CODEWITHSUNDEEP
batch-file
Johann Gerell
Johann Gerell

Reputation: 25581

In a Windows batch file, does double '@' in @@echo off mean something else than @echo off?

I'm seeing double @ being used in some of our batch files, as in @@echo off, and as far as I can see the initial first @ is redundant and I want to remove it to only have @echo off.

Can I safely do that or does it have some hidden meaning I don't know about?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 641

Answers (2)

user7818749
user7818749

Reputation:

@ has the effect to suppress the repetition of the executed commands, including the command echo off/on and cmd does not care how many times it is used:

The effect of:

@echo off
ping localhost
ping google
echo test string

is exactly the same as:

@@@@@@@@echo off
ping localhost
ping google
echo test string

and

@ping localhost
@ping google
@echo test string

or even:

@(ping localhost
ping google
echo test string
)

so technically @@somecommand simply suppresses repetition, then suppresses repetition even though it has no effect any longer as it was already suppressed.

So a single @ is fine.

Upvotes: 2

jeb
jeb

Reputation: 82247

One or more @ disables the echoing of the current command.
If the echo mode is already OFF, then the @ has no special effect anymore.

So to answer your question, yes you can remove the redundant @, one is enough.

Upvotes: 4

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