Batch file include external file for variables

Question

I have a batch file and I want to include an external file containing some variables (say configuration variables). Is it possible?

Answer 1

Kinda old subject but I had same question a few days ago and I came up with another idea (maybe someone will still find it usefull)

For example you can make a config.bat with different subjects (family, size, color, animals) and apply them individually in any order anywhere you want in your batch scripts:

@echo off
rem Empty the variable to be ready for label config_all
set config_all_selected=

rem Go to the label with the parameter you selected
goto :config_%1

REM This next line is just to go to end of file 
REM in case that the parameter %1 is not set
goto :end

REM next label is to jump here and get all variables to be set
:config_all
set config_all_selected=1


:config_family
set mother=Mary
set father=John
set sister=Anna
rem This next line is to skip going to end if config_all label was selected as parameter
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end

:config_test
set "test_parameter_all=2nd set: The 'all' parameter WAS used before this echo"
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end

:config_size
set width=20
set height=40
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end


:config_color
set first_color=blue
set second_color=green
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end


:config_animals
set dog=Max
set cat=Miau
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end


:end

After that, you can use it anywhere by calling fully with 'call config.bat all' or calling only parts of it (see example bellow) The idea in here is that sometimes is more handy when you have the option not to call everything at once. Some variables maybe you don't want to be called yet so you can call them later.

Example test.bat

@echo off

rem This is added just to test the all parameter
set "test_parameter_all=1st set: The 'all' parameter was NOT used before this echo"

call config.bat size

echo My birthday present had a width of %width% and a height of %height%

call config.bat family
call config.bat animals

echo Yesterday %father% and %mother% surprised %sister% with a cat named %cat%
echo Her brother wanted the dog %dog%

rem This shows you if the 'all' parameter was or not used (just for testing)
echo %test_parameter_all%

call config.bat color

echo His lucky color is %first_color% even if %second_color% is also nice.

echo.
pause

Hope it helps the way others help me in here with their answers.

A short version of the above:

config.bat

@echo off
set config_all_selected=
goto :config_%1
goto :end

:config_all
set config_all_selected=1

:config_family
set mother=Mary
set father=John
set daughter=Anna
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end

:config_size
set width=20
set height=40
if not "%config_all_selected%"=="1" goto :end

:end

test.bat

@echo off

call config.bat size
echo My birthday present had a width of %width% and a height of %height%

call config.bat family
echo %father% and %mother% have a daughter named %daughter%

echo.
pause

Good day.