Do you remember the clunky MS-DOS command black box that used to show up on computers when Windows was just born? Oftentimes you had to run lines of code just to get to and open files nested deep inside a folder. Then when batch files came around it was possible to record the most frequently used commands and they would execute automatically every time the computer was turned on.
Many computer users do not know about these batch options but they are quite easy to access and run on Windows computers. By using batch files, you are now entering a world of automation. With the emergence of the series of Windows XP and Vista, we began to enjoy mouse and screen interfaces. Nowadays it just takes a few clicks to open files that can access the browser. Imagine a world where simple, everyday computer tasks are turned into simple mouse clicks – that is the power of batch files.
Today, MS-DOS commands might seem old, but the batch file concept has been around forever and many advanced computer users are very loyal to them, especially when it comes to time saving and automating large projects with minimal effort. How can you start to enjoy the power in batch files? Here are some advantages to using batch files to help you automate some functions that run on the computer regularly:
Batch files will save you a ton of time because all you have to do is click on the icon on the desktop to open 6 or even 30 files at once.
You can have your favorite sites and files load up automatically when you turn on your computer or click on a mouse.
You can even use batch files to help you cut the amount of clicks down that you may need in order to find hidden files that are accessed frequently.
What exactly are batch files?
Text documents that contain MS-DOS commands are called batch files. When you run the script, each command gets processed without asking the user to enter an action each time. Batch files are comprised of basically just simple text files which can work seamlessly with any text editor or Windows Notepad. All you have to do is write a little bit of code one time to save yourself the work forever.
With MS-DOS, batch files are started in the command line. Typing the name of the file along with any parameters, and then a quick pressing of the “enter” button can start a batch file. Now, when the MS-DOS file runs, an AUTOEXEC.BAT will begin to be executed automatically. Any commands that are required in this environment can now be placed in this file. This file can contain time and date information, load any applications, drivers, or network connections.
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