BAT

Technology & Computing abbreviation · File Format

BAT
Stands forBatch file
CategoriesTechnology & Computing

BAT stands for Batch file, a file format abbreviation.

Plain-text script for Windows Command Prompt that runs a series of commands automatically, used for simple automation, startup tasks and installers. Files end in .bat or .cmd.

Example: Double-click backup.bat to copy the project folder to the network drive.

Usage notes

Batch files date back to MS-DOS, where AUTOEXEC.BAT ran at every startup to set paths and load drivers. The language has variables, loops and labels but is limited and quirky, so PowerShell scripts (.ps1) are preferred for modern administration. Because batch files run commands with the user's rights, unexpected .bat attachments should never be opened.

More file format abbreviations

  • AV1 – AOMedia Video 1
  • AVC – Advanced Video Coding
  • AVI – Audio Video Interleave
  • AVIF – AV1 Image File Format
  • AZW3 – Kindle Format 8
  • BAK – Backup file
  • BMP – Bitmap image file
  • CBR – Comic Book RAR
  • CBZ – Comic Book ZIP
  • CDA – CD Audio track file
  • codec – Coder-decoder
  • CR2 – Canon Raw version 2

See all 125 file format abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.