batch file - How to set a variable inside a loop for /F

Question

I made this code

dir /B /S %RepToRead% > %FileName%

for /F "tokens=*" %%a in ('type %FileName%') do (
    set z=%%a
    echo %z%
    echo %%a
)

echo %%a is working fine but echo %z% returns "echo disabled".

I need to set a %z% because I want to split the variable like %z:~7%

Any ideas?

Answer 1

There are two methods to setting and using variables within for loops and parentheses scope.

1. setlocal enabledelayedexpansion see setlocal /? for help. This only works on XP/2000 or newer versions of Windows. then use !variable! instead of %variable% inside the loop...

2. Create a batch function using batch goto labels :Label.

   Example:

   for /F "tokens=*" %%a in ('type %FileName%') do call :Foo %%a
   goto End
   
   :Foo
   set z=%1
   echo %z%
   echo %1
   goto :eof
   
   :End
   

   Batch functions are very useful mechanism.