Join Log in
Score:0
wb6vpm avatar Server

Looking for a way to replace every instance of a non-zero sized file in a directory tree using a batch file

us flag
wb6vpm

I am trying to figure out a way to have a batch script overwrite every instance of a non-zero byte file inside of a specific directory and its sub-folders. I'm guessing since I'm looking for a non-zero file I could probably loop it with a escape if it doesn't find any non-zero sized file?

Example, overwrite every instance of example.txt where it is a non-zero filesize:

D:\
\---SubFolder1
    |   example.txt <10 bytes>
    |
    \---Subfolder2
        |   example.txt <0 bytes>
        |
        \---Subsubfolder1
                example.txt <20 bytes>

In the example, D:\Subfolder1\example.txt, and D:\Subfolder2\Subsubfolder1\example.txt would be overwritten, but D:\Subfolder2\example.txt wouldn't be changed.

Thank you to @NiKiZe for all your help!

Working Code:

@ECHO OFF

SET DPATH=%~dp0

FOR /R "%DPATH%" %%F IN (*** SEE BELOW) DO IF %%~zF GTR NEQ 0 CALL :NonEmptyFile "%%~F"
GOTO :EOF

:NonEmptyFile
ECHO Got non empty file: %1
CALL :EOF

*** Replace with filename that you are wanting to replace, be sure to use a single character wildcard somewhere (I used it in the extension - for example, if I am searching for example.txt, I replaced the * with example.t?t)

120
1 + 2
in flag
NiKiZe
Does it have to be `cmd` ? You will have to do loops and recursive calls, but internal `for` should be able to do this.
0
Reply
in flag
NiKiZe
I was wrong on the recursive calls things, at least from what I understand from the question, but might be wrong? Maybe it should only check for "example.txt"?
0
Reply
wb6vpm avatar
us flag
wb6vpm
Unfortunately, yes, I'm looking to add this to an existing batch file, where I need to replace existing files that have been updated (non-zero size) with the original 0 byte size file, and the file exists in multiple subfolders that can change, so I can't just hardcode every possible (sub)folder to just wipe and restore.
0
Reply
Score:1
avatar Server
in flag
NiKiZe

Minimal batch that walks a given path and all subfiles and subpaths, calling the NonEmptyFile label for every non empty file.

@ECHO OFF

SET DPATH=%~dp0

FOR /R "%DPATH%" %%F IN (*) DO IF %%~zF GTR 0 CALL :NonEmptyFile "%%~F"
GOTO :EOF

:NonEmptyFile
  ECHO Got non empty file: %1
CALL :EOF

By using %~1 in the function it will be expanded and you can use something like COPY /Y "somefile.txt" "%~1" How you want to overwrite the files was not specified.

Another option to create "empty files" is ECHO. > "%~1"

Explanation:

  • FOR /R "%DPATH%" %%F IN (*) DO walks every file
  • IF %%~zF GTR 0 if file size is greater than ...
  • CALL :NonEmptyFile "%%~F" Call the :NonEmptyFile label with the filename escaped

To test this at prompt, use FOR /R "D:\SubFolder1\" %F IN (*) DO IF %~zF GTR 0 ECHO NonEmptyFile "%~F"

More info on how for works is given by running for /? in cmd

0 + 0
wb6vpm avatar
us flag
wb6vpm
Thank you very much! I had to make a few tweaks to get it to cooperate, but this gave me a very good starting point!
0
Reply
ธงชาติไทย
Elon Musk
I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

mangohost

Post an answer

Most people don’t grasp that asking a lot of questions unlocks learning and improves interpersonal bonding. In Alison’s studies, for example, though people could accurately recall how many questions had been asked in their conversations, they didn’t intuit the link between questions and liking. Across four studies, in which participants were engaged in conversations themselves or read transcripts of others’ conversations, people tended not to realize that question asking would influence—or had influenced—the level of amity between the conversationalists.