shift MS-DOS Command

Type: Internal (2.0 and later)

Syntax:

SHIFT

Purpose: Increases number of replaceable parameters to more than the standard ten for use in batch files.

Discussion

Usually, you can only enter up to ten parameters at the time you start a batch file (%0 through %9). Use this command to shift the assignable parameters to make room for the use of additional entries. For more information on using the SHIFT command and other batch commands, refer to Chapter 5, Using Batch Files.

Example

If you started a batch file named GO.BAT by entering the following on the command line: go X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X8 X9 X10 the parameters available for use in the batch file GO will be set as follows: %1 = X1 %2 = X2 %3 = X3 %4 = X4 %5 = X5 %6 = X6 %7 = X7 %8 = X8 %9 = X9 To use the additional parameter you entered on the command line (X10), enter shift The parameters will be reset as %1 = X2 %2 = X3 %3 = X4 %4 = X5 %5 = X6 %6 = X7 %7 = X8 %8 = X9 %9 = X10 The set parameters are shifted one higher, giving you access to more than ten parameters. Each time you enter the SHIFT command, the parameters used by the batch file are shifted up one position.