Windows Server 2008 Server Core : Creating Executable Batch Files with Batch File Compiler 5.2, Develop and Compile Batch Files with Quick Batch File Compiler

1. Creating Executable Batch Files with Batch File Compiler 5.2

The main reason to use the Batch File Compiler is to create an executable from your batch file—a task this utility performs very well. However, this utility does a lot more. The Batch File Compiler is a shareware product that works with pure batch files, but it can also augment batch files so that they do more. For example, you can perform math within your batch file when you compile it using this utility. You can download the Batch File Compiler at http://www.topshareware.com/Batch-File-Compiler-download-45.htm.

The feature I like best about this product is that it's very simple. Figure 1 shows the interface for this product. The main window lets you access and edit your batch files. Select an option from the Extended Commands menu when you want to add more functionality to your batch file. You can find a complete list of these features in the bfcped.HTM file provided as part of the application.

Figure 1. Batch File Compiler supports a simple interface that makes it easy to create batch file executables.

To compile your application, edit the batch file code and then click Compile. The utility opens a dialog box where you type the name of the executable you want to create. After you provide the name, the utility asks which operating system you're using to execute the batch file (the choices are essentially DOS or Windows). Once you select an operating system, the utility completes the compilation and displays a success message. A few odd things happened when I used the resulting application. First, it seemed to assume that I would use some of the extended features to place the cursor on screen. Second, the output didn't use the colors I selected for the command prompt—it used the default command prompt colors instead. Otherwise, the batch file worked precisely as it should. When using the demonstration version of the product, you also have to live with the developer's commercial messages.

2. Develop and Compile Batch Files with Quick Batch File Compiler

The Quick Batch File Compiler has all the look and feel of a development platform. This isn't the kind of utility that you use for a quick application—it's an environment you can use to perform in-depth coding with your batch files. Everything about this product feels solid. For example, when you load your batch file for editing, you'll immediately notice that the editor uses color coding to make the code more readable. In addition, I found that the help file was an easy read and put together in a way that made accessing the various topics fast. You can download this utility at http://www.abyssmedia.com/quickbfc/index.shtml.

The best way to use the Quick Batch File Compiler is with the IDE shown in Figure 2. However, you can also use it in batch mode by supplying an input filename and an output (executable) filename. The IDE has an upper window where you edit the code and a lower window where you can see the results of any tasks you perform. For example, the utility uses this window when it compiles the application for you.

Figure 2. Color coding and great help features make Quick Batch File Compiler easy to use.

Unlike most utilities, this one includes a number of customizations that you need to produce a professional looking executable. The Custom Resources tab shown in Figure 3 shows the customizations you can perform. You can include a file description, company name, version, and an icon. Everything works as it should. Displaying the executable's Properties dialog box shows the results of these entries.

Figure 3. The Custom Resources tab helps you customize your application as needed.