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Arbolero.bat is a tiny batch program. I wrote it to aid my father in printing his billions and billions of folders.

The program creates two text files:

  • arbolito.txt, that contains a tree with all the folders that hang from the folder where it is executed.
  • arbolon.txt, that contains the tree with folders and files.

Of course, it doesn't touch or move in any way the files and folders themselves.

Updated 18/09/2007 - version 3 - there was a small problem in printing tree characters. Version 3 is simpler.

How To

  • Download arbolero.bat
  • Copy it to the folder that you want as the root of the tree.
  • Run it (double click)
  • In a few seconds, you'll get the two text files, arbolito and arbolon, in that same folder. You can open them and print them with Notepad.

The problem

Due to the way MS-DOS generates the files you could see strange characters instead of non-english characters.

The solution

If you are using non-english characters, and you just want to see the tree on the screen, you can (in Notepad) click on the Format menu, Font command, and change the font to "Terminal" . Change it back when you finish.

If you really want to print it perfectly, open the textfile with your favourite word processor and use the "Replace" command to replace the strange symbols for their correct counterparts.

FAQ

How does it work? - The batch program runs two MS-DOS commands: A tree command that sends the results to the arbolito.txt file, and another tree with the f  parameter, sent to arbolon.txt. They also use the a parameter so the tree is printed with simple symbols (low ascii). If you are confortable with MS-DOS surfing, you can get these same results through the console :)

How much? - It's free, zero cost. If you like it, email me  (arbolero@cmontero.com), I'll love it :) You can also donate something to an NGO (I suggest UNHCR). And tell about arbolero to your friends.

Will it break something? - It's impossible that these simple commands will break your computer, but be careful with papercuts when you print. :-)

What do the names mean? - They're spanish. Arbolito means "small tree"; arbolero and arbolon are made-up words that would mean something like "tree-maker" and "huge tree".

I'm from Spain, that's why :-)

Comments, suggestions, whatever: arbolero@cmontero.com

About me (blog in spanish): www.cmontero.com