1. DOS Commands What is a command Types of DOS Commands Basic Terms
Internal
External
Basic Terms
File (File Types)
Executable File
Non Executable File
Directory
Root Directory
Parent Directory

2. What is a Command
A command is a set of instructions used to perform a specific work
Interpreted by the OS interpreter to a machine language
E.g. <md Ram>,<cd Ram>,etc.

3. Types of Command Internal Command External Command
Those commands which are already loaded in the Command.COM file while switching to the MS DOS
E.g. CLS, VER, DEL, etc.
External Command
Those commands which are not loaded when loading the Program but are available in the Disk and can be invoked whenever necessary
E.g. FORMAT, TREE, XCOPY, etc.

4. What is a File
A group of organized data (records) which are assembled for one particular purpose and considered as one unit
Stored in permanent storage like hard disk, diskettes,etc.

5. Types of Files Files can broadly be categorized into two types:
Executable Files
Non-Executable Files (Data Files)

6. What are EXE Files Exe Files:
Program files that run or execute themselves
Have either COM or EXE or BAT as extension

7. What are Data Files
Non- executable files that contain only the data that we produce
Cannot execute themselves
Need application program to run

8. What is a Directory
A directory is a list of file which is itself a file stored in the computer’s memory so that users can reference it as it is required
Also called a catalog of files

9. Root Directory
The Root directory is that directory that is automatically created when the disk is formatted
It is the current drive that we have been working
E.g. A:\, B:\ (for Floppy Disk Drive)
C:\,D:\ etc. (for Hard Disk Drive)

10. Current / Parent Directory
Current directory is that directory in which you are currently working
Parent directory is that directory which is one level up of the current directory
E.g. C:\Ram\Hari>
Current directory
Parent directory
Root directory

11. Getting into MS DOS
To start MS DOS, click on the Start button and choose Run
In the Run dialog box, type CMD or COMMAND which is the EXE file for MS DOS
Click on the OK button

12. Listing the Directories and Files in MS DOS
For listing the Sub-directories and Files within a directory, we use the DIR command
Syntax :
DIR [Directory_name]
E.g. C:\>DIR NCIT
Displays all the directories/files within the directory NCIT

13. Dir/p : -Display file and directory page wise.
Dir/w :- Display file And directory in horizontal Style.
Dir/p/ w:- Display file And directories page wise and horizontal style also.
Dir/ah :-Display all hidden files and directories.
Dir/a-d : - Display only files.
Dir/ad :- Display only Directories.
Dir/a/s:-Display all directory and file with subdirectory.
Dir/a :- Display All Hidden And Non hidden file and directories.
Dir n*.* :Display all file and directory starting with ‘ n ’ alphabet.

14. Creating a Directory in MS DOS
For creating the Directory in MS DOS, we use the MD (Make Directory)command
Syntax:
C:\> MD NCIT

15. Changing a Directory in MS DOS
For changing the directory in MS DOS, we use the CD (Change Directory) command
Syntax:
C:\>CD NCIT
Now it appears as:
C:\NCIT>

16. Switching between Directories
For switching between the directories we use the CD.. Or CD\ commands
The CD.. Command switches from the current directory to the Parent directory whereas the CD\ command switches from the current directory to the Root directory

17. Creating Files in MS DOS
For creating the files in DOS, the command COPY CON is used
Syntax:
COPY CON filename
Note: File name should not exceed eight characters excluding three characters for extension
E.g. College1.txt

18. Reading Files in MS DOS
For reading the Pre-created files in MS DOS, we use the TYPE command. It displays all the contents that are in the file.
Syntax :
TYPE Filename

19. Renaming Files For renaming the files in MS DOS we use the REN Command
Syntax:
REN oldfilename newfilename

20. Deleting Files in MS DOS
For deleting files in MS DOS we use the DEL command
Syntax :
DEL Filename

21. Deleting directories in MSDOS
For deleting the directories in MS DOS we use the RD command
Syntax :
RD Directoryname
Note : For removing the directory first the directory should be empty

22. Copying Files in MS DOS
In MS DOS, Files can be copied within the same as well as to another Drive / directory
For copying the files in the same drive we use the following syntax :
COPY sourcefile destination
E.g. C:\>COPY [c:\]NCIT\file1.txt C:\NCITNGH

23. Copying Files in MS DOS
Files can be copied not only in the same drive but in different drive, too. For copying the files in different drive, a complete location along with the Drive specification should be mentioned
Syntax :
C:\>COPY C:\NCIT\file1 D:\NCITNGH\NCIT

24. The MOVE Command
The MOVE Command in MS DOS is used to permanently move the files from one location to another.
The COPY command only copies the files leaving the original one, whereas the MOVE command does not leave any copy
Syntax :
C:\>MOVE source_file destination_directory
E.g.
C:\>MOVE c:\NCIT\file1 D:\NCIT1\file2

25. The VOL Command
The VOL command is used to check the Volume of the Disk-drive. It displays the volume of the current disk-drive
Syntax :
VOL Drivename
E.g.
C:\> VOL

26. Checking the Version of OS
The VER command is used to check the version of the Operating System that is used in the Computer
Syntax :
C:\>VER
E.g. C:\>VER
Returns the version of OS as Microsoft Windows 2000 [version ]

27. Checking the Date/Time
For checking the date from the system in MS DOS, we use the DATE command. It returns the current system date.
Similarly, the TIME command returns the current time from the system.
Syntax :
C:\>DATE
E.g. C:\>DATE

28. E.g. FORMAT, TREE, XCOPY, etc.
External Commands
Those commands which are not loaded when loading the Program but are available in the Disk and can be invoked whenever necessary
E.g. FORMAT, TREE, XCOPY, etc.

29. The Label Command
The Label command is used to check the label of the disk that you have been currently working
Syntax :
Label [drivename]
E.g.
C:\>Label

30. XCopy Command
Xcopy command is used to copy the files from one location to another along with the directories/sub-directories
Syntax :
C:\>XCOPY c:\dir_name d:\[dir_name]
E.g. C:\>XCOPY c:\CSE d:\[CSE]
Note: For copying all the sub-directories, /S is used

31. The DISKCOPY Command E.g.
The DISKCOPY command is used to copy all the files from one disk to the another disk
It can be used to copy files from one floppy disk to another (if two floppy drives exist in the System)
Syntax :
C:\> DISKCOPY first_diskdrive: second_diskdrive:
E.g.
C:\> DISKCOPY A: B:

32. The DISKCOMP Command
The DISKCOMP command in MS DOS compares the contents of two disks (hard disk or floppy disk). The system first reads the contents of one disk and compares it with the another
Syntax :
C:\> DISKCOMP A: B:
For defining the no.of sectors, /no. can be used

33. The FORMAT Command
The FORMAT command prepares a new disk for use by organizing the disk into magnetic tracks and sectors
Syntax :
A:\>FORMAT [Drive_name]
E.g.
C:\>FORMAT A:

34. The TREE Command
The TREE command is used to display all directory pathnames on the specified disk
Syntax :
C:\>TREE [disk_name]
E.g.
C:\>TREE A:

35. The EDIT Command
The EDIT command in MS DOS is used to edit the files. It provides a different full screen Editor window with a few menu options.
Syntax :
C:\>EDIT [filename]
E.g.
C:\>EDIT file1

36. The MORE Command
The MORE Command in MS DOS is used to view the contents of directories or files one line after the another, I.e. it displays one line at one press of return (Enter) key
Syntax :
DIR |MORE
E.g.
DIR C:\NCIT |MORE
A pipeline is used along with the MORE command

37. The PRINT Command
The PRINT Command in MS DOS is used to print the text files
Syntax :
PRINT Filename
E.g.
PRINT File1.txt

38. The PROMPT Command Now, the Prompt will be as NCIT
The PROMPT is used to configure a DOS prompt into our linking
Syntax :
C:\ PROMPT Promptname
E.g.
PROMPT NCIT
Now, the Prompt will be as NCIT