The MS-DOS Command Format

To enter an MS-DOS command, you need to type the command in the correct format. The MS-DOS command format consists of the command name, parameters, and delimiters. The command name tells MS-DOS the task you want to perform. Parameters are items that identify the data you want to process (such as a filename) and change the way a command works. Delimiters are characters such as spaces or commas that separate command names and parameters.

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 any time 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 manuals for more information on the command format and for a detailed description of each command.

3-4 Using MS-DOS With Your Computer