Batch file

A batch file is a special kind of computer file that tells a computer a list of instructions to do in order. Batch files were used a lot when DOS was used by many people. They are good for automating many small pieces of work. Some people still use batch files today.

Hello World example

This is an example of a batch file. It is called a "Hello World" example because it prints the text "Hello World!" to the screen.

<syntaxhighlight lang="dos"> @ECHO off ECHO Hello World! PAUSE </syntaxhighlight>

When that text is put into a file with an extension of .bat, saved, and run, it will put this on the screen:

Hello World!
Press any key to continue . . .