Trying to conditionally change a file path in a windows batch script - windows

Question

I have a simple script that launches an XML file path in Notepad++
Unfortunately, the generated file path for some of the files is incorrect and I'm trying to compensate for it in the script (ideal fix is clearly to resolve the path issue but at the moment this is not an option).
Here is what I have, apologies for the code I'm very new to Batch Script...
set /p filePath= Enter file path:
if "%filePath%" == "1" goto xmlMenu
else if "%filePath%" == "file://path/of/file/*/*/*/*/A/*.XML"
set filePath="file://path/of/file/*/*/*/*/B/*.XML"
goto openXML
I would like the filePath variable to inherit the rest of the path from the user input but at the moment its explicitly setting the path with the wildcards. There also seems to be a problem with the way I have stated the condition as it appears to set the path to /B/*.XML regardless of the else if condition.

Answer 1

There are many errors, but as you say, youre new.
First, if the filepath you enter is "1" then you should arrive safely at xmlmenu.
The next line will generate an error because with an else clause,
the If-true instruction must be (parenthesised)
the ( must occur on the same physical line as the if
the sequence ) else ( must all be on the same physical line (which need not be the same as the if)
In any case, the else is redundant. If the condition is not true, the jump will not happen, hence the next statement line will be executed.
if...==... is true if the string on the left is identical to the sring on the right, hence you would need for the entered string to be absolutely identical to file://path/of/file/*/*/*/*/A/*.XML for the if to be true. The action-statment also must be on the same physical line as the if, so this is a second source of syntax errors.
the set is then executed, assigning that famous string (in quotes) to the variable filepath. And then we're off to openxml.
Note that \ is a path separator in Windows; / is a switch-specifier.
Now - if you were to explain what you want to do - perhaps enter a filename which may be somewhere in a directory structure and if it's found then assign what? to the variable filepath. One or two examples would be a good idea.
This should get a usable system going. The numeric check is incomplete, but would be adequate. I've not made it bullet-proof against a user determined to break it...
#ECHO OFF
SETLOCAL
:again
SET "filepath="
set /p filePath="Please enter filepath as yyyymmdd : "
IF NOT DEFINED filepath GOTO :EOF
if "%filePath%" == "1" goto xmlMenu
:: test to see whether entered data is numeric
SET /a "filepath=%filepath%" 2>nul
IF %filepath%==0 echo invalid entry - numerics only, please&GOTO again
IF %filepath% lss 19800100 GOTO badymd
IF %filepath% gtr 20991231 GOTO badymd
SET filepath=\path\prefix\%filepath:~0,4%\%filepath:~4,2%\%filepath:~6,2%
:: This is just to show the filepath constructed
ECHO filepath is "%filepath%"
IF NOT exist "%filepath%\A\*.xml" ECHO "%filepath%\A\*.xml" does NOT exist&GOTO again
IF NOT exist "%filepath%\B\*.xml" ECHO "%filepath%\B\*.xml" does NOT exist&GOTO again
SET "filepath=%filepath%\B\*.xml"
goto openXML
:badymd
ECHO invalid entry - 4 digits FOR year, 2 FOR month an 2 FOR day, please
GOTO again
:xmlmenu
ECHO AT xmlmenu&GOTO :eof
:openxml
ECHO AT openxml with filepath="%filepath%"&GOTO :eof
GOTO :EOF
Obviously, change the path prefix to suit.
For an input of 20140220, the path ....\2014\02\20 would be constructed. Then there's a check for and this +\B\*.xml - I can only presume both must exist to proceed to openxml.