BATPackage Batch File Packager

BATPackage converts Windows Batch files to actual executables. This is useful for distributing Batch scripts in a more professional manner.

Obviously, this program is Windows only!

For most users, there is a GUI which makes turning BATs into EXEs as easy as pressing a button. Experienced command-prompt scripters will appreciate the inclusion of command line utilities for automated conversion.

Building

There are two parts to BATPackage: the command line utilities, compiled with Open Watcom, and the GUI program, compiled with Visual Studio 2010.

The command line part must be built for the GUI to work.

Building the Command Line Utilities

1. Install Open Watcom from http://sourceforge.net/projects/openwatcom/
2. Download the BATPackage code
3. Run build.bat

Building the GUI

The GUI should be built with Visual Studio 2010. Other versions of VS may work but are not supported.

1. Follow the instructions above to build the command-line utilities
2. Open GUI\BATPackage.sln in the BATPackage code
3. Press F5 or Build > Build BATPackage

How it Works

Adding additional data to an EXE file is very easy. You simply pad it to a certain size and then append whatever data you want to the file. Then, that EXE can open itself with fopen(argv[0], "r") and read the data from the position determined earlier.

The BATPackage loader.exe copies all data past byte 40,000 in itself into a temporary file SCRIPT.BAT, then runs that file in the Command Prompt. Once the script exits, the loader deletes the temporary file.

License

BATPackage is distributed under the GNU GPL as specified in LICENSE.md.