Help - Batch, loop, unique filename?

[babab]

Hi all,

I need to open a program, run a file then save another file (that the program creates) with a unique name. I need to do this for 3,000 files. Is this possible? I just downloaded the trial version and didn't see anything that would work for us.

Any help appreciated, thanks.

[forumsupport]

Hello,

Yes, it is certainly possible with automation anywhere. You can use system variables to create unique file names. Also, you can use 'Loop for each file in a folder' command to automate the same process for all 3000 files.

May we please know the name of program you run files from? If you could provide your phone number and best time to reach we can help you out quickly.

You can submit a support case from Automation Anywhere - Open A Support Case Alternatively, you can reach us at 1-888-484-3535 x 3.

[philkryder]

I use the date time variables.

I make names of the form

file_yyyy_mm_dd_hh_min_sec

that is sufficient for most things.
it would probably be nice if hundreds were available.

unfortunately,
you will need to do some manipulation to get 2 digit month day hour min sec
since for values from 1-9 AA only gives 1 digit rather than 01-09.

A single "timestamp" variable would be nice - and has been suggested.

I have and ATMN and associate EXE that will build a timestamp.

I put it in an external routine because the code in AA is a bit convoluted, since there are no RIGHT and LEFT functions.

You move "not done yet" to the clipboard.
open the exe
then loop while $clipboard$ = "not done yet"

when you fall out of the loop it will contain
yyyy_mm_dd_hh_min_sec
with 2 digit values.

the beauty of this is that the unique filenames sort into collating sequence.

best wishes.
Phil

[philkryder]

a "simpler" way is to have a loop counter and concatenate it to the end of the file name.

however,
that technique would not be unique for successive runs of the process unless you queried the file directory to find the highest filename.

I would use that if I ever felt that granularity to the second was not sufficient when using a timestamp - I would add the count of files written to the end of the timestamp.

best wishes
phil