DISK OPERATING SYSTEM (DOS)

Introduction to the Windows Command Prompt

After reading this module and working through the lab section, you should be able to:

1. Describe the role of various keys on the keyboard.

2. Describe the function of DOS.
3. Enumerate the two types of DOS commands.
4. Describe how DOS uses files.
5. Load DOS and use several DOS commands.
6. Describe how BATCH file works.

Introduction
Before Windows was created, the most common operating system that ran on IBM PC compatibles was DOS. DOS
stands for Disk Operating System and was what you would use if you had started your computer much like you do
today with Windows. The difference was that DOS was not a graphical operating system but rather purely textual.
That meant in order to run programs or manipulate the operating system you had to manually type in commands.
When Windows was first created it was actually a graphical user interface that was created in order to make using the
DOS operating system easier for a novice user. As time went on and newer versions of Windows were developed
DOS was finally phased out with Windows ME. Though the newer operating systems do not run on DOS, they do
have a something called the command prompt, which has a similar appearance to DOS. In this tutorial we will cover
the basic commands and usage of the command prompt so that you feel comfortable in using this resource.

What You Accomplish with DOS

1. When you give a DOS command to start an application program it copies information from the
application disk to the computer's memory.
2. DOS gives you the power to manage your files, like sorting, making copies for safekeeping.
3. DOS also keeps track of the time and the date you made your files.
4. DOS helps manage hardware accessories, like the printer, mouse and installed clock.
5. DOS enables your computer to communicate with PC hardware which your OS consist of programs that
control the flow of information.

DOS FILES

A file is an organized collection of information that accessed according to its physical location in the PC.

Using FILE with DOS

File is a collection of information or data. A file consists of a root/base name the extension name.

Filenames are composed of a name and extension with 11 characters long.

Name can be 1 to 8 characters long. It can be composed of letters of the alphabet, numbers any the
following characters: $#@%!(){}.

Extension are optional. An extension starts with a period and is followed by 1 to 3 characters.

Three-characters extensions are some used by DOS, the extensions include:

.BAT -- a batch command file
.EXE -- an executable program
.COM -- an executable program
.SYS -- primarily a DOS device driver program
Default Drive it is specified in the DOS, what drive you are using.
Drive Specifier is a letter representing the name of the drive and a colon.

When naming files, the drive does not have to be specified if the drive name is the same as the default drive.

Examples:
A:EXAMPLE.21 refers to a file on the A drive.
The name is EXAMPLE and the extension is 21.

EXAMPLE.21 refers to a file on the default drive.

The name is EXAMPLE and the extension is 21.

C:EXAMPLE refers to a file on the B drive.

The name is EXAMPLE, and there is no extension.

GLOBAL FILENAME CHARACTERS

Two Special Global filename characters or wild cards which let you indicate more than one file using a single
specification. They are used in a name or an extension to refer to ANY character.
These are characters are :

1. The asterisk (*)

2. The question mark (?)

The * means that any character can be in that position and in the rest of the filename or extension.

Examples:

EXAMPLES.* refers to any file with the name of EXAMPLES and any extension.

EX*.* refers to any files whose name starts with the letter EX and with any extension.

*.* refers to any file on the disk.

*.DOC refers to any file with an extension of .DOC

The ? character means that any character can be in that position.

Examples:

EXAMPLES.?? refers to any file which name is EXAMPLES and with any 2 character extension.

EXAM?.DOC refers to any file which name starts with EXAM and is followed by one additional character and an
extension of .DOC.

FILE TYPES

Three types of files can be stored on a disk:

1. Text files--contains information that you can read. It consist solely characters that can be displayed on the screen.

2. Data files--contains information that a program, not a person, can read.

3. Program files--contain programs that the computer can execute. Unlike the two other file types, in DOS all
programs files use the extension .COM, .EXE, or .BAT.

RESERVED EXTENSIONS
DOS reserves a few filename for special purposes. Example,.EXE, used by DOS are .SYS, .CPI, .PRO, .VID,
.GRB, .SWP, and .INI. It is best not to use any of the reserved extensions in the filenames that you can
create.

DOS commands are divided into major groups:

1. An Internal commands--are built into COMMAND.COM and are available whenever the DOS prompt is
present. They are memory-resident.
2. A Transient commands--are not resident in the computer memory, are the instructions to execute the command
must be located on the disk.

SOME DOS'S INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMANDS

CHDIR/CD ATTRIB RECOVER

CLS CHKDSK SCANDISK
COPY COMMAND SYS
CTTY DEFRAG TREE
DATE DELTREE UNDELETE
DEL (ERASE) DISKCOPY UNFORMAT
DIR EDIT XCOPY
EXIT FDISK VOL
MKDIR/MD FORMAT PATH
HELP PROMPT LABEL
RMDIR/RD MEM REN
MODE TIME MSCDEX
TYPE MIRROR VER

WHY USE THE COMMAND PROMPT?

There are four main reasons to learn and use the command prompt.

1. You need understand how to enter a command at the command prompt.

2. Many computers will not be immediately upgraded to a version of DOS that support the Windows environment.
3. Once you know to use the command prompt, it is actually faster (and sometimes easier) than using the Windows.
4. There are few commands that cannot be easily activated using Windows menu selection mostly, during software
troubleshooting.