What does /p mean in set /p?

问题:

What does /p stand for in set /p=? I know that / enables a switch, and I'm fairly sure that I know /a is for arithmetic. I've heard numerous rumours, some saying /p is for prompt, others stating it stands for print. The only reason I slightly doubt it is prompt is because in many cases it does not ask for a prompt, yet prints on the screen, such as

<nul set /p=This will not generate a new line

But what I want to know is: Do we really know what it stands for?

Bonus points for anyone who knows what all the switches for ping stand for, such as -n, -w, -a, -s, and what the switch /L in for is meant to stand for. (L = number?)

Even More Bonus Points for anyone who can name any other seemingly stupid switches in batch file

Please understand that I already know what all these switches and prefixes and whatnot mean, I am not asking for their meaning nor purpose. Thanks in advance.

回答1:

For future reference, you can get help for any command by using the /? switch, which should explain what switches do what.

According to the set /? screen, the format for set /p is SET /P variable=[promptString] which would indicate that the p in /p is "prompt." It just prints in your example because <nul passes in a nul character which immediately ends the prompt so it just acts like it's printing. It's still technically prompting for input, it's just immediately receiving it.

/L in for /L generates a List of numbers.

From ping /?:

Usage: ping [-t] [-a] [-n count] [-l size] [-f] [-i TTL] [-v TOS]
            [-r count] [-s count] [[-j host-list] | [-k host-list]]
            [-w timeout] [-R] [-S srcaddr] [-4] [-6] target_name

Options:
    -t             Ping the specified host until stopped.
                   To see statistics and continue - type Control-Break;
                   To stop - type Control-C.
    -a             Resolve addresses to hostnames.
    -n count       Number of echo requests to send.
    -l size        Send buffer size.
    -f             Set Don't Fragment flag in packet (IPv4-only).
    -i TTL         Time To Live.
    -v TOS         Type Of Service (IPv4-only. This setting has been deprecated
                   and has no effect on the type of service field in the IP Header).
    -r count       Record route for count hops (IPv4-only).
    -s count       Timestamp for count hops (IPv4-only).
    -j host-list   Loose source route along host-list (IPv4-only).
    -k host-list   Strict source route along host-list (IPv4-only).
    -w timeout     Timeout in milliseconds to wait for each reply.
    -R             Use routing header to test reverse route also (IPv6-only).
    -S srcaddr     Source address to use.
    -4             Force using IPv4.
    -6             Force using IPv6.

回答2:

The /P switch allows you to set the value of a variable to a line of input entered by the user. Displays the specified promptString before reading the line of input. The promptString can be empty.

Two ways I've used it... first:

SET /P variable=

When batch file reaches this point (when left blank) it will halt and wait for user input. Input then becomes variable.

And second:

SET /P variable=<%temp%\filename.txt

Will set variable to contents (the first line) of the txt file. This method won't work unless the /P is included. Both tested on Windows 8.1 Pro, but it's the same on 7 and 10.