DOS Commands

• DOS Commands are instructions to perform

tasks on files and directories very useful to
Windows users.
• DOS commands are case insensitive.
 What is file or directories
• The file is the area where we store a group of
information or data, and the collection of a
group of files is called a directory.
DOS Commands are divided into 2 types:

• Internal Commands
• External Commands
 Internal Commands

• Internal Commands are built into the operating

system as the part of a file called COMMAND.COM
• When you type an Internal Command MS-DOS will
perform it immediately. All of the internal commands
are part of the shell which could be command.com
or cmd.exe (depending on your version of MS-DOS or
Windows) and are not separate files on the hard
drive. As long as you can open a command line you
can run any of the internal commands included with
your version of MS-DOS
 Example Of Ms-dos Internal Command Are:

• CLS – It is a command that allows you to clear the

complete contents of the screen and leave only a
prompt.
• REN – It is used to rename files and directories from the
original name to a new name.
• CHDIR – Chdir (change directory) is a command used to
switch directories in MS-DOS.
• EXIT – The exit command is used to withdrawal from the
currently running application and the MS-DOS session.
• RMDIR – Removes an empty directory in MS-DOS.
• DEL- Del is a command used to delete files from the computer.
• COPY – Allows you to copy one or more files to an alternate
location.
• VOL – Displays the volume of information about the designated
drive.
• TYPE- Display the contents of a text file.
• DATE – The date command can be used to look at the current date
of the computer as well as change the date to an alternate date.
• TIME – Allows the user to view and edit the computer’s time.
• DIR – The dir command displays information about files and
directories, and how many spaces available.
• SET – Allows you to change one variable or string
to another.
• MKDIR/MD – Allows you to create directories in
MS-DOS.
• PATH – Path is used to specify the location where
MS-DOS looks when using a command.
• DISKCOMP- Comparing two diskettes.
• DISKCOPY- Copying a diskette.
• RD- Remove a directory.
 External Commands

• These external commands are for performing

advanced tasks and they do need some
external file support as they are not stored in
COMMAND.COM.
• DELTREE- Short for delete tree, deltree is a command used to
delete files and directories permanently from the computer.
• TREE- Allows the user to view a listing of files and folders in
an easy to read the listing.
• PRINT – The print command allows users to print a text file to
a line printer, in the background.
• FIND – Allows you to search for text within a file.
• XCOPY – Xcopy is a powerful version of the copy command
with additional features; has the capability of moving files,
directories, and even whole drives from one location to
another.
• DISK COMP- Compares the contents of a floppy
disk in the source drive to the contents of a
floppy disk in the target drive.
• FORMAT – Format is used to erase information
off of a computer diskette or fixed drive.
• ATTRIB – Attrib allows a user to change the
attributes of a file or files.
• SORT- Sorts the input and displays the output to
the screen.
• CHKDSK- Chkdsk is a utility that checks the
computer’s hard drive status for any cross-linked
or any additional errors with the hard drive.
• FORMAT – Format a diskette.
• PRINT – Printing a file.
• MOVE- Allows you to move files or directories
from one folder to another, or from one drive to
another.