Windows CMD auto-use specific program to run command - windows

Question

Here is my problem (which is more a workflow concern than a real problem):
I'm currently learning how to use Symfony 4 and as you may know, this framework uses a lot of commands with PHP, using the $ php bin/console command command line.
Here's my question: is there any possible way to configure a CMD window so I dont have to always type the $ php bin/console before the command name?

Answer 1

You will need a batch file to accomplish your task
Save the following code in your project folder where the bin folder and other Symfony files resides and name it SymfonyConsole.bat
#echo off
:SymfonyConsolePrompt
set "SymfonyConsoleCommand="
echo,
set /p "SymfonyConsoleCommand=Symfony Console Command>"
for /F "tokens=*" %%C in ("%SymfonyConsoleCommand%") do set "SymfonyConsoleCommand=%%C"
if defined SymfonyConsoleCommand (
php bin/console %SymfonyConsoleCommand%
) else (
choice /C NY /N /M "Do you want to quit Symfony Console Prompt?[YN]"
if errorlevel 2 exit /b
)
goto :SymfonyConsolePrompt
Then at the command prompt type > SymfonyConsole
You will get this prompt Symfony Console Command> ready to get commands for the console component of Sympony.
ex: Symfony Console Command>server:start 0.0.0.0:8000 will automatically run php console/bin server:start 0.0.0.0:8000 and then waits for the next Sympony console command until you hit enter without entering anything in which case you can quit the batch file and return to the cmd prompt.

Answer 2

The easiest (and recommended) way would be to load the php bin/console into a variable then just reuse the variable
I'm not familiar with the $ php bin/console syntax but I think in windows script the equivalent is just php bin/console
So you can try this:
SET phpconsole=php bin/console/
"%phpconsole%Command1"
"%phpconsole%Command2"
would result in this:
"php bin/console/Command1"
"php bin/console/Command2"
What does your existing windows batch file look like?

Answer 3

#echo off
setlocal
:: Check 1st argument for help.
if "%~1" == "-h" goto :help
if "%~1" == "--help" goto :help
if "%~1" == "/?" goto :help
:: Check script arguments for program.
set _program=%*
:: If not program defined, prompt for program.
if not defined _program set /p "_program=Enter the program: "
:: If the required program is not defined then exit.
if not defined _program exit /b 1
:: Set a prompt string.
set "_prompt=%_program:"='%>"
:: Show information before start of the loop.
echo Pass arguments to '%_program%' in a loop.
echo.
:begin_loop
:: Prompt for arguments.
set "_args="
set /p "_args=%_prompt% "
:: Restart loop if no args or exit if requested.
if not defined _args goto :begin_loop
if /i "%_args:"='%" == "exit" exit /b 0
:: Clear local variables and then run the program with arguments.
setlocal
set "_prompt=" & set "_program=" & set "_args=" & %_program% %_args%
endlocal
echo.
goto :begin_loop
:help
:: Help information.
echo Pass arguments to a select program in a loop.
echo If script arguments are passed, then that will be the program.
echo If a program is not defined, then a prompt will ask for a program.
echo Variables _prompt, _program and _args are cleared with each execution.
This is same as I have posted at my website, except a line
removed that sets a ANSI escaped prompt for conemu. Doubt this
site would keep the control character intact if posted.
I call it loop.cmd and place it in PATH (see note). It is made for any
command so is universal.
To use:
loop command
then you will get a prompt with the command in it i.e.
command>
What you type at the prompt now will be prefixed with
command and executed.
You can just type exit to end the loop.
Based on your code example of use:
loop php bin/console
then add your command at the prompt:
php bin/console> command
A Python version exists too though I use the batch file
as it keeps auto completion etc.
Note:
The PATH I mention is where the script can find files on your system.
A path in the PATH environmental variable or the current
working directory.
Recommend creating a folder path i.e. %SystemDrive%\bin and add
that to the system variable PATH where your PATH suitable
scripts can be stored. Or you could just add the script to an
existing directory in the variable PATH if you are uncomfortable
to add your own directory to PATH.
How to set the path and environment variables in Windows