Advanced Batch File Course - Summary

  o  To use BATCH files effectively you must:

     -  Know DOS thoroughly, e.g. Piping, Wildcards, PATH & APPEND Etc.

     -  Apply KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

        -- BATCH files run S-L-O-W-L-Y        ... Keep Them Short & In RAM
        -- BATCH files are PROGRAMS           ... Complex Ones Have BUGS!
        -- BATCH files have little "elegance" ... Use Power Languages for Power
        -- BATCH files often are "silent"     ... What the @#!? happened here?
        -- BATCH files can be Dressed Up      ... If You Pay the Price!

     -  COMBINE "Programs" with BATCH files for Mutual Benefit

  o  Experiment and USE the Language, Its FREE and Not TOO Dangerous!

     -- You can EDIT "piped" DIR's, dBASE printouts, etc. quickly to
        create .BAT files for long-running, tedious input chores such as
        backing up files, downloading mainframe datasets etc. etc.

     -- BATCH files can CREATE 'programs' or other BATCH files using ECHO
        and other DOS techniques.  AND, if the output is a .BAT file,
        the "creator" can EXECUTE the new "Program" too!

     -- PROGRAMS can create or edit .BAT files, whether or not the .BAT
        file is already "running".  This allows a great deal of power,
        and done properly, can automate "dreadful" tasks, or provide
        "nice" interfaces etc. and do so WITHOUT "Ram Cram" problems!

     -- Yes, we showed you that you can write "Worms" with batch files,
        and (conceivably) even Viruses, but the real problem is to avoid
        creating a BUG FACTORY when the slightest thing goes wrong! The
        answer is (1) Knowledge; (2) Planning; (3) Believe Murphy's Law!

        PRACTICE "Defensive Programming" with BATCH files and ALL Languages!