DONT WORK: string input / if construct: output part of string with variable

[Chronofos]

Hello, I'm asking for help because I can't get any further on my own.

I'm trying to take part of an input string (string: ~0.1%) and create a query using if-else-construct.
And it works correctly with (Input "1" as first character)

Code: Select all

@echo off
cls
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

SET /p "string=Insert characters:  "

ECHO Ouput part of string - first character=   !string:~0,1!

if %string:~0,1% EQU 1 (
   ECHO Output if first character = 1:   Condition True
   ) else (
   ECHO Output if not first character = 1:    Condition False
)

But if I replace one of the parameters of the string output (string:~0.1%) with a variable (string:~variable,1) the program doesn't work correctly (Input "1" as first character)!
I never reach "Condition True".

Code: Select all

@echo off
cls
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

SET /p "string=Insert characters:  "

SET /a counter=0
ECHO counter =   %counter%

ECHO Ouput part of string - first character=   !string:~0,1!

if %string:~%counter%,1% EQU 1 (
   ECHO Output if first character = 1:   Condition True
   ) else (
      ECHO Output if not first character = 1:    Condition False
)

What am I doing wrong? Or is it not possible?

[Squashman]

Well you have delayed expansion enabled. It would help if you used it.

Code: Select all

if !string:~%counter%,1! EQU 1