Simulating a key input to an external command

[Tom Del Rosso]

Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

Years ago there was some mention of using START /B but I can't find an
example. The experiment below is just confusing with the sequence of
output and input all mixed up, but both PAUSE commands still need input.

And what's needed is to give input to an external command. Piping echo
doesn't always work.


@echo off
echo TOP OF FILE

if "%~1"=="JUMP" goto :%2

echo FIRST RUN

START "SUBC" /B "%~0" JUMP SUBC

echo 1
pause
echo 2
exit

:SUBC
echo 3
pause
echo 4
exit

[Kenny McCormack]

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

What is a "macro utility"? And why don't you want to use one, whatever it is?

[Tom Del Rosso]

Post by Kenny McCormack

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

What is a "macro utility"? And why don't you want to use one,
whatever it is?

A utility that simulates input from keyboard and mouse, like AutoIt,
AutoHoykey, MiniMouseMacro, et al. It's just cumbersome when all you
need is automated input to a "press any key" prompt.

[JJ]

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?
Years ago there was some mention of using START /B but I can't find an
example. The experiment below is just confusing with the sequence of
output and input all mixed up, but both PAUSE commands still need input.
And what's needed is to give input to an external command. Piping echo
doesn't always work.
@echo off
echo TOP OF FILE
if "%~1"=="JUMP" goto :%2
echo FIRST RUN
START "SUBC" /B "%~0" JUMP SUBC
echo 1
pause
echo 2
exit
:SUBC
echo 3
pause
echo 4
exit

You can borrow Windows Script Host via VBScript to generate keypresses using
`WScript.Shell` object's `SendKeys` function.

https://ss64.com/vb/sendkeys.html

e.g. send ALT+ENTER sychronously:

@echo off
setlocal

Post by Tom Del Rosso
"%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" echo createobject("wscript.shell").sendkeys(wsh.arguments(0))

cscript.exe //nologo "%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" "%{enter}"

e.g. send text asynchronously:

@echo off
setlocal

Post by Tom Del Rosso
"%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" echo createobject("wscript.shell").sendkeys(wsh.arguments(0))

start /b cscript.exe //nologo "%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" "my input{enter}"
set /p "inp=enter input: "
echo input=%inp%

[JJ]

Post by JJ
cscript.exe //nologo "%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" "%{enter}"

Whoops. The percent symbol in "%{enter}" should be escaped. i.e. to
"%%{enter}"

Also, the full description for `SendKeys` can be found below.
(long URL warning)

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/language/reference/user-interface-help/sendkeys-statement

[Kenny McCormack]

Post by JJ

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

...

Post by JJ
You can borrow Windows Script Host via VBScript to generate keypresses using
`WScript.Shell` object's `SendKeys` function.

Isn't that pretty much using a "macro utility"?

[JJ]

Post by Kenny McCormack

Post by JJ

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

....

Post by JJ
You can borrow Windows Script Host via VBScript to generate keypresses using
`WScript.Shell` object's `SendKeys` function.

Isn't that pretty much using a "macro utility"?

Oh. You're right. I overlooked that point.

Well, anything other than redirected standard input, would be a macro
utility.

[Kenny McCormack]

Post by JJ

Post by Kenny McCormack

Post by JJ

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

....

Post by JJ
You can borrow Windows Script Host via VBScript to generate keypresses using
`WScript.Shell` object's `SendKeys` function.

Isn't that pretty much using a "macro utility"?

Oh. You're right. I overlooked that point.
Well, anything other than redirected standard input, would be a macro
utility.

Yup.

I think the answer to OP's question is: No.

[Tom Del Rosso]

Post by Kenny McCormack

Post by JJ

Post by Tom Del Rosso
Is there a way to give an *external* command "any key" input without
using a macro utility?

...

Post by JJ
You can borrow Windows Script Host via VBScript to generate
keypresses using `WScript.Shell` object's `SendKeys` function.

Isn't that pretty much using a "macro utility"?

No, it's native to Windows.

[Tom Del Rosso]

Post by JJ
You can borrow Windows Script Host via VBScript to generate
keypresses using `WScript.Shell` object's `SendKeys` function.
https://ss64.com/vb/sendkeys.html
@echo off
setlocal

Post by Tom Del Rosso
"%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" echo
createobject("wscript.shell").sendkeys(wsh.arguments(0))

cscript.exe //nologo "%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" "%{enter}"
@echo off
setlocal

Post by Tom Del Rosso
"%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" echo
createobject("wscript.shell").sendkeys(wsh.arguments(0))

start /b cscript.exe //nologo "%temp%\sendkeys.vbs" "my input{enter}"
set /p "inp=enter input: "
echo input=%inp%

Thank you!