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Presentation 10 – Using the Command Line. Objectives. At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:. Explain how to get to the command line in an operational PC and in a faulty PC. Explain the difference between an internal and an external command.
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Objectives At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
Explain how to get to the command line in an operational PC and in a faulty PC. • Explain the difference between an internal and an external command. • Properly structure a command, given the available parameters of that command. • Explain the difference between a slash and a backslash. • Demonstrate the proper way to use wildcards in a command.
Definition: DOS • DOS is Disk Operating System • DOS was the original operating system for the personal computer • “DOS” is now used to refer to a text-based interface
What’s it called? • MS-DOS Prompt • DOS Prompt • Command Line • Command Prompt • Command-Line Interface • “DOS”
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ C:\>
Graphical Interface Command Line Input Mouse Clicks Copy Commands Translate mouse clicks into commands Edit replace
Why use the Command Line? • In a faulty PC, it may be the only way to get the computer running again. • Some operations are faster and easier from the command line. • Some commands have no graphical equivalent • Certification tests have questions about using the command line.
Unique Command Line Commands • at • convert • cacls
Getting to the Command Line in a faulty PC. Boot the PC from a CD or floppy that contains a Command Interpreter.
Internal Commands • Built into the Command Interpreter (COMMAND.COM or CMD.EXE). • Already in memory if DOS is loaded. • Available anytime the computer is displaying the command line prompt. • Generally, the more frequently used commands. • Examples include: DIR, COPY, PATH, CD, MD, DEL, TIME, DATE.
External Commands • Not a part of Command Interpreter. • Located in another directory. • Must be loaded into memory as needed by DOS. • Examples include: FORMAT and DISKCOPY.
Syntax • A specific set of rules that you must follow when writing commands. • The order in which you arrange the elements of the command. • The rules of grammar for commands.
Commands have three Parts: Keyword Parameter Switch Optional
Keyword - What action to perform. Parameter - What is acted upon. Switches - How to perform the action.
Keyword • A unique word or set of characters that identifies the action to be performed. • Some are quite descriptive: FORMAT, COPY, MOVE • Others are abbreviated: DEL and DIR • A few are little more than memory aids: GRAFTABL.
Parameter • Additional directions for the command. • It may specify a directory or file on which to perform the action. • It may specify a hardware device. • It may specify a system setting.
Switches • A special type of parameter that enables or disables optional functions of the command. • The /P switch with the DIR command displays the directory one screen at a time. • The /W switch with the DIR command displays the directory in the wide format (five columns wide).
Two Common Forms of Commands: Keyword Drive/Files Switches Or Keyword Source Files Target Files Switches
DEL SALES07.DOC File Keyword
DEL A:\SALES07.DOC File Keyword
COPY FILE13.TXT A: Keyword Source Target or Destination
COPY FILE13.TXT A: Space Space
COPY FILE13.TXT A: /V Keyword Switch Source Target or Destination
Backslash Vs. Forward Slash • \ Backslashes are used as separators when specifying directory or file information. • / Forward slashes are used to notify the command line that the next character is a switch.
You Inadvertently Type:copyfile13 Command Line Replies:‘copyfile13’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Getting Help. • Type HELP followed by the command you want to know about. • Type the command and then follow it with the switch /?.
* * ? A ? ? * A Wild Cards A A A
FILE1 FILE2 FILE3 FILE4 FILE5 ... FILEA FILEB FILEC FILED FILEE ... The file name: FILE? Can represent:
JAN06SLS.XLS FEB06SLS.XLS MAR06SLS.XLS APR06SLS.XLS MAY06SLS.XLS JUN06SLS.XLS JUL06SLS.XLS AUG06SLS.XLS SEP06SLS.XLS OCT06SLS.XLS NOV06SLS.XLS DEC06SLS.XLS JAN07SLS.XLS FEB07SLS.XLS MAR07SLS.XLS APR07SLS.XLS MAY07SLS.XLS JUN07SLS.XLS JUL07SLS.XLS AUG07SLS.XLS SEP07SLS.XLS OCT07SLS.XLS NOV07SLS.XLS DEC07SLS.XLS
JAN0?SLS.XLS JAN06SLS.XLS JAN07SLS.XLS JAN00SLS.XLS JAN01SLS.XLS JAN02SLS.XLS JAN03SLS.XLS JAN04SLS.XLS JAN05SLS.XLS
???07SLS.XLS JAN07SLS.XLS FEB07SLS.XLS MAR07SLS.XLS APR07SLS.XLS MAY07SLS.XLS JUN07SLS.XLS JUL07SLS.XLS AUG07SLS.XLS SEP07SLS.XLS OCT07SLS.XLS NOV07SLS.XLS DEC07SLS.XLS
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JAN0*SLS.XLS JAN06SLS.XLS JAN07SLS.XLS JAN00SLS.XLS JAN01SLS.XLS JAN02SLS.XLS JAN03SLS.XLS JAN04SLS.XLS JAN05SLS.XLS
07SLS.XLS * JAN07SLS.XLS FEB07SLS.XLS MAR07SLS.XLS APR07SLS.XLS MAY07SLS.XLS JUN07SLS.XLS JUL07SLS.XLS AUG07SLS.XLS SEP07SLS.XLS OCT07SLS.XLS NOV07SLS.XLS DEC07SLS.XLS