Appendix B: DOS Command Summary

CHDIR

PURPOSE

Changes the current directory.

SYNTAX

CHDIR directory

EXPLANATION

directory specifies the name of a disk directory. The name may be begin with a backslash (\) indicating the directory is a subdirectory of root.

COPY

PURPOSE

Creates a copy of a file.

SYNTAX

COPY input output

EXPLANATION

The file named as input is copied to the file named as output. If a file by the same name as that specified as output already exists, its contents are destroyed by the COPY operation. Input and output are specified as file paths.

DIR

PURPOSE

Displays the contents of the current directory.

SYNTAX

DIR /P

DIR /W

EXPLANATION

/P causes DOS to pause after filling a complete screen.

/W causes DOS to list files across the width of the screen.

ERASE

PURPOSE

Deletes DOS disk files.

SYNTAX

ERASE file path

EXPLANATION

file path may contain the disk drive identifier, directory name, and file name.

FORMAT

PURPOSE

Prepares a disk for DOS to use.

SYNTAX

FORMAT disk id

EXPLANATION

disk id specifies the letter of the disk drive. WARNING: Formatting a disk destroys all data on the disk.

MKDIR

PURPOSE

Creates a new disk directory.

SYNTAX

MKDIR directory

EXPLANATION

directory specifies a directory name. To indicate that a new directory is a subdirectory from the root directory, the name should begin with a backslash (\).

RMDIR

PURPOSE

Removes a disk directory.

SYNTAX

RMDIR directory

EXPLANATION

directory specifies a directory name to be remove. Directories must be empty before they can be removed. The current directory cannot be removed.

TYPE

PURPOSE

Display the contents of a file on the screen.

SYNTAX

TYPE file path

EXPLANATION

file path may include the disk drive identifier, directory, and the file name. Top

Appendix A: BASIC Commands Quick Reference   [... TOC]   Appendix C: Computer Speed