Batch file : SET variable=string doesn't work

Question

I've this code :

if %Ret:~6,4% EQU %Year% (
SET test=text
ECHO %test%
) else (
ECHO NO
)

The code enters in the if loop but it returns always Echo is off! I've pay attention to the space before and after the =. Any ideas?

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 15 '13 at 09:14

7

Number #342 of this type of question this year.

Percent expansion occours when a block is parsed, before any line is executed.
So the echo %test% is expanded before the variable is set.

Therefor exists the delayed expansion, which expands when a line is executed.

setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
if "%Ret:~6,4%" EQU "%Year%" (
  SET test=text
  ECHO !test!
) else (
  ECHO NO
)

answered Nov 15 '13 at 09:14

jeb

1

It's not the problem here. I tried your solution but it put test instead of text – Alice Nov 15 '13 at 09:47
1

Yes, Alice, it is the problem and the solution. Maybe you didn't include the setlocal command as shown in jeb's answer. – foxidrive Nov 15 '13 at 10:30

1 Answers1