Reading tab and new line characters

[stephjo]

Hi folks,

I am working on a simple script that can read a file and display contents line-by-line. The following script (from another thread here) doesn't display the new line and tab characters in the read file. My hunch is that the solution is rather simple, but I can't seem to figure it out. Could you please help?

Thanks!
-Steph

test.bat is here:

Code: Select all

@echo off
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
for /f "tokens=*" %%a in ('type filename.txt') do (
set line=%%a
echo !line!
PAUSE>NUL|SET /P=
)

filename.txt is here:

Code: Select all

header1
   sam
   bob
   stephen

header2
   sam
   bob
   stephen

[foxidrive]

Replace "tokens=*" with "delims=" as the former strips leading whitespace.

[stephjo]

Foxidrive: Thank you. The "tokens=*" to "delims=" displays tabs. How about empty lines (consecutive new line characters?)

[Sponge Belly]

Hi Steph!

Read the recent slice.cmd topic. It should answer your questions. And if you’re still having difficulties after that, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

- SB

[foxidrive]

A for /f command strips blank lines.

There are ways to include blank lines, by numbering the lines and then getting rid of the numbers by parsing them out.

If you discuss what you intend to do, with some example data, then someone may give you more robust ways of doing it.