Question

I have a batch file that runs several python scripts that do table modifications.

1. I want to have users comment out the 1-2 python scripts that they don’t want to run, rather than removing them from the batch file (so the next user knows these scripts exist as options!)

2. I also want to add comments to bring to their attention specifically the variables they need to update in the Batch file before they run it. I see that I can use REM. But it looks like that’s more for updating the user with progress after they’ve run it.

Is there a syntax for more appropriately adding a comment?

Answer 1

The rem command is indeed for comments. It doesn’t inherently update anyone after running the script. Some script authors might use it that way instead of echo, though, because by default the batch interpreter will print out each command before it’s processed. Since rem commands don’t do anything, it’s safe to print them without side effects. To avoid printing a command, prefix it with @, or, to apply that setting throughout the program, run @echo off. (It’s echo off to avoid printing further commands; the @ is to avoid printing that command prior to the echo setting taking effect.)

So, in your batch file, you might use this:

@echo off
REM To skip the following Python commands, put "REM" before them:
python foo.py
python bar.py