Command Prompt (DOS)

Open a Command Prompt window

A command prompt is an entry point for typing computer commands in the Command Prompt window. By typing commands at the command prompt, you can perform tasks on your computer without using the Windows graphical interface.

Note

·         Here's another way to open a Command Prompt window:

·         Click the Start button.

·         In the search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results,

·         click Command Prompt.

Windows application affords user to execute commands by selection from menu with the aids of mouse or keyboard. Unlike MS DOS environment, users do not need to type any commands in words. However, the need may arise for any user to use MS-DOS environment, the provision is made available under windows 95 and 98 etc. to perform this, you select MS-DOS under program. MS-DOS environment will be displayed. We will first examine the different command available. A command used here is an instruction given to the computer to perform a specific task. DOS command are grouped into two: Internal command and External command.

Internal command                                 

These are loaded into the computer memory during booting. They are contains in a system file on the disk. Examples are;

CLS             For clearing information displayed on the screen of the monitor.

COPY         For making duplication of files or for combining several file into a single file

DATE        Displays and changes the systems current date

DEL          Removes unwanted files

DIR          Displays files in directories and subdirectories

PATH          Sets a search path for commands and files

TIME          Displays and enables changes to the computer time

VER            Displays the version of the operating system on the computer.

MD              For creating directories and subdirectories

RD              For removing unwanted directories and subdirectories

CD              Used to change from one directory to another

REN            Changes the name of a file to newly given one

EXTERNAL COMMANDS

External command resides in the disk. They are only taken to the computer memory when they are to be used examples are:

DESKCMP            For comparing the contents of two diskettes of the same type and format.

DISKCOPY          Copies an entire disk to another disk.

CHKDSKY            Check  the integrity of data on disk and restores corrupted files on disks.

FDISK                  Format hard disk partitions or give information on partitions

FIND                    Searches for a string of characters within a group files

FORMAT              Prepare a  new or used diskette for use

XCOPY                For copying all data in a particular directory on a disk to another disk

SCANDISK          An advanced type of CHKDSK

COMMAND SYNTAX

A command syntax is a combination of all the statement to enable the command to satisfy the condition of the operating system, and thereby, perform the require operation. A syntax will contain the name of the command itself, the object on which the operation is to be performed like disk and the type of operation to be performed.