Is there a way to use formulae in automatic naming of output files?

[Valandil]

When using the "automatically name output files" feature, I'm wondering if there is a way to use a formula to alter the data entered.

Suppose I am backing up a DVD I own which has the main (title) chapter and 20 bonus chapters. I'd like to save the title chapter (the movie) with its title and year; taking the film "Ex Machina" as an example, I'd name the main chapter "Ex Machina - (2014)". This I can do manually.

The other 19 chapters (the bonus tracks) I'd like to save in a format something like this: "Ex Machina - Bonus Track 1", "Ex Machina - Bonus Track 2", "Ex Machina - Bonus Track 3", etc.

If I use the "automatically name output files" feature to append the "Title" to the string "Ex Machina - Bonus Track ", it names the first bonus track "Ex Machina - Bonus Track 2", since the first BONUS track is actually the second title on the DVD. In order to have the bonus chapters named beginning with "1", I need to, and have been, renaming each of the 19 affected files.

I'm wondering if there is a way to use a formula, in the "automatically name output files" window or elsewhere, to programmatically assign such a number. I won't be surprised if there is not; that's a pretty good stretch for a feature.

I have used and greatly appreciated VLC for a long time and will continue to do so either way. But the question seemed worth asking. In my experience, if you don't ask the unasked question, the answer is always "no".

Thanks and Best Wishes to All!

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

You mean this? https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Format_String/

[Valandil]

Thanks, Remi, for that thoughtful and informative reply.

Actually I was thinking of something (perhaps in the "automatically name output files" window or programmatically) along the lines of: "Title -1" (as in "Title minus 1") or something of the sort. Admittedly, I am no developer, though I have written some fairly complex code in DBMS environments.

I did click the "src/text/strings.c" link at the bottom of the page you cited to try to get more information but that link is dead.

Thanks again!