Some commands also have optional switches you can use. A switch is a type of parameter that alters the effect of a command.

Pathnames may be required in a command if you are specifying files that are not on the current drive or directory. A pathname tells MS-DOS where to find a file, and consists of one or more directory names separated by backslashes. See “Using Pathnames,” later in this chapter.

There are two kinds of MS-DOS commands: internal and 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 on a system diskette or on your hard disk. If the file is not

 

stored in the current drive and directory, you may need to use a

 

pathname when you enter an external command.

_-

See your MS-DOS manual for more information on the command

 

format and for detailed descriptions of each command.

 

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 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 one of two things:

•Use the backspace key to back up and correct the error

•Press ESC to cancel the command line.

If you press Enter when a command line has an error in it, the screen displays an error message. Usually, the command prompt reappears so you can try again. Type the correct command and

press Enter.

5-4 Using MS-DOS With Your Equity LT-286