WHAT IS DOS?

Dos is a disk operating system with a set of programs that act as a translator between the user and the computer in order to perform the task of the user. Ms-Dos is a popular operating system on Micro-Computers.

1. Internal commands. These commands, like COPY, DEL, and TYPE, are stored in your computer's memory and can be used anytime you see the system prompt. Many of the most-used commands fall into this category.
INTERNAL COMMANDS These are those commands which are contained in command.com files of MS-DOS. These are those functions that are built into the command interpreter. There is no need of any external file in computer to read internal MS-DOS command. These commands can be used as long as DOS is running on the system. Internal commands do not vary from system to system. These are ver, time, del, md, cd, copy con, cls, date, vol, ren, copy etc. Internal Commands: Cls : This command is used to clear the screen. Ver : This helps us to know the later version of dos. Vol : This command shows the label of the current drive & and its serial number. Date : This command display the current date. Also called as the system date. Time : This command display the current time and also the message to enter the new time.

2. External commands. This group of commands are stored on your disk. To use them, either insert the DOS floppy disk, or change to the directory on your hard disk which contains DOS external commands. See the directory section of this manual for more details. Examples of external commands include FORMAT, DISKCOPY, and CHKDSK. This next section is devoted to each command and will tell you whether the command is internal or external. Some commands can take several forms. These separate forms are used by including various parameters with the command. Parameters, which will be discussed with each command, are indicate by a "/" mark. Here is an example of a command with an attached parameter: