date.exe problem

[Gerrit P. Haase]

Natxo Asenjo wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I would like to use the cygwin tools in batch files, to extend the
> poor shell windows has. My shell is cmd.exe for xp pro. Ok.
> 
> One thing that is not working as should is 'date'. As I understand
> from the faq, one can use full paths to executables in cmd.exe, that
> works fine interactively. Now the problem is this. I declare a %hour%
> variable in a batch file
> 
> set hour=c:\cygwin\bin\date.exe
> 
> if I then do:
> 
> %date% +%H-%M
> 
> that works as expected (interactively). But, if I use that in the
> batch file, then it gives me "H" instead of the hour. It ommits the
> '%' , does not interpret it and does not work. I am not sure if this
> is a dos problem (my understanding of this is not very good, I am
> afraid).
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 

In cmd (scripts) the % is reserved: 
http://labmice.techtarget.com/articles/batchcmds.htm#variable:
Try this instead:
c:\cygwin\bin\date +%%H-%%M


Gerrit
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