Amstrad DDI-1 manual Direct Console Commands, Filenames, Switching default drives, DIR command

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3.6 Direct Console Commands

There are five direct console commands which can be typed at the A> or B> prompt. The first of these; SAVE, is for specialist use only.

CP/M Error messages tend to be economical and normally consist of repeating the offending command or filename followed by a ?. Repeat the command with the mistake corrected.

3.6.1 Filenames

Many of the commands take filenames as parameters, and where specified the filename may contain wild-cards. (See sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.3 of the AMSDOS primer). All filenames will be forced to upper case.

Direct Console Commands and most utility programs do not require that filenames are contained in double quotes "". The CLOAD and CSAVE utilities (see section 3.7.2.3) do however require that double quotes be placed around the cassette filename only.

Remember that filenames can have an A: or B: prefix to force CP/M to use the appropriate drive if you have a two drive system.

3.6.2 Switching default drives

If you have two disc drives then it is possible to switch the default drive selection between drive A and drive B by typing A: or B: at the B> or A> prompt. That prompt, of course, tells you the current default drive. Adding the A: and B: prefix to filenames overrides, but does not reset, the default drive setting.

3.6.3 DIR command

DIR lists the DIRectory of the disc. The filenames are not sorted into any particular order, but the position of the filename in the DIR display indicates the position of that file's entry in the disc directory. Wild cards are permitted.

DIR DIR B: DIR *.BAS DIR B:*.BAS

DIR PIP.COM

will list all files

will list all files on Drive B will list all files of type .BAS

will list all files of type .BAS on drive B will list only the file PIP.COM , if it exists.

3.6.4 ERA command

ERA is used to ERAse files from the directory. Only the Directory Entry is erased so the data is still in the data section of the disc until the space is re-used by another file, but the information is nevertheless not recoverable. Wild card filenames are permitted. If the filename *.* is specified then ERA will ask for confirmation that all files should be erased. ERA does not list the filenames that are deleted. If any file about to be erased is found to be read-only (see STAT) then the command will abort.

Chapter 3.3

AMSTRAD Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual

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Contents Page Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Amstrad Contents Contents Page Connecting the Mains Lead Foundations 1 Setting UpConnecting the DDI-1 to the Computer Computer Interface Unit Main Disc Drive Drive a Computer Write Protection Foundations 2 About DiscsOpen Closed When Your Disc Is Eject Button Indicator LampROLCAVE. not found Drive a disc missing Retry, Ignore or Cancel?Foundations Loading Software/Games Run rolcaveType mismatch Bad commandSyntax error Drive a read fail Retry, Ignore or Cancel?Foundations Introducing Amsdos and CP/M Tape.in Drive B disc missing Retry, Ignore or CancelLoad filename DiscFirst Steps Using The CP/M Disc Storing Data Onto DiscCpm CLS? Back to Amsdos BewareSaving a Program in Memory onto Disc Catalog Loading From DiscEXAMPLE.BAS Copying Programs From Disc to Disc Copying Programs From Cassette to DiscCopying Programs From Disc to Cassette Copying Using Disccopy Copying Using the CP/M System DiscDo you want to copy another disc Y/N Copying Using CopydiscCopying started Reading track 0 to Writing track 0 toChkdisc Checking DiscsAborting DiscchkInstallation Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Making Working Discs Backup Master DiscDISCCOPY.COM Working SYSTEM/UTILITY discBasic only disc Turnkey Amstrad Basic discsCreating a Turnkey CP/M System disc Turnkey Basic using disc suppliedTurnkey CP/M Discs Turnkey Basic onto your Working discConfiguring a CP/M Program Configuring the Output from the packageAmbiguous filename Confirm individual files Y/N ? Configuring the Input to the package Starting a Turnkey CP/M PackagePayroll Autostarting a Turnkey CP/M Package Introduction Amsdos PrimerDisc Directory Amsdos filenames and filetypesConstruction of Filenames Amsdos headers Filenames on two drivesSave PROG.BAS a Save Bprog .BAS BERT.BAS FRED1.BAS FRED2.BAS FRED3.BAK FRED3.BAS FINISH.BAS Examples of Using Amsdos Commands in a programWild cards Saving variables and performing a Screen DumpCloseout NeatWend Closein Reference guide to Amsdos commandsPre-empting a Garbage Collection While not EOFCAT Summary of Basic commandsSummary of Amsdos external commands Save OPENOUT, Print #9, Write #9, List #9, CloseoutDISC.IN CPMDIR DiscTAPE.IN ERAREN TapeAscii files File Copying proceduresCopying Files Amsdos files with headersFile has a header Amstrad Reference guide to Amsdos Error Messages Drive Drive write fail Drive Drive disc missingDrive Drive disc is write protected Drive Drive read failCP/M Primer Operating with CP/MCP/M system tracks Configuration Sector Console control codesLogging in a disc ERA command Direct Console CommandsSwitching default drives DIR commandPeripheral Management Transient commandsREN command Type commandCassette files File and disc copyingSingle file copying Whole disc copiers and checkersStat System ManagementIs this correct Y/N SetupDo you want to update your system disc Y/N Stat SECRET.BAS $DIRFormat D Format I Format Disc GenerationAmsdos FormatSysgen BootgenAdvanced programming MovcpmAmstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Introduction to Logo What is LogoGetting Started Dr. LogoTo squareanysize side repeat 4 fd side rt 90 end Procedures with parametersRepeat 4 fd 60 rt To square Repeat 4 fd 60 rt 90 endTo triangle Repeat 3 fd edge rt 120 end Using Variables to remember valuesEditing programs and procedures Cs squareanysize 100 rt 45 squareanysizeSummary of Dr. Logo primitives Operating hintsCount Word and List ProcessingAscii CharList EmptypFirst FputArithmetic Operations Logical Operations ?= Logo Logo NotVariables ProceduresShow EditingText Screen SetsplitDot CleanGraphic Screen TypePal SetpalWindow Wrap Turtle GraphicsSetpc SethNodes Workspace ManagementSetpos ErnPlist RecycleGlist GpropKEYBOARD, Joystick buttonp Disc Files DirLoad Save?key Paddle?paddle 0 ?make key rcRelease SoundEnv EntStop LabelRepeat RunThrow ErrorCatch PauseSystem Properties Headers Technical information for the user FirmwareStore requirements Changing DiscsError Messages Bios messagesAmsdos messages Failed to load boot sector Common to ALL Formats Disc OrganisationJump Block Interception by Amsdos Jump Block Re-Interception by the UserReturn Parameters Intercepted Firmware Calls 132 #BC8C 133 #BC8F 134 #BC92 135 #BC95 #BC98137 #BC9B Page Appendix Glossary of Terms CP/M Dr.Logo Primitives TPA Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Appendix Term Limitations of Remedies Amstrad Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual Appendix Index ERA Setpos