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windowsbatch-fileargumentsparameter-expansion

How to pass a file with space in the name to command FC?

I have a diff script that wraps the command FC so that I just have to drop two files on it:

FC /L /N "%1" "%2" > diff.out.txt 2> diff.err.txt

It works fine, but if one of the files has spaces in the name... For example, my file paths being C:\Users\joH1\Desktop\file_with a_space.txt and C:\Users\joH1\Desktop\file_2.txt, I get the error (sorry for localization):

FC : commutateur non valide

FC : impossible d'ouvrir C:\USERS\JOH1\DESKTOP\FILE_WITH - Ce fichier ou dossier n'existe pas

So, the file name is split as two separate arguments, even though the paths are quoted.

To find out where this comes from, I added lines to my script:

echo %1
echo %2
FC /L /N "%1" "%2" > diff.out.txt 2> diff.err.txt
pause

I get correct output for the echos (though args are unquoted!):

"C:\Users\joH1\Desktop\file_with a_space.txt"
"C:\Users\joH1\Desktop\file_2.txt"

I even tried with dir to make sure echo was not merging back the split args, and I got a correct result (file was recognized and listed => name not split).

So; I guess FC is to blame here.

Is there a way of telling it not to split a file name? (like quotes are supposed to?)
I'd like a way that is compatible with drag & drop, and that is not Rename your files without spaces, if possible...

Thanks in advance!

Solution 
  • FC /L /N "%~1" "%~2" > diff.out.txt 2> diff.err.txt

    should read your files. I'm assuming your parameters are merely double-quoted and that they don't contain ` as posted.