File Extension

BAT File Format

Batch file

BAT is a file extension for a batch file format. BAT files are primarily associated with Microsoft’s Batch Processing.

A batch file takes the form of a text file containing a sequence of commands for an operating system. Batch files are named for the fact that they batch commands into a single file that would otherwise have to be presented to the system interactively from a keyboard one at a time.

The best known batch file is the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, which initializes DOS when you start the system.) In Unix-based operating systems, a batch file is called a shell script.  

Batch processing began in the early days of the mainframe and continues in the mainframe environment to this day.  

MIME type: application/bat, application/x-bat, application/x-msdos-program, application/textedit, application/octet-stream

 

Learn more about BAT files:

Ronald Schmelzer discusses batch processing with SOA.

See, ask or answer questions about batch files on ITKnowledge.com.

Wikipedia explains batch processing.

This was last updated in July 2010
Editorial Director Margaret Rouse

BAT: Learn More About File Extensions

Definitions

  • CONFIG.SYS

    - CONFIG.SYS is a text file containing DOS (Disk Operating System) commands that tell the operating system how the computer is initially set up.

  • batch file

    - A batch file is a text file that contains a sequence of commands for a computer operating system.

  • autoexec.bat

    - AUTOEXEC.BAT is a file containing Disk Operating System commands that are executable when the computer is booted (started).

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