Conclusion

Thank you for using the instructional blog "DOS for Dummies". A basic outline of the DOS Interface is covered on this blog, and we hope the user finds the information useful. Good Luck in DOS!

Miscellaneous File Extensions

Certain characters on your keyboard can be used in DOS as "wildcard" characters, in place of file names or extenstions.

The asterisk (*) represents any 0 or more characters of a file name.
The question mark (?) represents 0 or one character.

Practically speaking, this means that the user has a simple way to specify a set of file names that have some characteristics in common.

For Example:

• history. * - will match any file named "history", with any extension
• *.doc- will match all documents with .doc extension
• *.* - will match all files of any name and any extension

These characters are useful when copying, moving or deleting a large group of files. It allows the user to quickly search through many files of the same name or extension, and execute a search more thoroughly.

Simple, Useful, DOS Commands

In the DOS Interface, you can also perform simple tasks quickly and efficiently, such as copying, moving or renaming directories or files.

The Copy Command
To copy a file or directory, the following format is used:

e:\> copy_(filename.ext)_(new file location)
e:\> copy winterdance.doc b:\

The above example will copy the document named "winterdance" from its current location, on the e: drive, to a new location, the root directory of the b: drive.

The Move Command
To move a file or directory, type the following command into DOS:

e:\> move_(old directory name)_(new directory name)

The Rename Command
To rename a file or group of files, use the following DOS command:

e:\>ren_(old filename)_(new filename)

Copying, Moving and Renaming files can be accomplished quickly using DOS.

Manuevering between Drives or Directories

Say you are in DOS and you are viewing the directory called "Summer". You want to now view the directory called "Spring". This function can be performed using the "CD" command, for Change Directory. Simply type the name of the directory or drive that you would like to view, as follows:

e:\>cd spring

The DOS program will change directories to follow this command. Using the "DIR" command, you can now view the files on this directory, as you would any other, and can also create, delete, copy or move directories, which will be addressed in the next step.

Creating and Deleting Directories

You can create and delete your own directories as neccesary, using the DOS Interface.
To create a directory, use the function "MD" for Make Directory.
To delete a directory, use the function "RD" or "DEL" for Remove Directory or Delete.

For example, to create the directory "Summer" under the root of the e:\ drive, type:

e:\>md summer

To delete it, type:

e:\>rd summer (or) e:\>del summer

Note: To check the results of your actions, such as creating or deleting a directory, you can always use the DIR command.

Displaying an Existing Directory

We can view existing directories on a particular drive by using the DIR command.
Typing "DIR" into DOS will list all existing directories in the current drive.

For example, after typing e:\>dir into the DOS Interface, the directories contained in drive e:\ are displayed.

Note: Simply typing "dir" under the current drive will display the root directory of that drive, that is, the outermost layer of the drive. The difference between a root directory and a general directory will be addressed later.

Running a Program through DOS

Using our basic knowledge of the DOS Interface, we can now easily run a program using DOS. Instead of conducting a lengthy search on the Windows Operating System, we can use DOS to find the program and execute it faster.

For example, to run the program "Edit", simply type "edit" and the file name you will edit into the DOS Interface:

a:/>edit "filename"."file extension"

The "Edit" Program will open this file for you in one easy step!

Formatting

The first function we will learn through DOS is how to format a disk or drive. A disk or drive must first be formatted in order to enable it for use. However, if you format a disk or drive that already contains information, THE INFORMATION WILL BE LOST. Use this function with care! To enable this function, the following DOS command is used:

a:\>FORMAT b: /s /v

The above command shows that we are currently in the a: drive and we want to format the b: drive. The indication of /s allows the operating system files to be transferred to the new disk and the indication /v allows the user to specify a label to identify the new disk.

Once a disk has been formatted, it is ready to be used! Now we can easily work with directories and files on this newly formatted disk.

Getting Started in the DOS Interface

DOS has an easy to use interface which is used primarily for the following functions:
Formatting Drives/Disks
Running Programs
Setting Up Directories
Working with Directories and Subdirectories

This instructional blog will cover the above basic functions,
in addition to an overview of the following DOS commands:
FORMAT- formats a disk
DIR- displays a directory
MD- creates a directory
RD- removes a directory
CD- moves the user to a different directory
COPY- copies a file or directory
MOVE- moves a file or directory
DEL- deletes a file or directory
REN- renames a file of directory

To enable DOS using Windows, simply click on Start-Run and type "cmd". This will open the DOS Command Interface. Let's get started!

Welcome to DOS for Dummies!

Don't be offended! Most people don't know how to use DOS! Microsoft Windows is not the ONLY way to run your computer, you know! DOS, or Disk Operating System, is an easy to use "command interface" which allows the user to type into the program to achieve the desired results. This blog was designed to teach the DOS user the basics of creating and working with directories and basic file manipulations, such as copying, moving, erasing and renaming files. Let's Get Started!