windows - How can I run a batch file only one time per comptuer?

windows script batch

06
2014-04

David

I have a batch file that I want to push out to make some changes, but the changes take a while and only need to be done one time, how can I manage this?

Answers

David

You can create a flag file. When the program first starts up, it checks if the flag is already there, and exits if it does. When the program is done, it creates the flag file.

SET FLAG=C:\Flag.txt
IF EXIST %FLAG% GOTO END

DO WORK > %FLAG%

:END

Related Answers

surfasb

This is rather difficult from a batch file standpoint, mainly because there is no guaranteed method for a batchfile to detect instances across processes.

IMO, I think you are using the wrong tool. While, yes, it is a challenge, the more important concern is "Does it work?"

I run batch file in a scheduled time.

This tells me you should be using a scheduling program, like Task Scheduler. Task Scheduler will guarantee there is only one instance of your file, even if it is running on another user.

For example, if you run the task every 30 minutes, you configure the task to run for a duration of 30 minutes. Then you set the "if task is already running" setting to "do not create a new instance." Or you have to option of "kill the old one", "Run another instance", or "Start a new task as soon as the old one is done".

For Vista and up: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc748993.aspx#BKMK_cmd
For Xp and up: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490996.aspx

The challenging method is to create states.

Your batch file enters execution
Your batch file loops
Your batch file ends

You can create an arbitrary file in %allusersprofile%, like >>Startmybatchfile.txt echo 1 for each state, then check if it exists. It will also help with trouble shooting. But don't delete the file at the end. Just change it to End State. That way it's deterministic if your batch file has truly finished and no longer running.

I would not use a global variable as it requires admin privileges to run.

You could also use the %temp% variable as but that changes from user to user. I guess that isn't a concern if you are a single login user machine.

Nime Cloud

I just finished the batch file which one ensures both monitoring itself -the batch file- and the job file -facerecog.exe- are running smoothly. I've used hello.exe as a test probe tool, you may replace your own; ie. ping.exe, etc. When it starts without any parameter it fires another instance and quit, so you can run it as a scheduled task in specific intervals. I hope it helps someone who don't want to use advanced tools.

    @goto code

    :comments
    @REM RunMagick for FaceRecog
    @REM Runs FaceRecog forever
    @REM Author Emin Akbulut [email protected]
    @REM 29/11/2011
    @REM This code is freeware


    :code
    @C:
    @CD C:\NET\FaceRecog

    :settings
    set jobexe=FaceRecog.exe
    set remotehost=192.168.35.211
    set remoteport=1333
    @REM Timeout for response of the batch, in seconds
    set /a timeout=120
    set batchtitle=Monitoring FaceRecog...


    :requirements
    @if NOT exist "stopwatch.exe" (
    @echo. stopwatch.exe is missing!
    @ping localhost > nul
    start http://www.jfitz.com/dos/stopwatch10.zip
    goto end
    ) 




    :menu
    @if "%1" == "/monitor" goto monitor
    @if "%1" == "/stop" goto request-stop
    @if "%1" == "/force-stop" goto stop


    :batch-instance-check 
    tasklist /v /fi "IMAGENAME eq cmd.exe" | find /I /c "%batchtitle%"
    @if "%ERRORLEVEL%" == "0" goto batch-instance-found
    goto start

    :batch-instance-found
    @REM Check the previous instance is healthy/responsive or not
    stopwatch stop < pulse.log > elapsed.log
    set /a elapsed=999
    for /F %%a in ('type elapsed.log') do set /a elapsed=%%a
    if %elapsed% gtr %timeout% (
    taskkill /F /FI "WINDOWTITLE eq %batchtitle%*"
    goto start
    ) else (
    @echo Already running...
    @ping localhost > nul
    goto end
    )

    del elapsed.log



    @goto monitor



    :run-job
    @REM Test FaceRecog process
    tasklist | Find "FaceRecog.exe"
    @If Not ErrorLevel 1 Goto monitor

    taskkill /f /im:conime.exe
    @PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 1000 >NUL
    start FaceRecog.exe
    @REM Take a breathe
    @PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 1000 >NUL
    @goto run-job

    :start
    @REM Fire another instance with /monitor command and exit
    start "%batchtitle%" /low /I %0 /monitor
    goto end

    :stop
    @REM Stop the job
    taskkill /F /IM:%jobexe%
    @REM Stop the batch
    taskkill /F /FI "WINDOWSTITLE eq %batchtitle%*"
    del stop.log > nul
    title Done
    goto end

    :request-stop
    @REM Ask programs to quit
    @REM %jobexe% /quit
    @REM Take a breathe
    @ping localhost > nul
    stopwatch start > stop.log
    goto end

    :monitor
    stopwatch start > pulse.log
    @REM Test /stop requested
    @if exist stop.log goto stop
    @REM Test FaceRecog process
    tasklist | Find "%jobexe%"
    @If Not ErrorLevel 0 Goto run-job

    :shorttest
    @Echo Shorttest...
    hello.exe %remotehost% %remoteport% | Find "Version" 
    @If Not ErrorLevel 1 Goto job-ok

    :crashcheck
    @REM No response, crashed?
    tasklist | Find "WerFault.exe"
    @If ErrorLevel 1 Goto longcheck
    taskkill /F /IM:WerFault.exe
    @goto shorttest

    :longcheck
    @Echo Longtest...
    @REM Last check, maybe FaceRecog was busy
    hello.exe %remotehost% %remoteport% | Find "Version" 
    @If Not ErrorLevel 1 Goto job-ok

    :nonresponsive
    @REM Kill non-responsive FaceRecog process and wait for a while to auto-revive
    taskkill /F /IM:%jobexe%



    :job-ok
    @echo OK
    @REM 10 seconds to wait then loop again
    @PING 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 10000 >NUL
    @goto monitor


    :end

Thanks stijn for his great comment. Thanks surfasb for his warning about Scheduled Task that already running.

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windows - How can I run a batch file only one time per comptuer?