How to read input from console in a batch file?

Question

How do I read input from the console in a batch file? What I am trying to achieve is the functionality of scanf in C. How can I do the same in a batch file?

Answer 1

In addition to the existing answer it is possible to set a default option as follows:

echo off
ECHO A current build of Test Harness exists.
set delBuild=n
set /p delBuild=Delete preexisting build [y/n] (default - %delBuild%)?:

This allows users to simply hit "Enter" if they want to enter the default.

Answer 2

If you're just quickly looking to keep a cmd instance open instead of exiting immediately, simply doing the following is enough

set /p asd="Hit enter to continue"

at the end of your script and it'll keep the window open.

Note that this'll set asd as an environment variable, and can be replaced with anything else.

Answer 3

The code snippet in the linked proposed duplicate reads user input.

ECHO A current build of Test Harness exists.
set /p delBuild=Delete preexisting build [y/n]?: 

The user can type as many letters as they want, and it will go into the delBuild variable.