CHOICE

Syntax:
CHOICE [/C[:]choices] [/N] [/S] [/T[:]c,nn] [text]

Purpose: Used to provide a prompt so that a user can make a choice while a batch program is running

Options

text - Used to specify text to be displayed before the prompt. When text has not been specified, CHOICE will display only the prompt. You must use quote marks around the text if you include a switch character (/) as part of the text.

/C[:]choices The prompt - comprising a series of valid choices. The prompt is displayed as the characters, separated by commas, enclosed in brackets, and followed by a question mark. Default is Y N
/N Stops the prompt from being displayed, although text is still shown and the choices keys are still valid.
/S Forces the choice keys to be case sensitive. By default they are not.
/T[:]c,nn Defaults choice to c after nn seconds. c must exist; nn must be in the range 0 to 99.
text Text displayed before the prompt. Typically, text is used to expand on the prompt.
c - Specifies the default key (character). The key must be one of those specified in the /C switch.

nn - Specifies the length of the pause in seconds (0 to 99).

EXIT CODES:

0 CHOICE was terminated by Ctrl-C before a choice was entered.
1 The key corresponding to the first choice was pressed.
n The key corresponding to the nth choice was pressed
255 An error occurred.

Example

If you were writing a batch program and wanted to use the CHOICE command to prompt the user to select from the keys Y, N, and C, you would enter the following:

choice /c:ync

The user would see the following prompt:

[Y,N,C]?

To make it more obvious to the user exactly what they are selecting, you could add some explanatory text to the prompt by entering,

choice /c:ync Yes, No, or Continue

The user would then see,

Yes, No, or Continue [Y,N,C]?

If you wanted to use the /T option to limit the amount of time a user has to make a choice at the prompt you might enter,

choice /c:ync /t:c,10

The user would still see the prompt [Y,N,C]? from which they could make their choice. If a selection was not made within 10 seconds the C option would be assumed and the batch program would continue.