Windows CMD – Every command should have a timestamp in CMD

Introduction

Windows CMD is a powerful tool for developers and system administrators. It provides a command-line interface for executing various tasks on a Windows operating system. However, one issue that developers often face while working with CMD is the lack of a timestamp for executed commands. This can make it difficult to determine when a particular command was run, especially when dealing with complex scripts. In this blog post, we will discuss why every command should have a timestamp in CMD and how to achieve it.

Why Every Command Should Have a Timestamp in CMD

As mentioned earlier, the lack of a timestamp in CMD can make it difficult to determine when a particular command was run. This can be a major problem when dealing with complex scripts that require multiple commands to be executed in a specific order. If a developer forgets to run a particular command, it can lead to errors and issues in the code.

By adding a timestamp to every command executed in CMD, developers can easily determine when a particular command was run. This can help them to identify any issues that may arise due to the order in which commands were executed. It can also help to identify issues that may arise due to a failure to run a particular command.

How to Add a Timestamp to CMD

Adding a timestamp to CMD is relatively easy. You can achieve it by using a simple batch file that appends the timestamp to every command executed in CMD. Here is how you can do it:

1. Open Notepad or any other text editor.
2. Type the following code:

@echo off
for /f "tokens=1-3 delims=:." %%a in ("%time%") do (
set "hour=%%a"
set "minute=%%b"
set "second=%%c"
)
set "timeStamp=%date% %hour%:%minute%:%second%"
echo %timeStamp% %cd% %*
%*

3. Save the file with a .bat extension. For example, timestamp.bat.
4. Now, whenever you want to execute a command in CMD, simply open the batch file and type in the command you want to execute.

This will append the timestamp to every command executed in CMD. The timestamp will be in the format: YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS.

Alternative Options to CMD

While adding a timestamp to CMD is a good solution, there are alternative options available that can provide a better user experience. One such option is cmder. Cmder is a software package that provides an enhanced command-line experience for Windows users. It comes with a number of features that make it easier to work with CMD, including:

1. Tabbed interface: Cmder provides a tabbed interface that allows you to open multiple CMD windows in a single window. This makes it easier to switch between different commands and tasks.

2. Customizable themes: Cmder comes with a number of customizable themes that allow you to change the look and feel of the interface. This can make it easier to work with CMD for extended periods of time.

3. Support for Unix commands: Cmder provides support for Unix commands, which can be useful for developers who are used to working in a Unix environment.

4. Easy setup: Cmder is easy to set up and use. Simply download and install the software, and you are ready to go.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding a timestamp to every command executed in CMD is a good practice that can help developers to identify issues and errors in their code. While a batch file can achieve this, alternative options such as cmder can provide a better user experience. As a developer, it is important to choose the tool that best suits your needs and preferences.

You can use the doskey command to create a macro in the Windows Command Prompt (CMD) that will automatically insert the current date and time before each command you run.

Here’s an example of how you could create such a macro:

1. Open the Command Prompt and type the following command:

doskey timestamp=echo %date% %time%

This creates a macro called “timestamp” that will insert the current date and time before each command you run.

2. To use the macro, simply type “timestamp” followed by your command. For example:

timestamp dir

This will display the current date and time, followed by the output of the dir command.

You can also modify the macro to include the full path of the command you are running. To do this, simply include the %CD% variable in the macro definition, like this:

doskey timestamp=echo %date% %time% %CD%

This will insert the current date, time, and the current directory path before each command you run.

Note that the macro will only work in the current Command Prompt window. If you close the window or open a new one, you will need to recreate the macro.

Alternatively, you can use a third-party command-line interface such as Cmder, which has more advanced features and allows you to customize the appearance and behavior of the command prompt. Cmder is a popular choice among developers because it provides a more powerful and user-friendly command-line experience.

In summary, you can use the doskey command to create a macro in the Windows Command Prompt that will automatically insert the current date and time before each command you run. This can be helpful if you want to keep track of when you run certain commands or if you want to troubleshoot issues by seeing when a particular command was last run. You can also customize the macro to include the full path of the command, which can be useful for tracking the location of the command.

If you want a more advanced and customizable command-line interface, you may want to consider using a third-party tool such as Cmder. This can provide a more powerful and user-friendly experience, allowing you to customize the appearance and behavior of the command prompt to suit your needs.

Although the %PROMPT% variable allows for substitutions for the current date and time, it displays the time that the previous command finished and the prompt was displayed, rather than the time the current command was executed. By default, the value is set to $P$G, which displays the path and greater-than sign. However, you can utilize $T to display time, $D to display date, and several other expansions.

set PROMPT=($T) $P$G

See also:

• https://ss64.com/nt/prompt.html
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/prompt