What does /p stand for in set /p=? I know that / enables a switch, and I'm fairly sure that I know /a is for arithmetic. I've heard numerous rumours, some saying /p is for prompt, others stating it stands for print. The only reason I slightly doubt it is prompt is because in many cases it does not ask for a prompt, yet prints on the screen, such as
<nul set /p=This will not generate a new line
But what I want to know is: Do we really know what it stands for?
Bonus points for anyone who knows what all the switches for ping stand for, such as -n, -w, -a, -s, and what the switch /L in for is meant to stand for. (L = number?)
Even More Bonus Points for anyone who can name any other seemingly stupid switches in batch file
Please understand that I already know what all these switches and prefixes and whatnot mean, I am not asking for their meaning nor purpose. Thanks in advance.
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windows
batch-file
abbreviation
The /P switch allows you to set the value of a variable to a line of input entered by the user. Displays the specified promptString before reading the line of input. The promptString can be empty.
Two ways I've used it... first:
SET /P variable=
When batch file reaches this point (when left blank) it will halt and wait for user input. Input then becomes variable.
And second:
SET /P variable=<%temp%\filename.txt
Will set variable to contents (the first line) of the txt file. This method won't work unless the /P is included. Both tested on Windows 8.1 Pro, but it's the same on 7 and 10.
Source: Stackoverflow.com