Put a delay in a batch job?

Ok, it's been a long time since I wrote a DOS batch job and I could have sworn that there was a 'wait' command? Need to introduce a delay before executing a command. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help.

I think 'pause' would do the trick...

Pause won't work, it only waits for user to strike a key before continuing.

What you need is this:

choice /n/t:c,25/c:cc

Basically the CHOICE command is used to accept menu choices in a batch file. If the user doesn't select an option, you can have it automatically choose an option.

In this case, we don't have any options and are basically only using the timer. You can have whatever delay you want (in seconds) just change the number in the command above to whatever you need.

I have found this site to be helpful in writing batch files. http://www.computerhope.com
This link leads to a page describing how to write a batch file delay. I'm not sure this fits your case. It read like it delayed the start of the run. It does give a good example of the CHOICE command at top of page. http://www.computerhope.com/batch.htm#4
They also have some useful utilities. One changes BAT files to COM files. The Tech guide is full of helpful tips and guides on how to write what you want.

I never would have thought of the Choice command. Brilliant. You guys are great. Thanks. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Quote:

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Originally posted by MacGyver:
<STRONG>Pause won't work, it only waits for user to strike a key before continuing.

What you need is this:

choice /n/t:c,25/c:cc

Basically the CHOICE command is used to accept menu choices in a batch file. If the user doesn't select an option, you can have it automatically choose an option.

In this case, we don't have any options and are basically only using the timer. You can have whatever delay you want (in seconds) just change the number in the command above to whatever you need.</STRONG>

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is there any similar to NT4 Command Prompt?

dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul
dir c:\ /s > nul

That oughta slow it down a bit <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Following command should stop the computer for 5 seconds, you can increase it up to 99
I think (been a while!)

TYPE NUL | CHOICE.COM /N /CY /TY,5 >NUL