Newbie needs help with variables

[dontask]

I need help with the correct format for writing to a directory using a variable. Here is what I have

$str = InputBox("Backup Name","Enter your Windows user name:", @UserName )
DirCreate("c:\" & $str )

so if the users name is bob $str = bob how do I copy a file to the folder called c:\bob\foldername

FileCopy (" c:\ ???? \foldername

Thanks for any help!

[water]

Use

FileCopy("Sourcefile","C:\" & $str & "\foldername\")

The "&" operator concatenates strings.

Make sure to check that the user enters a valid name. Thats means "" would be invalid.

Edited January 22, 2010 by water

[dontask]

Use

FileCopy("Sourcefile","C:\" & $str & "\foldername")

The "&" operator concatenates strings.

Cool. let me try that . Thanks for the prompt response

Edited January 22, 2010 by dontask

[dontask]

OK what about a Dircopy? When I try

DirCopy("c:\temp\" "C:\" & $str & "\temp")

I get an syntax error

[water]

When you check the helpfile (which is always a good idea) you will see that DirCopy needs two parameters. Parameters are (as can bee seen in the syntax diagram) separated by commas. So your statement should read:

DirCopy("c:\temp\","C:\" & $str & "\temp")

[dontask]

When you check the helpfile (which is always a good idea) you will see that DirCopy needs two parameters. Parameters are (as can bee seen in the syntax diagram) separated by commas. So your statement should read:

DirCopy("c:\temp\","C:\" & $str & "\temp")

Crap I looked there but over look that comma, guess I need better glasses . Thanks again!!

[dontask]

One more ... prob not the last What if the drive letter was a variable ?

DirCopy("c:\temp\", & $drv & , & $str & "\temp")

or

DirCopy("c:\temp\", & $drv & & $str & "\temp")

That didn't work

Edited January 22, 2010 by dontask

[water]

One more ... prob not the last What if the drive letter was a variable ?

DirCopy("c:\temp\", & $drv & , & $str & "\temp")

or

DirCopy("c:\temp\", & $drv & & $str & "\temp")

That didn't work

Ok, that's one of those little steps thats gets you closer being an AutoIt expert

"&" concatenates two strings. The string left of "&" is concatenated to the string right of "&". So what would happen if there is no string on the left side?

A comma outside of a string separates parameters. DirCopy accepts two or three parameters. So you need no comma as in example one.

Please try again and then post your results of you get any error.

If $drv is in the format "x:" then this should work:

DirCopy("c:\temp\", $drv & "\" & $str & "\temp")

Edited January 22, 2010 by water

[dontask]

Ok, that's one of those little steps thats gets you closer being an AutoIt expert

"&" concatenates two strings. The string left of "&" is concatenated to the string right of "&". So what would happen if there is no string on the left side?

A comma outside of a string separates parameters. DirCopy accepts two or three parameters. So you need no comma as in example one.

Please try again and then post your results of you get any error.

If $drv is in the format "x:" then this should work:

DirCopy("c:\temp\", $drv & "\" & $str & "\temp")

Again thanks!!

DirCopy("c:\temp\", $drv & $str & "\temp")

worked like a champ. Still a little confused as to why the "&" on the very left was not needed when two variables are used.

[water]

Again thanks!!

DirCopy("c:\temp\", $drv & $str & "\temp")

worked like a champ. Still a little confused as to why the "&" on the very left was not needed when two variables are used.

You mix up parameters and variables.

In the above example 'c:\temp\' is prameter one, '$drv & $str & "\temp"' is parameter two. Parameters are separated by commas.

To concatenate variables and/or strings you need "&".

[dontask]

Ok I think I am starting to understand it