xp_cmdshell

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xp_cmdshell

gzh1111

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Points: 298
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April 2, 2003 at 12:58 pm

#159290

Saw the artical on Using xp_cmdshell. I am trying to use it to call an external exe, but the path contains space, anyone has any idea's how to get around this. Thanks very much for your help!

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mybid2003 SSCertifiable Points: 6620 More actions · Answer 1

try like this...

exec xp_cmdshell'dir D:\"Program Files"\ > d:\d_200304021.txt'

.

Chris Hedgate One Orange Chip Points: 25041 More actions · Answer 2

I think it should be like this:

exec xp_cmdshell'dir "D:\Program Files\" > d:\d_200304021.txt'

Of course, to be sure you could just open a prompt and run tyhe dir-command (or whatever command you are trying) there and make sure it works.

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Chris Hedgate @ Apptus Technologies (http://www.apptus.se)

http://www.sql.nu

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Chris Hedgate http://www.hedgate.net/
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gzh1111 SSC Veteran Points: 298 More actions · Answer 3

That works for space in path, but I just realize new problem. I need to use a variable in the xp_cmdshell, something like the following:

declare @filename varchar(50)

DECLARE @cmd varchar(100)

set @filename = 'nomenclature_file.xml'

SET @cmd = 'c:\test_tmp\"folder tooo test"\mdm_CleanExternalXML.exe ' + @filename

EXEC master..xp_cmdshell @cmd

I know I can't put double quote inside string assignment, but I can assemble the line in xp_cmdshell line, cause it does not recognize the + sign. Any idea how to do this? Thanks very much

SJTerrill SSCrazy Points: 2938 More actions · Answer 4

quote:
declare @filename varchar(50)
DECLARE @cmd varchar(100)
set @filename = 'nomenclature_file.xml'
SET @cmd = 'c:\test_tmp\"folder tooo test"\mdm_CleanExternalXML.exe ' + @filename
EXEC master..xp_cmdshell @cmd

Actually xp_cmdshell will accept one set of double quotes within the command string, so you can account for spaces in the the filename. Try using this on your second SET statement:

SET @cmd = '"c:\test_tmp\folder tooo test\mdm_CleanExternalXML.exe" ' + @filename

That's a single quote followed by a double quote at the beginning of the string.

-SJT

Edited by - TheWildHun on 04/03/2003 12:56:58 PM

Edited by - TheWildHun on 04/03/2003 12:58:36 PM

gzh1111 SSC Veteran Points: 298 More actions · Answer 5

what if I have more than one directory have spaces? Any idea? Not trying to be difficult, that is the real problem. Thanks!

jmadren SSCrazy Points: 2055 More actions · Answer 6

I know BOL says that only one set of double quotes are allowed, but I just tested it with two sets and it worked fine. Here's what I tested:





declare @cmd varchar(500)

set @cmd = 'dir "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\*.doc"'

set @cmd = @cmd + ' > "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\docdir.txt"'

exec master..xp_cmdshell @cmd

Jay Madren