Sorting a folder full of files

[acerimmer10]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could help me getting started on a batch file for sorting a folder full of files.

The files are named in the format of <filename><Rev Letter>.pdf example 00500-1747B.pdf

What we are trying to do is to remove all the older revisions from the folder, i.e if a D exists remove A-C from the folder into an archive folder.

I was thinking of using the Dos short file name as the identifier ~3 etc but if there is an easier way to identify the files that would be great.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[dbenham]

I'm not seeing how the short 8.3 name can help.

This is totally untested. Please make a copy of your directory before you try this

Code: Select all

@echo off
setlocal enableDelayedExpansion
set prevName=:none
for %%F in ('dir /b /oe-n *.pdf *.docx') do (
  set "name=%%~nF"
  set "name=!name:~0,-1!%%~xF"
  if !name!==!prevName! del "%%F"
  set "prevName=!name!"
)

I sort first by extension, then by name descending so you can handle multiple extensions in one pass.


Dave Benham

[Aacini]

Well, you want not to sort file names, but to archive several files excepting the last one from a group of similar-named files, right?

Code: Select all

@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
set lastName=.
for %%f in (*.pdf) do (
   set newName=%%~Nf
   set newName=!newName:~0,-1!
   if !lastName! == !newName! echo Archive: !lastFullName!
   set lastName=!newName!
   set lastFullName=%%f
)

Previous code assume there is not spaces embedded in file names, but it is easy to fix this point if needed.

Opps! Dave: your answer was posted when I am writting the mine!!!

[acerimmer10]

Thanks guys,

With a little modification I was able to get that working...

Thanks..

[aj50]

Hi,

With a little modification I was able to get that working...

Could you post modifications.
All examples help.
The code was put into a .bat file... right?

Thanks