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Number   :  4749
Date     :  2003-06-04
Author   :  Kan Yabumoto
Subject  :  Re: xxcopy to CD-RW
Size(KB) :  2


Garry wrote:

> Kan, I overlooked that the previous code is not
> totally bulletproof.



Thank you Garry for your generous help with the
very good batch file code you showed me.

I just verified the code in XP and Win98SE.
As to the situation where the user type "install"
and another program (or batch file) which qualifies
to be invoked due to the particular path setting,
it is definitely beyond the scope of the batch file.

Of course, we see more and more people who
do not appreciate how the PATH= setting works.
It is clearly beyond the scope of what we should
provide.

That is, the code you supplied already handles
the fairly common "mistake" of user double-clicking
the INSTALL.BAT icon from the Windows Explorer.

The code you suggested earlier is quite sufficient
in my view. The "problem" you are trying to address
by the much longer script is a result of totally
unreasonable operation on users part. If the
user has no idea what the PATH= setting does,
there is no hope that he can manage executing
the proper copy of the XXCOPY.EXE file.

I'm always amazed that people like you can create
a bullet-proof batch script like that.

One solution is to provide a more unique name
than "INSTALL.BAT". But then, typical (experienced)
user would have hard time guessing which one in the
unzipped files in the temporary directory.

As I said earlier, the solution should be fairly
"elegant". Although the new and much longer version
may close the hole for the rare case, the sheer
length alone disqualifies itself. That is,
I have hard time following the batch script
(mostly my lack of mental energy to fully
comprehend what is going on in the batch file).
When, the script become too long, it would be
understood only by a very few advanced users only.

One benefit of the batch file is that it is a
"well-understood" rules which most people can
follow by just looking at it. When the required
action for the very rare cases makes the batch
file much longer, then, the benefit evaporates.

So, I'm just about ready to incorporate your
first suggestion (which is very elegant and works
well). I'm thinking about putting a text which
gives you the credit for the code if you don't
mind (If you have objection, I will not put your
name in it). The first section of the batch
file will look like this:


install.bat
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
echo.
echo ***************************
echo * XXCOPY INSTALL SCRIPT *
echo ***************************
echo.
if "%OS%"=="Windows_NT" ((cd /d %0\..)&(goto next))
%0\
cd %0\..
:next
echo The current directory is:
cd
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: The above section was suggested by Garry Deane, a veteran XXCopy user.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
echo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again, thank you for your great help.

Kan Yabumoto



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