Some commands also have optional switches you can use. A switch is a type of parameter that alters the effects of a command. For example, suppose you want to format a 360KB diskette in your 1.2MB diskette drive. To do this, you need to add a switch to the FORMAT command like this:

FORMAT A: /4

Without the /4 switch, FORMAT would try to format the diskette as a 1.2MB capacity diskette. Switches are generally preceded by a forward slash ( / ).

Each MS-DOS command is either internal or external. Internal commands are commands that are built into MS-DOS and can be

used at any time once MS-DOS is loaded into memory. External

--

commands are stored on your system diskettes as program files. To run an external command, MS-DOS must be able to locate the file containing the command’s instructions. If it cannot find the file, MS-DOS gives you an error message.

See your MS-DOS Reference Manual for more information on the command format. Also see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for command descriptions that tell you which parameters and delimiters are required for each command and which optional parameters and switches you can use.

Entering MS-DOS Commands

You can enter an MS-DOS command whenever you see the MS-DOS command prompt. Type the command name and any necessary parameters and delimiters and then press Enter to execute the command. You can type command names and parameters in either uppercase or lowercase letters.

If you make a mistake when typing a command and you notice it before you press Enter, you can do either of two things:

•Use the Backspace key to back up to the error so you can correct it

. Press ESC to cancel the command line.

5-4 Using MS-DOSwith Your Equity 386