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Unit IV
Disk operating System
Introduction to Microsoft DOS and Windows Command Line
Short for Microsoft Disk Operating System, MS-DOS is a non-graphical command line operating system
derived from 86-DOS that was created for IBM compatible computers. MS-DOS originally written by Tim
Paterson and introduced by Microsoft in August 1981 and was last updated in 1994 when MS-DOS 6.22 was
released. MS-DOS allows the user to navigate, open, and otherwise manipulate files on their computer from
a command line instead of a GUI like Windows.
Ms- DOS is an operating system. An operating system is collection of system programs, used for
controlling input/output operation. It is also known as interface between hardware and user. A operating
system may be considered as the language translator which converts the users readable codes into machine
readable codes, means machine level language or binary digits.
When we start MS-DOS, we get a symbol on the screen like this
C:\>
This symbol is known as C drive or C-prompt. Similarly A:\> is called A-prompt or A drive. Generally A:\
is used as floppy drive i.e. when we are working on floppy disk and C:\ is used for local disk or hard disk. A
small blinking bar we see on the screen. This is cursor. It is waiting for your instruction. There few
predefined words for DOS. These are known as DOS-Commands. Our operating system can understand only
these predefined commands.
These DOS-Commands are divided into two parts.
1. Internal Commands
2. External Commands
Before we go on detail in these commands, let first we understand a term called File and Directory. A
file may be known as container of information on a particular topic. A directory may be considered as a
structure or a cabinet which keeps one or more files. Directories are usually creates for keeping one or more
identical files together. Every file have a filename which helps to recognize them these are divided into two
parts File name & Extension
Internal Commands
These commands are automatic loaded into the memory when operating system is loaded into the
memory. Thus these are also called memory-resident commands. The command available is all combined
together and are stored in Command.com file, which is a executable command file. These internal command
are further grouped according to their properties. These are as follows.
General
purpose
1. CLS
2. DIR
3. VER
4. VOL
5. DATE
6. TIME
File
related
commands
7. COPY
CON
8. TYPE
9. COPY
10. REN
11. DEL
Directory
commands
12. MD
13. CD
14. RD
related
GENERAL PURPOSE COMMANDS
1. CLS: - (Clear the screen) This command is used to clear the screen or wipe out every thing
written on the screen.
Syntax: - C :\> CLS and press enter
2. DIR: - (Directory) Dir command is used for listing files and directories present in the current disk.
Syntax: - C:\> DIR [/switches]
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Example: - C:\> DIR /P
/P
Page wise
/W
Widths wise
/S
List all files and directory of subdirectories
/AH
Display directory with hidden files
/AS
Display directory with system files
/AD
Display only directories present in current drive
3. VER:-(Version) Version numbers indicates that which edition of DOS we are working on.
Syntax:- C:\> VER press enter
Output:C:\>VER
Windows ……[Version 4.10.2222]
4. VOL:-(Volume) Displays the disk volume label and serial number, if it exist.
Syntax:- C:\> VOL press enter
Output:-C:\>VOL
Volume in drive C is JAI
Volume Serial Number is 3E42-1907
5. DATE:- Display the current Date
Syntax:- C:\> DATE
C:\>DATE
Current date is Fri 02-15-2002
Enter new date (mm-dd-yy):
Type DATE without parameters to display the current date setting and
a prompt for a new one. Press ENTER to keep the same date.
Note:- We enter new date in the format of MM-DD-YY.
6. TIME:- Display current time
Syntax:- C:\> TIME
C:\>TIME
Current time is 8:38:47.70a
Enter new time:
Type TIME with no parameters to display the current time setting and a prompt for a new one.
Press ENTER to keep the same time.
Note:- We enter the time in the format of 24 hour clock.
File related commands
7. COPY CON:- This command gives the facility to create a new text file.
Syntax:- C:\> COPY CON <Filename>
C:\>COPY CON Rose.txt
A clock in a office can never get stolen
Too many employees watch it all the time
^Z
1 file(s) copied
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After copy con we must specify a suitable file name. Press enter. Start typing the
informations of the file. After gathering the information we press ^Z (CTRL+Z) button or F6
button to save the file. After pressing enter key computer will show a message like 1 file(s)
copied. This means that file is stored in the disk. Suppose we don't want to save the file or we
just want to abort from file creation job, then we simply press ^C (CTRL+C) button to abort
without saving the file, intend of pressing ^Z button.
Notes:- 1. Never forget to give a suitable filename
2. You can use extension as .TXT for denoting the file as Text file.
8. TYPE:- This command is used to display the contents or text of any file to the display device.
Syntax:- C:\> TYPE <Filename>
A:\>TYPE GULAB.TXT
A clock in a office can never get stolen
Too many employees watch it all the time
9. COPY :- Copy command is used for copy any file to another location or to copy the files to
another directory. This command may also be used for copying any file to another disk with
different file name.
Syntax:- C:\> COPY <Source filename> <Target file name>
C:\>COPY ROSE.TXT ROSE.MSG
1 file(s) copied
TO copy a file from hard disk to floppy disk
C:\>COPY Rose.txt A:
1 file(s) copied
To copy a file from Floppy Disk to Hard disk
A:\>COPY LOTUS.TXT C:\
1 file(s) copied
10. REN:- (Rename) This command is used to change the name of any file or directory.
Syntax:- C:\> REN <Source filename> <Target filename>
C:\>REN ROSE.TXT GULBAL.TXT
If we get successfully C:\ that means filename or directory name is get changed. Either it will
show the error message.
To changing the filename present in floppy disk
C:\>REN A:\ROSE.TXT GULAB.TXT
Note that you cannot specify a new drive or path for your destination.
11. DEL:- This command is used for erasing any file from the disk.
Syntax:- C:\> DEL <Filename>
C:\>DEL LOTUS.TXT
If it successfully erase the file from dosk then C:\> prompt will be appear, either computer
will show an error message.
Note:- /P option is used for permission before deleting the file.
Directory related commands
12. MD:- (Make Directory)- This command allows to create a new directory.
Syntax:- C:\> MD <Dirname>
C:\> MD REPORT
C:\>
Now this directory can be used for keeping various sort of reports. Under this directory we
can create another directory which is known as subdirectory.
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13. CD:- (Change Directory):- We can enter or exit from any directory using this command.
Syntax:- To access any directory
C:\> CD <Directory name>
C:\> CD REPORT
C:\REPORT>
Prompt will change with the directory name. If we keep two dots after CD command than
we will exit from the directory.
Syntax:-C:\> CD..
C:\REPORT> CD..
C:\>
14. RD:-(
Remove directory):- This command is used when we want to remove any unusable directory
form our disk.
Syntax:- C:\> RD <Directory name>
C:\> RD REPORT
5. PATH:This command is used for display or sets directories for executable files.
Synatx:- C:\> PATH
This command display current path settings.
C:\> PATH=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\WINDOWS\;C:\TC
this command will sets the directories windows, the command subfolder of windows and TC
folder for executable files. Operating system will look for executable files in these
directories.
NOTE:- If we need any help for above DOS commands the we put a '/?' symbol after writting
the command at DOS prompt .
Example:- C:\> DIR/? or C:\> COPY/?
Wild card commands
Wildcard commands are used when we are working with multiple files instant of a single file at a
time. These commands uses '?' and '*' symbol.
The '?' wildcard character
Suppose we want to list out all the files and directories which have primary file name made of four
characters and secondary name made of 3 characters. then here we use DIR command with
following switches
C:\> DIR ????.???
Here a '?' symbol represent that ? can be a any character or it may be special symbols.
Suppose we want to list out all the files which primary field name made of 4 characters, the first
character start with 'C' and secondary name is 'EXE'. Then we uses
C:\> DIR C???.EXE
The '*' wildcard character
If we want to list all the files with extension .EXE the the command we give isC:\> DIR *.EXE
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If we want to display all files with first character 'D' and extension 'EXE' in floppy disk, then we give
the command
C:\> DIR A: D*.EXE
Some Internal commands with wild card
1. COPY:-If we have to copy the songs from our CD drive to our Hard disk. Then we suppose E:\ is our
CD drive and we have to store all the songs in C:\ SONGS directory.
C:\> COPY E:\ *.MP3 C:\ SONGS
2. REN:- If we want to rename all the files which have extension of 'TXT' to extension 'MSG' then we
give the command
C:\> REN *.TXT *.MSG
3. DEL:- If we want to erase those files which have the extension of 'TMP' from our disk then we uses
the command
C:\> DEL *.TMP
If we use /p switch the computer give ask every time before deleting the file. If we enter 'Y' the it will
erase the file from disk either it will leave the file.
External commands
External commands are known as Disk residence commands. Because they can be store with DOS
directory or any disk which is used for getting these commands. Theses commands help to perform
some specific task. These are stored in a secondary storage device. Some important external
commands are given belowMORE MOVE
FIND
DOSKEY
MEM
FC
DISKCOPY FORMAT
SYS
CHKDSK ATTRIB
XCOPY SORT
LABEL
1. MORE:-Using TYPE command we can see the content of any file. But if length of file is greater than
25 lines then remaining lines will overcome through this problem we uses MORE command. Using
this command we can pause the display after each 25 lines.
Syntax:- C:\> TYPE <File name> | MORE
C:\> TYPE ROSE.TXT | MORE
or
C:\> DIR | MORE
2. MEM:-This command displays free and used amount of memory in the computer.
Syntax:- C:\> MEM
the computer will display the amount of memory.
3. SYS:- This command is used for copy system files to any disk. The disk having system files are known
as Bootable Disk, which are used for booting the computer.
Syntax:- C:\> SYS [Drive name]
C:\> SYS A:
System files transferred
This command will transfer the three main system files COMMAND.COM, IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS
to the floppy disk.
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4. XCOPY:- When we need to copy a directory instant of a file from one location to another the we
uses xcopy command. This command is much faster than copy command.
Syntax:- C:\> XCOPY < Source dirname > <Target dirname>
C:\> XCOPY TC TURBOC
5. MOVE:- Move command is used for moving one file or multiple files from one location to another
location or from one disk to another disk.
Syntax:- C:\> MOVE <file name> <path name>
C:\SONGS> C:\ MOVE *.MP3 SONGS\OLD SONGS\
C:\>
6. FC:-(File Compare) This command is capable for comparing two set of files and display difference
between two files.
Syntax:- C:\> FC <First set of file> <Second set of file>
C:\> FC ROSE.TXT GULAB.TXT
7. CHKDSK:-(Check disk) - This command is used to check the status of a disk and show the report of
result status.
Syntax:- C:\> CHKDSK
C:\>CHKDSK
CHKDSK has NOT checked this drive for errors.
You must use SCANDISK to detect and fix errors on this drive.
Volume JAI created 10-19-2001 7:14p
Volume Serial Number is 3E42-1907
4,203,073,536 bytes total disk space
381,988,864 bytes available on disk
4,096 bytes in each allocation unit
1,026,141 total allocation units on disk
93,259 available allocation units on disk
651,264 total bytes memory
610,784 bytes free
Instead of using CHKDSK, try using SCANDISK. SCANDISK can
reliably detect
and fix a much wider range of disk problems.
8. SORT:- This command is useful when we want to sort a file. When we run this command the result
can be get to display device or file.
Syntax:- C:\> SORT /R < Input file name> <output file name>
Suppose we have a file Player.txt which having the list of a cricket player team and we want to sort
the list of players, then we uses this command
C:\> SORT Player.txt
If we not specify the output file name then result will show to the screen.
/R- switch is used for sorting the file in descending order like from Z to A or from 9 to 0.
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9. FIND:- The FIND command is used to search a file for a text string.
Syntax:- C:\> FIND "String to search" <File name>
C:\TEST>find "office" gulab.txt
---------- gulab.txt
A clock in a office can never get stolen
10. DISKCOPY:- DISKCOPY copies the contents of a floppy disk to another.
Syntax:- C:\> DISKCOPY <Drive1> <Drive2>
C:\> DISKCOPY A: B:
This command will be copy all contents of A drive to B drive.
11. ATTRIB:- Sets the various type of attribute to a file. Like Read only, Archive, Hidden and System
attribute.
Syntax:- C:\> ATTRIB [± r] [± a] [± h] [± s] <File name>
here r - for read only, a- for archive, h - for hidden, s - for hidden attribute.
C:\> ATTRIB +r Gulab.txt
This command will change the attribute of file gulab.txt to read only mode. To remove the read only
attribute we will follow this command.
C:\> ATTRIB -r Gulab.txt
12. LABEL:- If you are not happy with the volume label of hard disk, you can change it.
Syntax:- C:\> LABEL
C:\>LABEL
Volume in drive C is JAI
Volume Serial Number is 3E42-1907
Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)? INFOWAY
13. DOSKEY:- Once we install doskey , our dos will star to memorize all commands we uses. We can
recall those commands using up or down arrow keys. It also gives the facility to create macros,
which creates a short key for long keyword or command.
Key function for Doskey are given asUP,DOWN
arrows recall commands
Esc
clears current command
F7
displays command history
Alt+F7
clears command history
F9
selects a command by number
Alt+F10
clears macro definitions
Syntax:- C:\> DOSKEY
DOSKey installed
Creating Macros:C:\>doskey t=time
C:\>t
C:\>time
Current time is 3:39:05.97p
Enter new time:
To list out all macros defined just type DOSKEY/MACROS at dos prompt and press enter.
C:\>DOSKEY/MACROS
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$D=date
T=time
14. FORMAT:- This command creates new Track & Sectors in a disk. Every
Syntax:- C:\> FORMAT [drive name] [/S]
C:\> FORMAT A:
this command will create new track & sectors.
C:\> FORMAT A: /S
This command will transfer system files after formatting the disk.
Edit
Edit is an external way to create or modify any file. Edit meant Editor is very
good utility for creating or modifying any file.
To start Edit type Edit on dos prompt and press enter. Then a full
screen window will appear like thisFile label displays the current file name which is open in the current
window. If file name is not specified then Untitled will be show.A menu bar
contains various commands.
What is Booting? Type of Booting
Booting: When we start our Computer then there is an operation which is performed automatically by the
Computer which is also called as Booting. In the Booting, System will check all the hardware’s and
Software’s those are installed or Attached with the System and this will also load all the Files those are
needed for running a system.
In the Booting Process all the Files those are Stored into the ROM Chip will also be Loaded for
Running the System. In the Booting Process the System will read all the information from the Files those are
Stored into the ROM Chip and the ROM chip will read all the instructions those are Stored into these Files.
After the Booting of the System this will automatically display all the information on the System. The
Instructions those are necessary to Start the System will be read at the Time of Booting.
Note: Booting is a process where your computer can be initialized. This process includes all the
components of your hardware initializing on your PC and get them to work simultaneously and the
standard operating system that your work will make the computer load.
There are two Types of Booting
1) Warm Booting: when the System Starts from the Starting or from initial State Means when we
Starts our System this is called as warm Booting. In the Warm Booting the System will be Started
from its beginning State means first of all, the user will press the Power Button , then this will read
all the instructions from the ROM and the Operating System will b Automatically gets loaded into
the System.
Note : Cold Booting :If we shut down the computer completely and properly, after a while it starts again on
the computer is known as a cold start or cold booting
1. Cold Booting : The Cold Booting is that in which System Automatically Starts when we are Running
the System, For Example due to Light Fluctuation the system will Automatically Restarts So that in
this Chances Damaging of system are More and the System will no be start from its initial State So
May Some Files will b Damaged because they are not Properly Stored into the System.
Note: Warm booting: If we take the computer to restart from the restart button or a key by simply
pushing it so Ctrl + Alt + Del is called a warm start or warm booting.
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Q What are the Minimum Requirement of Booting.
The Minimum requirements for booting to start, we need at least three files
1) ms_dos.sys
2) IO.SYS
3) Command.com
In both files the ms_dos.sys file is a hidden file and the Command.com is a regular file.
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