Changing a variable name within the code

Question

I want to change the name of a variable within a batch file because that way I wouldn't have to type out the same code 24 times.

I would like something like this but that actually works:

set n=1
set t=1

:loop

set /p %n%%t% = this will be variable %n%%t%:

echo %%n%%t%%

set /a n+=1
set /a t+=1

goto loop

There are so many "real" scripting languages you can use on Windows - I strongly urge you to *AVOID* using .bat files except for the most simplistic of tasks. VBScript and Powershell are two *far superior*, built-in options. IMHO... — paulsm4, Mar 19 '16 at 20:09
I suggest you to read [Arrays-linked-lists-and-other-data-structures-in-cmd-exe-batch-script](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/10166386/arrays-linked-lists-and-other-data-structures-in-cmd-exe-batch-script/10167990#10167990) — Aacini, Mar 19 '16 at 22:34

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 19 '16 at 20:10

1

You can use an array for that. Try this:

set arrayline[%n%][%t%] = this will be variable %n%%t%:

answered Mar 19 '16 at 20:10

redent84

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npocmaka · Answer 2 · 2016-03-19T22:06:09.027

Consider FOR /L instead of goto - it will work faster and the code will more maintanable.Though you'll need also delayed expansion

@echo off
setlocal enableDelayedExpansion
set n=1
set t=1


for /l %%# in (1;1;24) do (

    set /p element[!n!][!t!]= enter the value of element[!n!!t!] : 
    set /a n+=1
    set /a t+=1
)
(echo()
echo listing elements:
(echo()
set element

endlocal

Mind that if you left spaces around = when you assign value of a variable the space will become part of the variable name.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 19 '16 at 20:36

Two errors.

First is that you've included a space in the variable being set, as already noted.

Second is that you can't use echo with variablenames that start with a numeric.

You can see the variable using set 1 (for instance) so it would be possible to use something like for /f "tokens-1*delims==" %%a in ('set 1') do if "%%a"=="1" echo %%b

for instance, to extract the value of the environment variable 1

BUT - it's a whole lot easier to simply use variablenames that don't start with numerics.

%n where n is 0..9 refers to parameter n to the routine in question.

Changing a variable name within the code

3 Answers3