# Write a batch file that will start several text compares automatically

The example code in the following .bat file is hard coded to do three specific pairs of files, but with a little imagination you could add variables and a loop so that this will work for n number of files.

The gist of the process is:

1. Write a script for Beyond Compare that will run a Beyond Compare session.  
2. Write a single batch/shell script that repeatedly calls the script you wrote in (1)
3. Give a command in the terminal to start (2)

### &#x20;Step One <a href="#step-one" id="step-one"></a>

To make your Beyond Compare script, find one in Scooter Software's [list of examples](https://www.scootersoftware.com/v4help/index.html?sample_scripts.html) and then adapt it with Scooter's [syntax guide](https://www.scootersoftware.com/v4help/index.html?scripting_reference.html).  Wherever convenient, instead of fixed paths use %1, %2, et al as variables for arguments that can be entered later at the command-line.

My script here just compares one text file to another (%1 vs %2) and outputs the result to a location (%3).

`file-report layout:side-by-side & options:display-mismatches & output-to:%3 %1 %2`

Save this as *fileToFile.bc*

​

### Step Two <a href="#step-two" id="step-two"></a>

Write one batch file that repeatedly calls your script from Step 1:

> `start BComp.exe /solo @fileToFile.bc tigers1.csv tigers2.csv report1.txt`&#x20;
>
> `start BComp.exe /solo @fileToFile.bc out1.html out1.html report2.txt`&#x20;
>
> `start BComp.exe /solo @fileToFile.bc chennai.bc actemium.bc report3.txt`&#x20;

Save this as *threeTextCompares.bat*

### &#x20;Step Three <a href="#step-three" id="step-three"></a>

In Windows, type and enter this at the command line:

> threeTextCompares.bat

You should see three sessions of BC start up. Your results will be in the report1.txt, report2.txt, and report3.txt


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