Using command output in DOS

Question

I would like to run a command in DOS, which uses the output of another command as its part, something that single back-quote (``) allows to do on UNIX or Linux.

For example, if myCommand returns a list of files, I would like to execute in DOS some analog of the UNIX command

grep `myCommand`

How would one do that in DOS? Thank you in advance for your help.

If by "DOS" one means "cmd.exe in Windows", then consider PowerShell as a modern alternative to that relic. Likewise, consider one of the several "Unix util" ports. FWIW, there are some really old program for MS-DOS as well, such as Unix-like MS-DOS programs — user166390
– user166390, Commented May 9, 2011 at 20:48

Gary · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-09 20:47:30Z

2

You can pipe two commands:

command1 | command2

But there aren't a whole lot of commands whos input/ouput plays well with each other. You'd probably be best off using a for loop. The basic syntax is:

for /f %A in ('command1') do command2 %A

answered May 9, 2011 at 20:47

Gary

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kStarbe · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-09 20:46:19Z

1

Unless you try the for %%i in ... syntax, I do not see a hope in DOS. DOS is not Unix.

Another solution is to build a new batch using the for loop (with @ and echo) and start the new batch at the end.

You may need to do this recursively.

answered May 9, 2011 at 20:46

kStarbe

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