start can't distinguish title and command/program when double-quotes is used

Add Comment | Related Links | TrackBack
Related Content

start can't distinguish title and command/program when double-quotes is used

Today, I tried to start a simple script in a separate window when I bumped into a problem with Windows XP's "start" command. I executed the following command on the command-line and guess what happened?

start "C:\transfer\briefcase\Cyrah Tasks\Daily Browsing\Execute.cmd"

It started a new Command Prompt, but nothing happened. It left me at the prompt. The title bar of the Command Prompt shows "C:\transfer\briefcase\Cyrah Tasks\Daily Browsing\Execute.cmd".

Odd. I turns out that you can specify a title for the Command Prompt when you surround it with double-quotes ("). But I have to use the double-quotes with the path because it contains spaces. So the "start" command thought I was just specifying a title.

To get around this problem, simply specify a title in addition to the command/program. For example:

start "Task Execution" "C:\transfer\briefcase\Cyrah Tasks\Daily Browsing\Execute.cmd"

It was easy to work around, but it took me a while to figure out the actual problem.

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:22:07 +0000

Add Comment | Related Links | TrackBack
Related Content

Did your message disappear? Read the Forums FAQ.

Add Comment

Spam Control | * indicates required field

TrackBack

TrackBack only accepted from WebSite-X Suite web sites. Do not submit TrackBacks from other sites.

Send Ping | TrackBack URL | Spam Control

No TrackBacks yet. TrackBack can be used to link this thread to your weblog, or link your weblog to this thread. In addition, TrackBack can be used as a form of remote commenting. Rather than posting the comment directly on this thread, you can posts it on your own weblog. Then have your weblog sends a TrackBack ping to the TrackBack URL, so that your post would show up here.

Messages, files, and images copyright by respective owners.

Fun for Photographers