"> was unexpected at this time." - batch/command script

Question

I'm using the batch script below:

FOR /F "TOKENS=1 DELIMS=" %%I in ('FTP -s:%FTPFIL% > log.txt') DO SET /A FTPNUM=%%I

and get an error:

> was unexpected at this time.

What is the cause of this error?

Answer 1

Put your entire command into doublequotes

('"FTP -s:%FTPFIL% > log.txt"')

Or escape the redirection with a caret

('FTP -s:%FTPFIL% ^> log.txt')