| Anatomy of a Batch File. A batch file | | | | upper memory/expandable memory thus freeing |
| contains a sequence of commands for a | | | | up conventional memory for utilities to run. |
| computer OS. Batch files are called so due to | | | | |
| their ability to batch or bundle commands | | | | Practice ground for juvenile virus writers. |
| together in a single file which otherwise | | | | Batch files have become a script kiddie |
| would have to be executed individually. Batch | | | | favorite due to their simple syntax and low |
| files are typically created for command | | | | amount of programming knowledge required. |
| sequences for which the user may have | | | | Laughed upon by the advanced virus writers |
| repeated needs. Common uses of batch files | | | | for their simplicity, batch file virus can |
| are for deleting a series of files, running | | | | cause massive damage very rapidly. |
| utilities and moving files. Once a batch file | | | | Fortunately batch file viruses don't spread |
| is executed it's read by a shell program | | | | unless copied into another computer. |
| which executes it line by line. A batch file | | | | |
| is something similar to a shell script in | | | | Batch File Comparing. File Comparing is the |
| UNIX like OS's .Batch files are intelligent | | | | automated comparing of files or folders which |
| enough to make decisions and performs | | | | are there in a file system. The commonly used |
| operations only if a certain conditions exist | | | | file comparing programs are diff and cmf. Dff |
| or don't exist. Certain batch files are known | | | | files displays the changes made per line and |
| to execute commands that are not available | | | | nowadays they have developed to include |
| under DOS. | | | | binary files. File comparison tools works by |
| | | | finding the Longest Common Sub Sequence |
| The commonly used batch file is AUTOEXE.bat | | | | (LCS).What LCS essentially does is it tries |
| which is a simple boot file which loads every | | | | to find a new sequence from two sets of items |
| time MS DOS starts and contains a list of | | | | such a way that the new sequence can be |
| commands used to run programs on MS DOS. The | | | | obtained by deleting certain items from the |
| most apt comparison would be with a desktop | | | | two older sets. |
| shortcut in windows which runs programs. | | | | |
| Though out dated, batch files are still used | | | | Certain other programs use the Longest |
| by system administrators to automate routine | | | | Increasing sub sequence to differentiate |
| processes. Even though batch files support | | | | between two files. File comparing softwares |
| basic program flow commands such as IF and | | | | like Active file compare, Win Merge and Meld |
| GOTO they are un-suited for general purpose | | | | allows comparing, merging and synchronizing |
| programming. With a single command batch | | | | files. Active File compare has a built in |
| files can launch a program in the desired | | | | File manager whereby you can compare two |
| configuration as well as start an associated | | | | folders, copy files or load files for further |
| program such as a word processor to start | | | | work. WinMerge has a flexible editor with |
| once the main program is running. | | | | syntax highlighting, line numbers and word |
| Sophisticated batch files exists which are | | | | wrap. |
| capable of loading a part of program into | | | | |