Batch scripts in action - Java LAB

As I mentioned in earlier blog the batch scripts are very helpful. Below is another incident when Command-prompt-programming comes to rescue.

Java newbies know the usual procedure to compile and run Java program

•  Open Notepad
•  Write program(Optional) and save it as something.java
•  Open CMD
•  Run following command "set path=c:\program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0\bin"
•  Navigate to your folder having something.java
•  Run command "javac something.java"
•  Run command "java something"

Thats a lot of procedure. Lets put Batch to help.

One more thing. I got to make folder "Lab_DATE" every lab and do respective practicals in them. Hence I created "start.bat" with following obvious commands.

mkdir Lab_

cd Lab_

cmd notepad

set path=C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0\bin

But it had a problem. The CMD window closed after executing last command. I needed it live after changing the path. Try it and you will know.

Help was the first thing that came to this computer engineers mind. Running "cmd /?" yields help. Thankfully there is /K switch that keeps terminal live after executing command. Finally tweaking start.bat to

mkdir Lab_

cd Lab_

cmd /C notepad

cmd /K set path=C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0\bin

did the trick... "Cut the crap" in my words.

I am still searching for some script that would write my Java program ;-)