renaming files - DOS question?

[dbroada]

I have a bunch of files to rename from (typically) E343-12-GA-0001-01.dwg to E343-12-GA-0001-01-T.dwg

 

I used to be able to do this in DOS but I have forgotten how. When I try now I get E343-12-GA-0001-T.dwg (note the absence of -01)

 

anybody want to help me out?

 

I am currently renumbering my files by doing a dir.* /b > renumber.bat and editing the file in EXCEL but this more prone to operator error than the other way.

 

I don't need to use DOS if there is a windows command available.

[ReMark]

The old REN command as it was referred to in DOS. Still can be used in Windows from a command line prompt.

[dbroada]

that's what I'm using, I can't find the syntax to add the -T afer the file name but before the .dwg

[ReMark]

Try looking in Windows Explorer under Help. Search for rename files. One of the results will be Rename (REN). I'm pretty sure all the syntax is explained there.

[Lee Mac]

This should work in LISP:

 

(defun c:DocSuff (/ *error* *acad FOLDER FPATH SHELL SUFF)
 (vl-load-com)
 ;; Suffix Filename  ~  Lee Mac

 (defun *error* (msg)
   (and Shell (not (vlax-object-released-p Shell))
              (vlax-release-object Shell))    
   (or (wcmatch (strcase msg) "*BREAK,*CANCEL*,*EXIT*")
       (princ (strcat "\n** Error: " msg " **")))
   (princ))

 (setq Suff (getstring t "\nSpecify Suffix: ")
       *acad  (vlax-get-acad-object)
       shell  (vla-getInterfaceObject *acad "Shell.Application")
       folder (vlax-invoke-method shell 'BrowseForFolder
                (vla-get-HWND *acad) "Select Directory" 0))
 (vlax-release-object shell)
 
 (if folder
   (progn
     (setq fpath (vlax-get-property
                   (vlax-get-property folder 'Self) 'Path))
     
     (and (/= (substr fpath (strlen fpath)) "\\")
          (setq fpath (strcat fpath "\\")))
     
     (foreach dwg (mapcar
                    (function
                      (lambda (x) (strcat fpath x)))
                    (vl-directory-files fpath "*.dwg" 1))
       
       (vl-file-rename dwg
         (strcat fpath (vl-filename-base dwg) Suff ".dwg"))))
   
   (princ "\n*Cancel*"))
 
 (princ))

 

Will rename all in a directory.

[ReMark]

Renaming files and directories (folders) for DOS and Windows users.

 

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000846.htm#4

 

I think you just need a wildcard.

[dbroada]

thanks for the suggestions guys, in the end it wasn't too bad using excel - I just had to set it up once then copy & paste the list into one column and copy the modified list back to the file and rename it .bat, click and all done.

 

Mark, all the example I could find would CHANGE a part of the file name (say 5th letter) but not add to it. Still can't remember how to append a part (other than programatically - thanks Lee, I was going to VB it but you were quicker) within the name. I thought I used to know how but maybe not.

[Lee Mac]

... (other than programatically - thanks Lee, I was going to VB it but you were quicker)

 

No worries, whatever works for you - I just stick to what I know

[ReMark]

Example: Rename two files called plot.log and replot log to plot-T.log and replot-T.log using DOS.

 

ren *.* *-T.*

 

This assumes that there are no other file extensions in the folder since the * is a wildcard. If there are we must get specific and type:

 

ren *.log *-T.log

 

Ring any bells there Dave?

[dbroada]

Example: Rename two files called plot.log and replot log to plot-T.log and replot-T.log using DOS.

 

ren *.* *-T.*

 

This assumes that there are no other file extensions in the folder since the * is a wildcard. If there are we must get specific and type:

 

ren *.log *-T.log

 

Ring any bells there Dave?

that is what I (thought I) tried but I just got 12345678.dwg > 123456-T.dwg

 

could be operator error though. I have another set to rename next year. I'll see if I can remember it then.

[eldon]

Doesn't DOS have an eight character limit on file names?

[dbroada]

I guess pure DOS does but the "command prompt" that comes with XP looks like DOS and smell like DOS so I call it DOS - and it doesn't have that restriction.

[Lee Mac]

I guess pure DOS does but the "command prompt" that comes with XP looks like DOS and smell like DOS so I call it DOS - and it doesn't have that restriction.

 

If all else fails - just use VB / LISP

[ReMark]

I think I may be in error. The rename above may return something like this:

 

plot.log-T.log and not plot-T.log

 

I'd have to test it out. I know I could do it if it only involved one file because it could be written very specific. Example: ren plot.log plot-T.log Renaming multiple files would have to be done differently. Something to think about.

[Lee Mac]

Updated my code

[eldon]

Try using query marks instead of each character in the file name thus:-

 

ren ??????????????????.* ??????????????????-T.*

 

A wildcard * seems to behave strangely, when used as the file name.

[dbroada]

I think that may be how I did it in the past!

 

This time I tried

ren ???????????????????.dwg *-T.dwg

 

but just got the last 2 chars changed and then it left me in a mess as those numbers are the sheet designation so sheet T now already exists IYSWIM.

 

I'll give that a try on the next set

[ReMark]

Dave: For a single file eldon's way does work. Just tried it out myself using the drawing file name you provided.

[dbroada]

it should work on a complete directory too provided the correct number of ? are supplied. Once I saw it I thought "THAT'S I! How did I forget. Doh"

 

Oh well, one set done and I currently know how to do the other set. And if I forget after Christmas I should be able to come back here and remind myself.

[ReMark]

Doesn't DOS have an eight character limit on file names?

 

That was overcome during the evolution of Windows to allow for long file names.