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DOS.TXT
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1993-05-20
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----------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM DOS COMMANDS FOR USING SHAREWARE
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Before we move forward, a brief refresher course in several
basic DOS operations without which a shareware disk is useless.
DOS SYNTAX
A DOS command must always use the same syntax illustrated
below:
COMMAND <blank space> WHAT? <space> WHERE? <press return/enter>
Example: COPY PCLEARN.TXT B: <press return/enter key>
Example: TYPE PCLEARN.DOC <press return/enter key>
In the second example DOS assume the WHERE is the screen.
In the first example DOS needs to be told that a copy
of a file is to be sent to the B: floppy drive.
NOTE! Generally DOS commands, drive letters and filenames
and be typed in upper or lower case or both, since DOS
is not fussy in that respect. It is ok to use capital letters,
small letters or any combination.
THE DIR COMMAND
An essential command which displays the names of the files
on a disk.
Example: A>DIR <press return/enter>
Lists files on the diskette your are in THE DEFAULT DRIVE, in
this case is A:
Example: A>DIR B:
Lists files in the B: drive. We have omitted the <press enter/
return> since you already know this is necessary after a DOS
command.
Example: A>DIR /P
List files in current default drive but pause after each
screenful of information.
Example: A>DIR B: /P
Same as above, but list the files on B: drive with a pause.
Example: A>DIR /W
List current default drive but display in wide screen mode
for numerous files.
NOTE! With any DOS operation which rapidly fills and overflows
the screen with data, try pressing CTRL-S (control or ctrl key
plus the S key together at same time) to pause the screen.
Any key touched resumes the scrolling display and CTRL-S
repeated pauses again. Very handy!
NOTE! Switching drives is easy. If you see this: A>
and you want to change the default drive to this: B>
then simply do this: A>B: <press return/enter>
Switching default drives is an essential skill!
THE FORMAT COMMAND
This prepares a blank disk to receive new information. You must
format disks out of the package from the store before you can
use them. Formatting tests a disk and installs magnetic tracks
where information will later reside.
Examples:
C>FORMAT A: format floppy in A:
A>FORMAT B: format floppy in B:
C>FORMAT B:/S see below for explanation . . .
The last example formats the disk in B: drive and also adds the
special system files so that the disk can be self starting
or self booting. Not essential with most disk you will work
with. You MUST have the special file FORMAT.COM on your disk or
hard drive to able to do this operation since FORMAT.COM normally
resides EXTERNALLY on a floppy or in a special area of your hard
drive.
THE COPY AND DISKCOPY COMMANDS
Moves, copies and even renames files as they pass from one
disk to another.
Examples:
A>COPY *.* B: Copies ALL files (indicated by *.*) to the
B: floppy drive.
A>DISKCOPY A: B:
This is a variation of the copy command. The above example will
copy the ENTIRE contents of the diskette in the A: drive to the
B: drive. DISKCOPY.COM is an external file and must be available
to be used! The COPY command is an internal command (always
resides in your computer's RAM memory and is thus ALWAYS
AVAILABLE - unlike DISKCOPY.COM)
A>DISKCOPY A: A:
This is a variation of the diskcopy command. The above example will
copy the ENTIRE contents of the diskette in the A: drive to the
A: drive for those using ONLY a single floppy drive system and
perhaps not having a B: or C: drive. In essence, this variation
copies the SOURCE diskette into memory, allows you to remove the
SOURCE diskette, insert a blank formatted TARGET diskette and
transfer the files to that new floppy. Useful for those having only
a single floppy drive.
C>COPY A:*.* B:
Copies all files from A: to B: while still in the C: default
directory.
C>COPY A:HAPPY.DOC B:
Copies only the file HAPPY.DOC to B:
NOTE! DISKCOPY is an external command and must be on the disk
or in the default directory to work. COPY is an internal command
and is always available at the DOS command line. We mentioned
this before, but it is worth repeating . . .
TYPE COMMAND
Lets you view the internal contents of a file on the screen.
If the file is in ASCII or english text (same thing) you will be
able to read it. If the file is not ASCII then you will see
symbols which are gibberish. Only text or ASCII files are
readable for the most part.
Examples:
C>TYPE MANUAL.DOC
Type the contents of the file MANUAL.DOC to the screen. Remember
to use CTRL-S to pause, any key to resume scrolling and
CTRL-S to pause again.
A>TYPE B:MANUAL.DOC
Type the file MANUAL.DOC which is located on the B: drive to the
screen.
PRINT COMMAND
There are actually two ways to print text or documentation files
on your printer.
Examples:
C>PRINT EXAMPLE.DOC
Prints on your printer the contents of the file EXAMPLE.DOC.
Note that PRINT command is an external file and must be present
in the default drive to be used!
C>TYPE EXAMPLE.DOC>PRN
This is a useful alternative method of accomplishing the same
result by using the TYPE command which is an internal command,
always available and redirecting the output to a printer. The small
> symbol is found as a shifted period mark on most keyboards
and in other locations on your keyboard. Be sure to find and try
the > symbol.
NOTE! To stop printing use the CTRL-C key combination to stop the
printing and completely abort. CTRL-C works to abort just about
ANY DOS operation safely.