Question

I have created a batch file that regularly gets triggered from an automated job.

Within the batch file, I want to check if time is between 12AM and 8AM, set a variable with a particular value, otherwise, set it to the default.

Any tips I how might do this in a batch file?

Answer 1

for /f "delims=:." %%T in ("%time%") do if %%T lss 08 (set var=someValue) else (set var=default)

Edit – zb226 is correct – the above is more complicated than need be. Much simpler to do

if %time:~0,2% lss 08 (set var=someValue) else (set var=default)

The leading 0 in 08 is critical. The reason is that numbers preceded by 0 are treated as octal notation, and 8 and 9 are not valid octal digits. The IF statement will do a string comparison if it sees an invalid octal number on either side. So if the current hour is 09, then 09 lss 8 is TRUE because 0 sorts before 8. Changing to 09 lss 08 gives the correct answer.

Either solution above sets the value to default if it is exactly 8:00:00.00 AM. If you really want the “particular value” through 8:00:00.00 AM and default any time after, then it is a bit more complex. In that case I would revert back to the FOR solution.

for /f "tokens=1-4 delims=:." %%A in ("%time%") do (
  set var=default
  if %%A lss 08 set var=someValue
  if %%A%%B%%C%%D equ 08000000 set var=someValue
)