Batch Script: Validate Date Input

Question

I have a batch file that I use to create new project folders for clients that walks a user through the creation process and adds the appropriate files and folders to a central location. I need to add an input section so they can put a date (not always current date) in and it is included in the naming of the files. The issue I have, and I have hunted high and low and can't find my answer, is that I need to dummy proof the date input. I want the user to input the date in the `MM-DD-YYYY` format including dashes. It needs to then format it into `YYYY-MM-DD`. It needs to be smart enough that it forces the user to use the required format of `MM-DD-YYYY`; has to be numbers and dashes, no slashes, the right amount of characters, and so forth. I haven't been able to find anything close to even remotely get me where I need to be so I am asking the awesome geniuses out there for help in this regard as it is driving me up a wall. Below is my script code. I need this input to go right after the j…

Accepted Answer

The Batch file below check that the inserted date have the right format and that it represent a valid date, that is, that have the right number of days in each month, even for February on leap years!

```
@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

set i=0
for %%a in (31 28 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 30 31) do (
   set /A i+=1
   set dpm[!i!]=%%a
)

set /P "inDate=Please insert date (MM-DD-YYYY format): "
if "%inDate:~2,1%%inDate:~5,1%" neq "--" goto invalidDate
for /F "tokens=1-3 delims=-" %%a in ("%inDate%") do set "MM=%%a" & set "DD=%%b" & set "YYYY=%%c"
ver > NUL
set /A month=1%MM%-100, day=1%DD%-100, year=1%YYYY%-10000, leap=year%%4  2>NUL
if errorlevel 1 goto invalidDate
if not defined dpm[%month%] goto invalidDate
if %leap% equ 0 set dpm[2]=29
if %day% gtr !dpm[%month%]! goto invalidDate
if %day% lss 1 goto invalidDate
echo Date correct: %YYYY%-%MM%-%DD%
goto :EOF

:invalidDate
echo Bad date
```

Batch Script: Validate Date Input

Solution

Problem