Windows Command Files
The FOR Loop Processing
  Table of Contents  v-24.01.01 - forlup01.htm 
  Introduction
  Input Data
  Output Data
  Set Variables, For/Do Loop
  Ancillary Items
  The Env1BASE Command
  The SimoNOTE Command
  Summary
  Software Agreement and Disclaimer
  Downloads and Links
  Current Server or Internet Access
  Internet Access Required
  Glossary of Terms
  Contact or Feedback
  Company Overview
The SimoTime Home Page 

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Introduction

The Windows "FOR" command will read a file that contains a list of items and do another Command to repetitively process each item in the list. This document provides examples of using the "FOR" command.

Windows is best known for its graphical user interface (GUI). However, many repeatable tasks need to be scripted and automated without operator intervention. Using Windows Command (or batch) files may simplify routine or repetitive tasks. A batch file is an unformatted text file that contains one or more commands and has a .BAT or .CMD file name extension.

When you type the batch file name at a Windows command prompt, Cmd.exe runs the commands sequentially as they appear in the file.

From Windows Explorer if you click (or possibly double-click) on the batch file name. The commands within the batch file will be sequentially executed as they appear in the file.

We have made a significant effort to ensure the documents and software technologies are correct and accurate. We reserve the right to make changes without notice at any time. The function delivered in this version is based upon the enhancement requests from a specific group of users. The intent is to provide changes as the need arises and in a timeframe that is dependent upon the availability of resources.

Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Input Data

The input data (FORLUPT1.TXT) is an ASCII/Text file. It is created within the sample batch file and will contain the following three records.

FILE01,C:\SIMOSAM1\DEVL\DATA\TXT1\SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE01.TXT
FILE02,C:\SIMOSAM1\DEVL\DATA\TXT1\SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE02.TXT
FILE03,C:\SIMOSAM1\DEVL\DATA\TXT1\SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE03.TXT

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Output Data

The output data is four files. The first file (FORLUPT2.TXT) is an ASCII/Text file. It is a copy of the input file that is re-created using the environment variable settings. The next three files are the individual test files that are created using the environment variable settings.

The 1st test file created (SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE01.TXT) is an ASCII/Text file that contains the following record.

This is record 001 for FILE01

The 2nd test file created (SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE02.TXT) is an ASCII/Text file that contains the following record.

This is record 001 for FILE02

The 3rd test file created (SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE03.TXT) is an ASCII/Text file that contains the following record.

This is record 001 for FILE03

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Set Variables, For/Do Loop

The following batch or command file (FORLUPW1.cmd) is an example that shows how to read a file and set an environment variable based on the content within the individual records. The file in this example will include three records and three environment variables will be set.

@echo OFF
     set CmdName=FORLUPW1
rem  * ************************************************************************
rem  *                 FORLUPW1.CMD - a Windows Command File                  *
rem  *           This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies            *
rem  *              (C) Copyright 1987-2023 All Rights Reserved               *
rem  *                Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com                 *
rem  *                      e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                   *
rem  * ************************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text    - A Windows FOR loop test using tokens in a record
rem  * Author  - SimoTime Technologies
rem  * Date    - November 11, 2003
rem  * Version - 10.12.16
rem  *
rem  * ********************************************************************
rem  * Prepare the Job, Set the global environment variables...
rem  *
     call ..\ENV1BASE %CmdName%
rem  *
     call SIMONOTE "*******************************************************************************%CmdName% "
     call SimoNOTE "* Starting CmdName %CmdName%.CMD"
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Step 1 of 6, Create a test file for input"
     echo FILE01,%BASECAT%\TXT1\SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE01.TXT>%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT1.TXT
     echo FILE02,%BASECAT%\TXT1\SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE02.TXT>>%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT1.TXT
     echo FILE03,%BASECAT%\TXT1\SIMOTIME.DATA.FILE03.TXT>>%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT1.TXT
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Step 2 of 6, For loop test to display information"
     for /F "eol=; tokens=1,2* delims=," %%i in (%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT1.TXT) do @echo %%i %%j %%k
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Step 3 of 6, For loop test to SET environment variables"
     for /F "eol=; tokens=1,2* delims=," %%i in (%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT1.TXT) do set %%i=%%j
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Step 4 of 6, Create a 2nd copy of the input file"
     echo FILE01,%FILE01%>%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT2.TXT
     echo FILE02,%FILE02%>>%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT2.TXT
     echo FILE03,%FILE03%>>%BASECAT%\TXT1\FORLUPT2.TXT
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Step 5 of 6, Create three files using environment variables"
     echo This is record 001 for FILE01>%FILE01%
     echo This is record 001 for FILE02>%FILE02%
     echo This is record 001 for FILE03>%FILE03%
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Step 6 of 6, Display End of JOB Information"
     call SimoNOTE "* Continue FILE01 is %FILE01% "
     call SimoNOTE "* Continue FILE02 is %FILE02% "
     call SimoNOTE "* Continue FILE03 is %FILE03% "
rem  *
     call SimoNOTE "* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *"
     call SimoNOTE "* Finished CmdName %CmdName%.CMD "
     if not "%SimoMODE%" == "BATCH" pause

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Ancillary Items

This section describes additional items that are used with this suite of sample programs.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section The Env1BASE Command

The following batch or command file (ENV1BASE.cmd) is used to set commonly shared environment variables.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               ENV1BASE.cmd - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *        This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies          *
rem  *           (C) Copyright 1987-2021 All Rights Reserved             *
rem  *             Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com               *
rem  *                   e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                 *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text   - Provide a single point to set common environment variables.
rem  * Author - SimoTime Technologies
rem  * Date   - January 24, 1996
rem  *
rem  * Set the commonly used environment variables. This is used to provide
rem  * a single point for managing the commonly used environment variables.
rem  *
     set SimoLIBR=c:\SimoLIBR
     set BASELIB1=c:\SIMOSAM1\DEVL
     set BASELIB8=c:\SimoSAM8
     set BaseWIP1=c:\SimoSAM1\WIP1
     set DATAZERO=c:\SIMODATA\DEVL\DATA\ZERO
     set BASEAPP=%BaseLib1%
     set BASESYS=%BaseLib1%\SYS1
     set BASECAT=%BaseLib1%\DATA
     set UMAPALIB=%BASECAT%\ASC1
     set UMAPELIB=%BASECAT%\EBC1
     set SYSLOG=%BASESYS%\LOGS\SYSLOG_USER.DAT
     set SYSOUT=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\SYSOUT_SIMSAM01.txt
     set SLZMSG=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\SLZMSG_USER.TXT
     set PostNOTE=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\JOBLOG_SIMONOTE.TXT
     set SIMONOTE=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\JOBLOG_SIMONOTE.txt
     set USERPOST=%BASEAPP%\LOGS\ASSIGNED_USER_POST_FILE.txt
     if [%1]==[] goto NO_POST
     set SYSOUT=%BaseLib1%\LOGS\SYSOUT_%1.txt
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE *"
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE ********************************************************************%1"
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE is preparing the System Environment..."
     call SIMONOTE "+ SIMOLIBR is %SIMOLIBR%"
     call SIMONOTE "+ MIFOSYS1 is %MIFOSYS1%"
     call SIMONOTE "+ BASELIB1 is %BASELIB1%"
:NO_POST
     call SIMONOTE "+ SIMONOTE Job Log File is %SIMONOTE% "
rem  *
     set MQBASE=C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere MQ
rem  *
rem  * Set the location for the Apache-Tomcat Server...
     set CATALINA_HOME=C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52
rem     set CATALINA_HOME=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_112
rem  *
rem  * Set the Environment for the Java Environment...
rem     set JAVABASE=C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52
     set JAVABASE=C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_112
     set JAVASDK="%JAVABASE%\bin"
     set JAVA_HOME=%JAVABASE%
     set JRE_HOME=%JAVABASE%
     set SIMOTCAT=%CATALINA_HOME%\webapps\simotcat
     set SIMPACKS=%CATALINA_HOME%\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes\simpacks
rem  *
rem  * Set the environment for the Micro Focus technology...
     set MIFOEDEV=C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Enterprise Developer
     set MIFOVCBL=C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Visual COBOL Build Tools
     set MIFOESTU=C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Studio Enterprise Edition 6.0
     set MIFOEMFE="C:\Program Files (x86)\Micro Focus\Mainframe Express"
rem  *
rem  * Large file support, performance tuning and record locking of the File Handler
     set EXTFH=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\EXTFHBIG.CFG
rem  *
rem  * For IMS Support
     set ES_IMSLIB=%BASEAPP%\IMSLIB
     set ES_ACBLIB=%BASEAPP%\IMSLIB
rem  *
rem  * EZASOKETS Check EZASOKETS Enabled box or set ES_EZASOKET_SUPPORT=YES
     set EZACONFG=BASESYS1\CONFIG\EZACONFG.dat
rem  *
rem  * Resource Allocation and Performance for SORT and non-Relational Data
rem  set MFJSENGINE=SYNCSORT
     set SORTSCHEME=1
     set SORTSPACE=750000000
     set TMP=C:\SORTWORK
rem  *
     set ES_ALLOC_OVERRIDE=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\CATMAPA1.cfg
rem  * For CORE_ON_ERROR function, ABEND Dump
rem  *     set COBCONFIG_=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\diagnose.cfg
rem  *
rem  * Consolidated Trace Facility (CTF)
rem  *     set MFTRACE_CONFIG=%BASESYS%\CONFIG\ctf.cfg
rem  *     set MFTRACE_LOGS=c:\ctflogs
rem  *
rem  * For Job Restart, ABEND Recovery
     set MF_UCC11=Y
     set ES_JES_RESTART=Y
rem  *
rem  * Set environment for MFBSI (Micro Focus Batch Scheduling Interface)
     set ES_EMP_EXIT_1=mfbsiemx
     set MFBSI_DIR=%BASESYS%\LOGS\%JESSERVERNAME%
     set MFBSIEOP_CMD=ENABLE
     set MFBSIEOP_CSV=ENABLE
     set MFBSIEOP_HTM=ENABLE
     set MFBSIEOP_XML=ENABLE
rem  *
rem  * Set Behavior and Trace Flags for GETJOBDD
rem  *   Position=12345678/12345678
     set JDDFLAGS=nnnWnnnn/YYnnnnnn
rem  *
rem  * If not already set then set the PATH for Micro Focus Directories
     if "%SIMOPATH%" == "Y" goto JUMPPATH
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "EDEV" goto JUMPEDEV
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "VCBL" goto JUMPVCBL
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "ESTU" goto JUMPESTU
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "EMFE" goto JUMPEMFE
:JUMPEDEV
     set path=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOEDEV%\bin;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%;%MIFOEDEV%\CPYLIB
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOEDEV%
     goto JUMPPATH
:JUMPVCBL
     set path=%MIFOVCBL%\bin;%MIFOVCBL%;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOVCBL%
     goto JUMPPATH
:JUMPESTU
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOESTU%\Base
     set MIFOBIN=%MIFOBASE%\bin
     set path=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOBASE%;%MIFOBIN%;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%;%MIFOBASE%\SOURCE
     goto JUMPPATH
:JUMPEMFE
     set MIFOBASE=%MIFOEMFE%\Base
     set MIFOBIN=%MIFOBASE%\bin
     set path=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOBASE%;%MIFOBIN%;%JAVASDK%;%BASEAPP%\JAVA;%PATH%;
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%;%MIFOBASE%\SOURCE
     goto JUMPPATH
rem  *
:JUMPPATH
     set SIMOPATH=Y
rem  *
     set MAINFRAME_FLOATING_POINT=true
     set COBIDY=%BASEAPP%\COBIDY
     set COBPATH=.;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB\GNTS;%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%SimoLIBR%
     set LIBPATH=.;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB;%BASEAPP%\LOADLIB\GNTS;%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%SimoLIBR%
     set TXDIR=%BASESYS%\LOADLIB;%MIFOBASE%
     set CobCpy=%BASEAPP%\CobCpy1;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy2;%BASEAPP%\CobCpy6;%SimoLIBR%
rem  *
     set USERCLASS=%BASELIB1%\LOADLIB
     set CLASSPATH=.
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%JAVABASE%
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%JAVABASE%\lib
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;\%USERCLASS%\simpacks
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes
     set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\APACHETC\apache-tomcat-7.0.52\webapps\simotcat\WEB-INF\classes\simpacks
rem  *
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "ESTU" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOBIN%
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "EDEV" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOEDEV%
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "VCBL" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOVCBL%
     if "%MIFOSYS1%" == "VCBL" set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;%MIFOVCBL%\bin\mfcobol.jar
rem  *
     set JobStatus=0000
     call SIMONOTE "+ ENV1BASE is returning to caller"

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section The SimoNOTE Command

The following batch or command file (SIMONOTE.cmd) is used to provide a consist methodology for displaying information to the screen and writing the same information to a log file with a date and time stamp.

@echo OFF
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *               SIMONOTE.cmd - a Windows Command File               *
rem  *         This program is provided by SimoTime Technologies         *
rem  *            (C) Copyright 1987-2019 All Rights Reserved            *
rem  *              Web Site URL:   http://www.simotime.com              *
rem  *                    e-mail:   helpdesk@simotime.com                *
rem  * *******************************************************************
rem  *
rem  * Text    - Display message on screen and write to a log file.
rem  * Author  - SimoTime Technologies
rem  *
rem  * This script may be called from other scripts and expects a single
rem  * parameter enclosed in double quotes. The double quotes will be
rem  * removed. Before writing to the log file a date and time stamp
rem  * will be inserted in front of the message text.
rem  *
rem  * Note: The tilde (~) removes leading/trailing double-quotes.
rem  *
if "%SimoNOTE%" == "" set SimoNOTE=c:\SimoLIBR\LOGS\SimoTime.LOG
echo %date% %time% %~1>> %SimoNOTE%
echo %~1

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Summary

The Windows "FOR" command will read a file that contains a list of items and do another Command to repetitively process each item in the list. This document may be used to assist as a tutorial for new programmers or as a quick reference for experienced programmers.

In the world of programming there are many ways to solve a problem. This documentation and software were developed and tested on systems that are configured for a SIMOTIME environment based on the hardware, operating systems, user requirements and security requirements. Therefore, adjustments may be needed to execute the jobs and programs when transferred to a system of a different architecture or configuration.

SIMOTIME Services has experience in moving or sharing data or application processing across a variety of systems. For additional information about SIMOTIME Services or Technologies please contact us using the information in the  Contact or Feedback  section of this document.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Software Agreement and Disclaimer

Permission to use, copy, modify and distribute this software, documentation or training material for any purpose requires a fee to be paid to SimoTime Technologies. Once the fee is received by SimoTime the latest version of the software, documentation or training material will be delivered and a license will be granted for use within an enterprise, provided the SimoTime copyright notice appear on all copies of the software. The SimoTime name or Logo may not be used in any advertising or publicity pertaining to the use of the software without the written permission of SimoTime Technologies.

SimoTime Technologies makes no warranty or representations about the suitability of the software, documentation or learning material for any purpose. It is provided "AS IS" without any expressed or implied warranty, including the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. SimoTime Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the loss of use, data or projects, whether in an action of contract or tort, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this software, documentation or training material.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Downloads and Links

This section includes links to documents with additional information that are beyond the scope and purpose of this document. The first group of documents may be available from a local system or via an internet connection, the second group of documents will require an internet connection.

Note: A SimoTime License is required for the items to be made available on a local system or server.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Current Server or Internet Access

The following links may be to the current server or to the Internet.

Note: The latest versions of the SimoTime Documents and Program Suites are available on the Internet and may be accessed using the Link to Internet icon. If a user has a SimoTime Enterprise License the Documents and Program Suites may be available on a local server and accessed using the Link to Server icon.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore An Enterprise System Model that describes and demonstrates how Applications that were running on a Mainframe System and non-relational data that was located on the Mainframe System were copied and deployed in a Microsoft Windows environment with Micro Focus Enterprise Server.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The ASCII and EBCDIC Translation Tables. These tables are provided for individuals that need to better understand the bit structures and differences of the encoding formats.

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore The File Status Return Codes that are used to interpret the results of accessing VSAM data sets and/or QSAM files.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Internet Access Required

The following links will require an internet connect.

This suite of programs and documentation is available to download for review and evaluation purposes. Other uses will require a SimoTime Software License. Link to an Evaluation zPAK Option that includes the program members, documentation and control files.

A good place to start is The SimoTime Home Page for access to white papers, program examples and product information. This link requires an Internet Connection

Explore The Micro Focus Web Site for more information about products (including Micro Focus COBOL) and services available from Micro Focus. This link requires an Internet Connection.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Glossary of Terms

Link to Internet   Link to Server   Explore the Glossary of Terms for a list of terms and definitions used in this suite of documents and white papers.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Contact or Feedback

This document was created and is maintained by SimoTime Technologies. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or feedback please use the following contact information.

1. Send an e-mail to our helpdesk.
1.1. helpdesk@simotime.com.
2. Our telephone numbers are as follows.
2.1. 1 415 763-9430 office-helpdesk
2.2. 1 415 827-7045 mobile

 

We appreciate hearing from you.

Table of Contents Previous Section Next Section Company Overview

SimoTime Technologies was founded in 1987 and is a privately owned company. We specialize in the creation and deployment of business applications using new or existing technologies and services. We have a team of individuals that understand the broad range of technologies being used in today's environments. Our customers include small businesses using Internet technologies to corporations using very large mainframe systems.

Quite often, to reach larger markets or provide a higher level of service to existing customers it requires the newer Internet technologies to work in a complementary manner with existing corporate mainframe systems. We specialize in preparing applications and the associated data that are currently residing on a single platform to be distributed across a variety of platforms.

Preparing the application programs will require the transfer of source members that will be compiled and deployed on the target platform. The data will need to be transferred between the systems and may need to be converted and validated at various stages within the process. SimoTime has the technology, services and experience to assist in the application and data management tasks involved with doing business in a multi-system environment.

Whether you want to use the Internet to expand into new market segments or as a delivery vehicle for existing business functions simply give us a call or check the web site at http://www.simotime.com

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Windows Command Files - The FOR Loop Processing
Copyright © 1987-2025
SimoTime Technologies and Services
All Rights Reserved
When technology complements business
http://www.simotime.com