Script error - Missing opening '(' after keyword 'for'

Question

Hi,

I have a script that i can`t get to work, it is as follows with the error:

Script:

:: Get IP of Domain name
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
set myServer=eu-api.mimecast.com
for /f "tokens=1,2 delims=[]" %%a IN ('ping -n 1 !myServer!') DO (if "%%b" NEQ "" set myServerIP=%%b)
echo ip is %myServerIP%
route add %myServerIP% mask 255.255.255.255 <NEXT HOP>
EXIT

Error:

PS H:\> :: Get IP of Domain name
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
set myServer=eu-api.mimecast.com
for /f "tokens=1,2 delims=[]" %%a IN ('ping -n 1 !myServer!') DO (if "%%b" NEQ "" set myServerIP=%%b)
echo ip is %myServerIP%
route add %myServerIP% mask 255.255.255.255 <NEXT HOP>
EXIT
At line:4 char:4

• for /f "tokens=1,2 delims=[]" %%a IN ('ping -n 1 !myServer!') DO (if ...
• ~
  Missing opening '(' after keyword 'for'.
• CategoryInfo : ParserError: (:) [], ParentContainsErrorRecordException
• FullyQualifiedErrorId : MissingOpenParenthesisAfterKeyword

I hope someone can help :)

regards,

Answer 1

You are running Powershell and trying to execute .bat file commands. That won't work. You have to execute Powershell statements.

$myServer = 'eu-api.mimecast.com'
$dns = (Resolve-DnsName -Name $myServer -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue).IPAddress
if ($dns.count -eq 0 ) { 
    "Unable to resolve DNS name: $myserver"
    return
}
if ($dns.count -eq 1 ) {
    $ip = $dns                # $dns is just a single IP address
} else {
    $ip = $dns[0]            # multiple IP's, $dns is an array         
}


"$myserver IP address is $ip"
route.exe add $ip mask 255.255.255.255 <NEXT HOP>