Is it possible to source a batch file in windows cmd like you can in unix?

Question

I'm a unix guy but I have to write a system in windows, and I'm trying to write a script to move some files around. I'm trying to have the parent batch file CALL a child batch file which contains:

set REPORTFILE=c:\report.txt

and then I want the parent to be able to use the %REPORTFILE% variable. Apparently the CALL command creates a new context. In unix, you just source the script, is that possible in windows?

Answer 1

if I understand...this seems to work for me in Vista:

caller.bat

echo this is the caller
echo initial value is: %reportfile%
call setter.bat
echo value is: %reportfile%

setter.bat

echo this is the value setter
set reportfile=c:\report.txt

C:\\temp>caller

C:\\temp>echo this is the caller
this is the caller
C:\\temp>echo initial value is:
initial value is:
C:\\temp>call setter.bat

C:\\temp>echo this is the value setter
this is the value setter
C:\\temp>set reportfile=c:\\report.txt

C:\\temp>echo value is: c:\\report.txt
value is: c:\\report.txt

updated to use goto instead of parens:

if not exist file.txt goto doit
goto notfound
:doit 
echo this is the caller 
echo initial value is: %reportfile% 
call setter.bat
echo value is: %reportfile%
goto end
:notfound
 echo file found 
:end