DOS commands are used to the function of file and disk

activities. There are two types of MS-DOS commands.

1. Internal Command: Internal Command is work by
Command.Com file. The features of Internal Command is-

 The working speed of this command is very fast.

 This command is used much time.
 Do not erase Internal Command.
 The length of Internal Command is very short.

The example of Internal Command is: –

DATE, TIME, VOL, VER, CLS,COPY CON, DIR, MD, DEL,
REN, TYPE, PROMPT, PAUSE etc.
2. External Command: Some commands are used in
external part that is known as External Command. The
features of External Command is-

 The length of External Command is very long.

 Erased this commands.
 Working speed is very slow.

The example of External Command is: –

ATTRIB, SORT, EDIT, TREE, MOVE, DISKCOPY, FIND,
XCOPY, MORE, LABLE, FORMATE etc.
Internal Commands of
MS-DOS
 DATE– It is an Internal Command. By this Command we
can see and modify the current date on the computer
system.

 TIME – It is an Internal Command. By this we can see and

display the current time on the computer system.

 VOL (Volume) – It is an Internal Command. By this

command, we can see the Volume number of system
software.
 VER (Version) – It is an Internal Command. By this
command, we can see the version number of system
software.

 CLS – It is an Internal Command. This command is used

to clear the screen.
 COPY CON: – It is an Internal Command. By this
command we can create a new file.

 DIR: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we

can display the files and directories name list.
 DIR/P: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we
can display page wise files name.

 DIR/W: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we

can display width wise all files and directories name list
without time, size etc.
 DIR/B: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we
can display only primary name list of files and directories.

 DIR/L: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we

can display the file and directories name with lower case.
 DIR/S: – It is an Internal Command. By this command
we can display directories name with sub directories and
files.

 DIR/AH: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we

can display the hidden file from the drive.
 DIR A*.* :- It is an Internal Command. By this command we
can display all file names begging the ‘A’ letter.

 DIR *.TXT: – It is an Internal Command. By this command,

we can display files name with ‘.txt’ extension name.

 DIR ?A*.* :- It is an Internal Command. By this command

we can display the file name in the second letter is ‘A’.
  DIR *.SYS :- It is an Internal Command. By this command
we can see the files name with .sys extension name.

Note:- ‘*’ (Asterisks) and ‘?’, these symbols are known as

Wildcard Character. ‘.’ The symbol is different two names. Like
as Primary and Extension name.
 TYPE: – It is an Internal Command. By this command we
can see the file content. (Which file do you want to see just
Input the file name)
 REN (Rename): – It is an Internal Command. This
command is used to change the file name.

 DEL (Delete): – It is an Internal Command. This command

is used to delete any old file.

 MD (Make Directory): – It is an Internal Command. By this

command we can create a new directory.

 CD: – It is an Internal Command. This command is used to

enter any old directory to main path.
 CD.. :- It is an Internal Command. This command is used
to exit last directory from main path.

 CD\ :- It is an Internal Command. This command is used to

exit all directories from main path and come back to main
drive as prompt.

 RD (Remove Directory) :- It is an Internal Command. This

command is used to delete any old directory.
Note:- All the above DOS commands are used in any drive.
Like as- C:, E:, D: etc.

MS DOS External
Commands
 EDIT: – It is an External Command. By this command we
can edit/ modify the file content.

 ATTRIB: – It is an External Command. This command is

used to hide and unhide any hidden file.
1. How to hide any file?
 2. How
to Unhide any file?
 TREE: – It is an External Command. By this command we
can display the directories name with structure.
  COPY: – It is an External Command. This command is
used to copy file from any directory to another directory or
drive.

E.g. How to copy Washington.txt file to Africa directory?

 XCOPY:- It is an External Command. By this command we
can copy any file from any directory to another directory
drive or directory much faster than copy command.
 MORE:- It is an External Command. By this command we
can display the file content up to 25 lines at a time then
continue. (pause after 25 lines)

 FC (File Compare): – It is an External Command. By this

command we can display the different between two file.
 CHKDSK: – It is an External Command. By this command
we can check the status of disk.

 LABEL: – It is an External Command. By this command

we can display and delete the current label.

 MOVE: – It is an External Command. This command is

used to move any file to any drive.

 SORT: – It is an External Command. This command is

used to sort the file.
 BATCH FILE: – It is an External Command. This
command is used to display automation the DOS
command. The extension name of Batch file is ‘.bat’.