Batchfile, regedit & %program files% - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

flat5 · 08-13-2010, 03:51 PM

I'm using a batchfile to install a program.

This works when building the reg file:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\MP3 playlist\command]
@="C:\\Program Files\\MP3 ListMaker\\MP3 ListMaker.exe"

I can't get this to work because the \\ has to be after the C:

Echo [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\MP3 playlist\command] >>"MP3 ListMaker.reg"
Echo @="\\%ProgramFiles%\\MP3 ListMaker\\MP3 ListMaker.exe" >>"MP3 ListMaker.reg"

Have tried playing with the \\
Any useful ideas?

telekinetic · 08-13-2010, 04:05 PM

you sure it isn't because you are using double backslashes in your file path at locations other than the beginning?

flat5 · 08-13-2010, 04:36 PM

yep. The above one was exported from Regedit.
Earlier versions of the install used C:\program files with no problem.

The "Set" internal CMD command has been made much more functional.
I did not know this. It can accept user input and there are enough string routines in CMD (it took some real digging for me to find this info) to get the job done. A little bit of study and I think I can solve my dilemma.

Here is the interesting page:
Set - Environment Variable

flat5 · 08-14-2010, 02:53 AM

Problem may be solved. Not done yet. Code Snippet:

Set i=%SystemDrive%
Set f=\Program Files\MP3 List Maker
Set _path=%i%%f%

flat5 · 08-14-2010, 10:43 AM

There might be one person someday who will be interested so here are the finished bat files for installing and uninstalling the program.

Updated the bats.

MP3 ListMaker bats.zip

Zweiblumen · 08-17-2010, 04:15 AM

Nice work.
I would have used some kind of installation wizard, for example "Setup and deployment" project in Visual Studio or Wise Installation.

For a simple installation like this a batch file might be sufficient but it will soon be complex or impossible to maintain if you want to add more functionality or error handling to it.

But it is a very nice soulution.

Yours
ZW

flat5 · 08-17-2010, 08:51 AM

Well thank you very much :-)
I did put some soul into it :-)

I have altered/improved the files. (Just re-uped them)
The main program itself was a batch file for two years.
I just wanted to do some programming again. It's been about ten years.
I forgot so much and did not know much to begin with :-)

Yes, even a VB script, which I believe Windows can deal with, would be better.
I will look for a freeware install program.

Zweiblumen · 08-17-2010, 09:32 AM

Visual Studio Express is free Microsoft Express Home - Visual Studio Express and SQL Server Express are free tools but I don't know if "Setup & Deployment" project templates are included in the free version. Also there are bound to be available free version of deployment tools on the web, Find Open Source Alternatives to commercial software | Open Source Alternative - osalt.com might have some.
What I noticed first with the script (.bat) was it assumes that it can write to the current folder that isn't always the case. A fix for that is to use the %TEMP% or "TMP% variable.

Best of luck,
ZW.

flat5 · 08-17-2010, 11:13 AM

Thank you, Zweiblumen. I'll search for the tools. You have put me on the trail.

If the user receives the package as a zip he has to open it somewhere.
I assumed he could/would run it from there.
I'll have to see how %temp% can help with the problem.

08-13-2010, 03:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	Batchfile, regedit & %program files% I'm using a batchfile to install a program. This works when building the reg file: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\MP3 playlist\command] @="C:\\Program Files\\MP3 ListMaker\\MP3 ListMaker.exe" I can't get this to work because the \\ has to be after the C: Echo [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\MP3 playlist\command] >>"MP3 ListMaker.reg" Echo @="\\%ProgramFiles%\\MP3 ListMaker\\MP3 ListMaker.exe" >>"MP3 ListMaker.reg" Have tried playing with the \\ Any useful ideas?

08-13-2010, 04:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	you sure it isn't because you are using double backslashes in your file path at locations other than the beginning? __________________ twisted no more

08-13-2010, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	yep. The above one was exported from Regedit. Earlier versions of the install used C:\program files with no problem. The "Set" internal CMD command has been made much more functional. I did not know this. It can accept user input and there are enough string routines in CMD (it took some real digging for me to find this info) to get the job done. A little bit of study and I think I can solve my dilemma. Here is the interesting page: Set - Environment Variable Last edited by flat5; 08-14-2010 at 12:55 PM..

08-14-2010, 02:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	Problem may be solved. Not done yet. Code Snippet: Set i=%SystemDrive% Set f=\Program Files\MP3 List Maker Set _path=%i%%f% Last edited by flat5; 08-14-2010 at 12:56 PM..

08-14-2010, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	There might be one person someday who will be interested so here are the finished bat files for installing and uninstalling the program. Updated the bats. MP3 ListMaker bats.zip Last edited by flat5; 08-17-2010 at 08:56 AM..

08-17-2010, 04:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Zweiblumen Insane Location: at home	Nice work. I would have used some kind of installation wizard, for example "Setup and deployment" project in Visual Studio or Wise Installation. For a simple installation like this a batch file might be sufficient but it will soon be complex or impossible to maintain if you want to add more functionality or error handling to it. But it is a very nice soulution. Yours ZW __________________ Sodomy non sapiens. : I'm buggered if I know

08-17-2010, 08:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	Well thank you very much :-) I did put some soul into it :-) I have altered/improved the files. (Just re-uped them) The main program itself was a batch file for two years. I just wanted to do some programming again. It's been about ten years. I forgot so much and did not know much to begin with :-) Yes, even a VB script, which I believe Windows can deal with, would be better. I will look for a freeware install program. Last edited by flat5; 08-19-2010 at 09:09 AM..

08-17-2010, 09:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Zweiblumen Insane Location: at home	Visual Studio Express is free Microsoft Express Home - Visual Studio Express and SQL Server Express are free tools but I don't know if "Setup & Deployment" project templates are included in the free version. Also there are bound to be available free version of deployment tools on the web, Find Open Source Alternatives to commercial software \| Open Source Alternative - osalt.com might have some. What I noticed first with the script (.bat) was it assumes that it can write to the current folder that isn't always the case. A fix for that is to use the %TEMP% or "TMP% variable. Best of luck, ZW. __________________ Sodomy non sapiens. : I'm buggered if I know

08-17-2010, 11:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	Thank you, Zweiblumen. I'll search for the tools. You have put me on the trail. If the user receives the package as a zip he has to open it somewhere. I assumed he could/would run it from there. I'll have to see how %temp% can help with the problem.