Adding a line from one text file to another text file

[virad]

Hey guys, I'm doing a project and the program I'm trying to use only reads the last line of the latest updated file.

So I have a two text files, a.txt and b.txt

a.txt has bunch of numbers
11
123
22
33

b.txt as well
44
99
4321
11

I'm trying to make a batch file to add the lines of a.txt to b.txt ONE LINE AT A TIME in certain time interval.
So I would like line 1 '11' to be added to the end of b.txt. Then after a bit a delay of couple seconds, add line 2 '123' of a.txt onto the last line of b.txt.

Making this into a new file is not a problem as long as the last file is updated.

I've seen the following from another post but I need it to update one line at a time. Please help
TYPE B.TXT>>A.TXT should append b.txt to a.txt (caps are for emphasis only)
Copy a.txt+b.txt requires a new output file, a file cannot be copied onto itself.
e.g. copy a.txt+b.txt c.txt (c.txt would contain the appended files.)

Thank you for the help!

[foxidrive]

Test this:

Code: Select all

@echo off
for /f "usebackq delims=" %%a in ("a.txt") do (
   >>"b.txt" echo %%a
   timeout /t 2 /nobreak
)

[virad]

Hey foxdrive,

The system cannot find the file a.txt.

That's what I keep getting. I tried changing the directory and changing the name file. The file is there in the same folder, I don't understand why it can't 'find' it.

[virad]

It worked!!!

Code: Select all

@echo off
for /f "usebackq delims=" %%a in (ab.txt) do (
   >>"b.txt" echo %%a
   timeout /t 2 /nobreak
)

I took out the "" in ("a.txt") so that the file was (a.txt). Also, I renamed my file to 'a' instead of 'a.txt' I don't see the difference but I guess it makes a difference.

I'm guessing as this is running, it is updating the file as in saving the file every time it adds the line. WOW FANTASTIC BABY DANCE.

Thank you so much foxidrive!

[foxidrive]

Code: Select all

@echo off
for /f "usebackq delims=" %%a in (ab.txt) do (
   >>"b.txt" echo %%a
   timeout /t 2 /nobreak
)

I took out the "" in ("a.txt") so that the file was (a.txt). Also, I renamed my file to 'a' instead of 'a.txt'

I'm glad you're satisfied.

The "" around "a.txt" is supposed to be there as it allows you to use "d:\folder with spaces\filename with spaces.txt" and the term usebackq is what allows this.
Something else interfered in your tests...