T his article outlines some tips for writing batch files to perform automated backups, and for personalizing them to suit your needs. The use of batch files requires only DOS, and affords a high level of control to the user. |
Multiple tasks can be automated and performed on demand by the use of DOS batch files which you write yourself. For example, making a duplicate copy to the same hard disk as the original is one form of backup. Since hard disks are prone to crashing and losing data, it is useful to have a section in the backup batch file which copies to an additional drive, such as a Zip Drive, floppy drive, or other drive.
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For later versions of DOS, the "xcopy" command provides several useful options for doing either complete of incremental (changed data only) backups. Files or directories can be backed up, and the batch "choice" command allows further control at run time, by presenting the user with a list of up to three options. With multiple usages of a command possible in each batch file, a great deal of customization is possible.
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