Batch script "meta" variables

Like many people, I suppose, I use the batch process in Photo-Paint 8 to create multiple sizes and thumbnails of photos. I also write out HTML in the same process. I've have been searching for, and unable to find, a way for my script to be able to know how many files are being processed in the entire batch process and which number of file it's currently on (e.g. #5 of 23).

I've searched high and low for this information which Photo-paint, internally MUST have, but I just don't know where to find it. Any ideas out there? Does it become available in more recent releases? I'm reluctant, but willing to roll-my-own solution but I'm not sure even the best way to go about that.

Thanks for any help!