Personal Computer 101

What about the DOS command language? How can I use it?

The DOS command language is a simple but powerful command language. It is "layered" under the Windows OS currently (may not be there in the future) but it is not really needed anymore by Windows.

You can access DOS through the Command Window provided by MS®. Normally you would go Start / Programs / Accessories / Command Prompt to open the command window.

The value of DOS? Well you can enter commands in the window to FTP a file, trace an internet route, learn about DOS commands and what they do, write a DOS command program to house clean your system then shut it down, delete all files in a folder if the folder exists, boot into Command Line mode from the Safe Mode menu and enter DOS commands to delete an erring file, etc.

For example, the command below would defrag your disc no matter how little
free space there was, at high priority and display full results upon completion:

start "Defrag disk" /max /high C:\WINDOWS\system32\defrag.exe C:\ -v -f

Here are some basic DOS commands to help you get started on what DOS does:

DOS command Function


help	list all DOS commands
(command) /?	help on that command, e.g. dir /?
help (command)	another way to get help on a command
if else dir date echo find format verify tree	examples of some powerful DOS commands

DOS commands are very powerful and unforgiving, so never run one if you do not fully understand what it will do.

Got questions you would like answered? Yes

keoni@isp.com