Batch file to change to a specific date

[The Artilleryman]

I need to write a batch file so I can set the date to start a program, but I then need to change back to the current date after the program has loaded. I've not written any batch files in a long time and can't work out how to do it.

[Squashman]

This is dependent on your regional and language settings.
My date format is set to only output a 2 digit year yours is probably a 4 digit year.

Code: [Select]

H:\>echo %date%
Wed 01/11/12
So for a two digit year you could do this.

Code: [Select]

SET TODAY=%date:~4,2%-%date:~7,2%-%date:~10,2%
REM setting date back to an older date
DATE 12-11-11
start "" "C:\path to my program\myprogram.exe"
REM Changing date back to todays date
DATE %TODAY%If you have a 4 digit year change the last DATE string to %date:~10,4%

[Salmon Trout]

I need to write a batch file so I can set the date to start a program,

Why? Has the trial period expired?

[The Artilleryman]

It's a parts catalogue, new one issued every month, no longer got access to latest one so having to use an old one.

[The Artilleryman]

This is dependent on your regional and language settings.
My date format is set to only output a 2 digit year yours is probably a 4 digit year.

Code: [Select]

H:\>echo %date%
Wed 01/11/12
So for a two digit year you could do this.

Code: [Select]

SET TODAY=%date:~4,2%-%date:~7,2%-%date:~10,2%
REM setting date back to an older date
DATE 12-11-11
start "" "C:\path to my program\myprogram.exe"
REM Changing date back to todays date
DATE %TODAY%If you have a 4 digit year change the last DATE string to %date:~10,4%

I'm using XP and the date format is wrong, I get   today=1/-01-

[Squashman]

You need to show me how the date variable outputs from the cmd prompt just like I showed you in my first post.

[Raven19528]

It looks like it is likely UK date output, which expands DD/MM/YYYY.

Let's modify for that and see if it works out better for the OP.

[Salmon Trout]

It looks like it is likely UK date output

I think I once saw the Artilleryman at Horsell Common, near Woking.

[The Artilleryman]

You need to show me how the date variable outputs from the cmd prompt just like I showed you in my first post.

OK I've worked out the first line for saving today's date

SET TODAY=%date:~0,2%-%date:~3,2%-%date:~6,4%
this gives me  12-01-2012

I'm using
C:\myprog\myprog.exe

which starts the prog OK, but after loading the prog the batch file stops and only completes after exiting the prog, what I realy need to do is reset the date once the prog has loaded.
 Line 3   start "" "C:\myprog\myprog.exe"   ignores the date change.

[Raven19528]

Here is an excerpt from the start /? text that I think specifies the problem:

Code: [Select]

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
When executing an application that is a 32-bit GUI application, CMD.EXE
    does not wait for the application to terminate before returning to
    the command prompt.  This new behavior does NOT occur if executing
    within a command script.

The way around this is to "start" a different command process, which in turn starts the program, but never takes control away from your original batch file. Example:

Code: [Select]

SET TODAY=%date:~0,2%-%date:~3,2%-%date:~6,4%
REM setting date back to an older date
DATE 12-11-11
(echo start "" "C:\path to my program\myprogram.exe"
echo del ^%^0) >tempstart.bat
start "" tempstart.bat
REM Changing date back to todays date
ping 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 2000>nul
DATE %TODAY%

This may or may not be a long enough delay (2 seconds), but it does institute a slight delay before changing the date back to today. If this isn't required, you can remove the ping line.

[Squashman]

which starts the prog OK, but after loading the prog the batch file stops and only completes after exiting the prog, what I realy need to do is reset the date once the prog has loaded.
 Line 3   start "" "C:\myprog\myprog.exe"   ignores the date change.

I don't throw out random code for my good health. I gave you the correct code for starting the program in my first post. I had no control over the date output as I explained in both of my previous posts because anyone can change the short date format in their regional settings.

[jjh281]

Hi all

This is my elegant solution to solving the date issue

Edit launch to read the Progam
Just amend the dates 01/01/2012 to whatever date you require
Amend c:\...... to the shortcut properties of the program you wish to run
When you exit the program the date will rest to today!

Just copy and paste into notepad and save as a .bat file

ECHO OFF
CLS
:MENU
ECHO.
ECHO ....................................... ........
ECHO PRESS 1 to select your task, or 2 to EXIT.
ECHO ....................................... ........
ECHO.
ECHO 1 - Launch xxxxxxxxxxxx
ECHO 2 - Exit
ECHO.
SET /P M=Type 1, 2, then press ENTER:
IF %M%==1 GOTO PROGRAM
IF %M%==2 GOTO RESETDATE

:PROGRAM
FOR /F "TOKENS=1* DELIMS= " %%A IN ('DATE/T') DO SET CURDATE=%DATE%
COLOR 4f
echo Setting System date to 01/01/2012
echo.
date 01/01/2012
echo Launching Program........Please Wait
echo.
"c:\xxxxxxxxx.exe"
echo Resetting System Date back to Todays Date....Please Wait
date %CURDATE%



Hope this helps

Jules

[Salmon Trout]

Code: [Select]

SET /P M=Type 1, 2, then press ENTER:
What will happen if the user types 3 or just presses ENTER?

None of the scripts in this thread should be run sufficiently close to midnight that the line with the start command finishes the next day.

[jjh281]

Nothing!  You could delete the first section and just run the program batch file but remember running a date change could corrupt other files you save and will certainly impact your internet browser home page  so be careful  - hence to 1 or 2 check to make sure.

Julian

[Salmon Trout]

Nothing!

If the user types 3 and presses Enter, neither of the following IF tests will be satisfied, so the script will fall through to :PROGRAM, and if they just press ENTER, then %M% will be set to an empty string, and the script will halt with an error at the first IF test.