How to use the timeout command in batch language?

Question

I actually wanted to create a timer using batch program and when I run the code the output is not the way I want. The screen continues flicking without decreasing the second. Can someone Help me. Thanks alot.

@echo off
set countdown=10
:loop
if %countdown% == 0 goto end
cls
echo %countdown% 
timeout /t 1 /NOBREAK
set/a count=%countdown%-1
goto loop
:end
cls
echo Time's up!
pause

Hackoo · Accepted Answer · 2019-12-22 18:32:44Z

2

You should replace this line set/a count=%countdown%-1 by this one set /a countdown=countdown-1 or by a shortened set /a countdown-=1.

@echo off
set "countdown=10"
:loop
if "%countdown%" EQU "0" goto end
cls
echo %countdown% 
set /a countdown-=1
timeout /t 1 /NOBREAK>nul
goto loop
:end
cls
echo Time's up!
pause

edited Dec 22, 2019 at 18:32

answered Dec 22, 2019 at 16:47

Hackoo

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1 Comment

drw15h Over a year ago

Thanks so much, it's working. And why it has this sign " on set/a "countdown=10"

Compo · Accepted Answer · 2019-12-22 20:15:40Z

1

A way to do it without the goto / label

@echo off
Set count=10
Setlocal enableDelayedExpansion
For /L %%a in (1,1,!count!) DO (
    Set /a count=!count! - 1
    (ECHO <esc>[1;1H<esc>[K!count!)
    (
        TIMEOUT 1 >nul
    )
)

ECHO times up!    
pause

<esc>[1;1H<esc>[K Sets the position of the text (line;column) and clears the line from that point. <esc> represents the ANSI escape character.
Using the ANSI cursor positioning allows you to refresh text on screen selectively, without having to clear the whole screen.

edited Dec 22, 2019 at 20:15

Compo

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answered Dec 22, 2019 at 19:00

T3RR0R

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3 Comments

Compo Over a year ago

Just to mention, that you may need the latest version of Windows 10, for console Virtual Terminal sequences.

T3RR0R Over a year ago

Ansi Sequences are Supported by all versions of Windows 10 - amendment - after reviewing, The Cursor Positioning System is indeed NOT ansi.

Compo Over a year ago

To clarify, my point is that the OP did not specify their OS version, simply Windows, therefore I felt it worth mentioning that cmd.exe by default will be unable to do this, unless the OP is using the latest OS.

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