get more control -> How to create file extension that behaves as .cmd/.bat? . Check also drop handlers -> http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/cc144165%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

edited May 23 '17 at 12:00

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answered Apr 18 '14 at 21:36

npocmaka

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I thought about making a renamed temporary copy as well. Indeed that should work. However, that feels too hackish, but as far as I can see, it's probably the only feasible solution. That Windows... – Alexander Shukaev Apr 18 '14 at 21:55
I've tried a lot of things (mainly in the registries) but I think it's forbidden .This is the only way I've found. – npocmaka Apr 18 '14 at 21:58
Well, of course it's hackish - you're trying to do a hackish thing! – Harry Johnston Apr 18 '14 at 23:38
... as an optimization, you could use a link rather than an actual copy. – Harry Johnston Apr 18 '14 at 23:54

Command Prompt: Execute Commands from Any Text File (Not Having ".bat" or ".cmd" Extensions)

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