Microsoft Just Released MS-DOS Source Code!

pastermil@sh.itjust.works to Open Source@lemmy.ml – 819 points –
GitHub - microsoft/MS-DOS: The original sources of MS-DOS 1.25, 2.0, and 4.0 for reference purposes
github.com
159

You are viewing a single comment

Like half of my job is writing .bat files to automate stuff locally and not tell my boss that all I do anymore is double click the right things in the right order...

You can put in a timeout command at the end, and then call the next .bat file.

For example "TIMEOUT /T 60" waits for 60 seconds before resuming, or you can override it by pressing any key.

So if you know how long the wait time between scripts is, just write a master.bat and call them in order, with adequate waiting time in between.

Or just use the @CALL command to call them in order without having to guesstimate how long they run.

Okay so the dumb part is a lot of this is me abstracting away our complex build system. I've basically bubble-gummed a dedicated build system in top of it for only the tasks I do. At a certain point if I start adding configurations or timing I might as well just wrap it in gradle or something. But the system that I'm calling is already their attempt at simplifying another build system that's underneath it that was written by the old guard using arcane sorcery. The whole thing is a mess

Next step, bind them to unused keys on your keyboard and press them in the right order

i propose to create a menu in which you can define what batchfiles to run in what order. its been a while since i worked with batch files, but if memory serves right, that should be doable, no?

Yes. You could make menus and capture keystrokes in batch files

My autoexec.bat back in windows 3 asked if you wanted windows or a command line (most games didn't like the memory overhead of being loaded from windows)

I'd recommend scheduled tasks instead. Why be involved at all? :-)

Do you ever list your job title as Batman?

only if they keep the it room as dark as possible and whenever someone walks in for help they jump up onto the desk with a flashlight and yell "I'M BATMAN' while wearing a cape and underpants.

Well I work from home so I do keep my room dark, I like to have a blanket over my shoulders, it's not uncommon for me to just be in my underwear... Honestly I'm most of the way there

I had a job like that and powershell was a godsend. I let it slip when I accidentally set the multiplier for the delay randomiser too low and it did a months work in a morning. I ended up writing a guide for the others there when I left but sadly everyone but me had computers that supported newer versions of Windows where the scripts ended up broken. They asked me to come back and update it the Monday after I left. I asked if they would pay me to do it. They said no. Then I said no.

This is part of why I still have manual kickoffs for mine. Never need to worry about work getting done while I'm away or getting done suspiciously fast. Also they should have paid you lol, the dingdongs. Would cost a lot more just in work lost having someone else spend time deciphering and fixing it. They could always get someone else up to speed with the system after it is fixed by you so there's little or no down time