Moving a batch file into directories added while the batch file is running

Question

Say I have a filesystem like so:

Directory 1
  --dataset
Directory 2
  --dataset
Directory 3
  --dataset
process.bat
copier.bat <-- RUNS

The copier.bat copies process.bat into a directory and runs it:

Directory 1
  --dataset
  --process.bat <-- RUNS
Directory 2
  --dataset
Directory 3
  --dataset
process.bat
copier.bat

Process.bat takes a few minutes, and when it's done, copier.bat copies process.bat into the next directory and runs it:

Directory 1
  --dataset
  --process.bat
Directory 2
  --dataset
  --process.bat <-- RUNS
Directory 3
  --dataset
process.bat
copier.bat

While process.bat is running in the next directory, a new directory with another dataset is added:

Directory 1
  --dataset
  --process.bat
Directory 2
  --dataset
  --process.bat <-- RUNNING
Directory 3
  --dataset
Directory 4
  --dataset
process.bat
copier.bat

I need copier.bat to recognize Directory 4 is added while process.bat is running so it continues to copy into Directory 4 and run process.bat.

This is what copier.bat looks like right now, as it stands it will only copy into the directories present when copier.bat is first ran:

for /D %%i in (*) do (
cd %%i
copy ..\process.bat process.bat
call process.bat
cd ..
)

Code source: https://peterfalkingham.com/2018/04/01/colmap-openmvs-scripts-updated

Answer 1

@echo off
setlocal

:main
call :myCopier
if not errorlevel 1 goto :main

exit /b 0


:myCopier
setlocal
set "batfile=process.bat"
set "exitcode=1"

for /D %%A in (*) do (
    if not exist "%%~A\%batfile%" pushd "%%~A" && (
        set "exitcode=0"
        copy "..\%batfile%" "%batfile%" && call "%batfile%"
        popd
    )
)

exit /b %exitcode%

You are copying copier.bat in your code though copying process.bat in you directory structure listings. I consider the later as logically correct.

This code will call the label :myCopier in the :main loop until %errorlevel% is not 0.

It will do Directory 1 , Directory 2 and Directory 3 on 1st call :myCopier . %errorlevel% returned is 0 so it does another call :myCopier . This time Directory 4 is processed. %errorlevel% returned is 0 so it does another call :myCopier . All directories will have process.bat within, so the %errorlevel% returned is 1. This allows the end of the :main loop.

With your other script. Perhaps you should insert a setlocal to keep it's enviroment local to itself. Also insert double quotes around paths so spaces or special characters do not cause problems.