is it possible to have a batch script to ask the user (within CMD) to select if the current PC is a host or client? The user uses the up or down keyboard arrows to select an option and hits enter to confirm it.
Ive Done a little googling but I can only find code for entering a selection number.
There is no way that a Batch file can read a cursor control key without the aid of a third party program. However, you may use an interesting trick based on DOSKEY command via this procedure:
Although this method requires the aid of JScript programming language, it is included with all Windows versions from XP on. Copy and paste the code below as a Batch .BAT file:
@if (@CodeSection == @Batch) @then
@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
rem Multi-line menu with options selection via DOSKEY
rem Antonio Perez Ayala
rem Define the options
set numOpts=0
for %%a in (First Second Third Fourth Fifth) do (
set /A numOpts+=1
set "option[!numOpts!]=%%a Option"
)
set /A numOpts+=1
set "option[!numOpts!]=exit"
rem Clear previous doskey history
doskey /REINSTALL
rem Fill doskey history with menu options
cscript //nologo /E:JScript "%~F0" EnterOpts
for /L %%i in (1,1,%numOpts%) do set /P "var="
:nextOpt
cls
echo MULTI-LINE MENU WITH OPTIONS SELECTION
echo/
rem Send a F7 key to open the selection menu
cscript //nologo /E:JScript "%~F0"
set /P "var=Select the desired option: "
echo/
if "%var%" equ "exit" goto :EOF
echo Option selected: "%var%"
pause
goto nextOpt
@end
var wshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell"),
envVar = wshShell.Environment("Process"),
numOpts = parseInt(envVar("numOpts"));
if ( WScript.Arguments.Length ) {
// Enter menu options
for ( var i=1; i <= numOpts; i++ ) {
wshShell.SendKeys(envVar("option["+i+"]")+"{ENTER}");
}
} else {
// Enter a F7 to open the menu
wshShell.SendKeys("{F7}{HOME}");
}
Output example of previous program:
Further details at this post.