Get Input From User In Windows Batch Scripting and Do Arithmetic

In the post, we will see how to get input from user in windows batch scripting and do arithmetic operation.

The SET statement provides /P switch which is used to get input on prompt.

Look at the following script to see how user is prompted to input two numbers.

The sum result is displayed thereafter.

@echo off

SET /P x=Enter value of x: 

SET /P y=Enter value of y: 

set /A z=%x%+%y%

echo The sum of x=%x% and y=%y% is %z%

pause

Tips:

• Give extra space after colon(:)
• The /A switch is used to write arithmetic expression. When /A is followed by expression then that expression is evaluated as arithmetic operation. Look at the following script in this regard:

@echo off

:: Loop through each file and subfolder

setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

set i=1

for %%f in (*) do (

@echo %i% %%~nf

set /a i+=1

)

endlocal

@pause

NOTE:

1. The += is a compound operator used in  i+=1 which is an arithmetic expression. Since variable is reinitialized in each iteration, simple SET statement will not be enough. We use /A switch to imply that i+=1 is an arithmetic expression.
2. Here, wildcard (*) and (*.*) have subtle difference. The *.* implies to loop through all files and folders which contain a period symbol in their names. But * is just any file or folder.