Copyright © 2007 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

PC Fundamentals

Presentation 10 Presentation 10 –– Using the Command Using the Command LineLine

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ObjectivesObjectives

At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

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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.

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Definition: DOSDefinition: 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

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What’s it called?What’s it called?MS-DOS Prompt

DOS Prompt

Command Line

Command Prompt

Command-Line Interface

“DOS”

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C:\>_______

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Graphical Interface Commands

MouseClicksMouseClicks

Translate mouse

clicks into commands

Command Line

InputCommand Line

Input

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Why use the Command Line?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.

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Unique Command Line CommandsUnique Command Line Commands

at

convert

cacls

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Getting to the Command Line in an Getting to the Command Line in an operational PC.operational PC.

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The Command Prompt WindowThe Command Prompt Window

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Getting to the Command Line in a Getting to the Command Line in a faulty PC.faulty PC.

Boot the PC Boot the PC from a CD or from a CD or floppy that floppy that contains a contains a Command Command Interpreter.Interpreter.

Internal vs. External CommandsInternal vs. External Commands

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Internal CommandsInternal CommandsBuilt 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.

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External CommandsExternal 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.

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SyntaxSyntax

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.

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Commands have three Parts:Commands have three Parts:

KeywordKeyword ParameterParameter SwitchSwitch

Optional

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Keyword - What action to perform.

Parameter - What is acted upon.

Switches - How to perform the action.

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KeywordKeyword

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.

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ParameterParameter

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.

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SwitchesSwitches

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).

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Two Common Forms of Commands:Two Common Forms of Commands:

KeywordKeyword Drive/FilesDrive/Files SwitchesSwitches

Or

KeywordKeyword Source FilesSource Files SwitchesSwitchesTarget FilesTarget Files

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DEL SALES07.DOCDEL SALES07.DOC

Keyword File

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DEL A:\SALES07.DOCDEL A:\SALES07.DOC

Keyword File

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COPY FILE13.TXT A:COPY FILE13.TXT A:

Keyword

SourceTarget

orDestination

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COPY FILE13.TXT A:COPY FILE13.TXT A:

Space Space

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COPY FILE13.TXT A: /VCOPY FILE13.TXT A: /V

Keyword

SourceTarget

orDestination

Switch

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Backslash Vs. Forward SlashBackslash 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:You Inadvertently Type:copyfile13copyfile13

Command Line Replies:Command Line Replies:‘copyfile13’ is not recognized as an internal ‘copyfile13’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or or external command, operable program or

batch file.batch file.

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Getting Help.Getting Help.

Type HELP followed by the command you want to know about.

Type the command and then follow it with

the switch /?.

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Wild CardsWild Cards

AA

A?

??

***

*

A

A

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Wild card for a single character.Wild card for a single character.

?

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The file name: FILE? Can The file name: FILE? Can represent:represent:

FILE1FILE2FILE3FILE4FILE5...

FILEAFILEBFILECFILEDFILEE...

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JAN07SLS.XLSFEB07SLS.XLSMAR07SLS.XLSAPR07SLS.XLSMAY07SLS.XLSJUN07SLS.XLSJUL07SLS.XLSAUG07SLS.XLSSEP07SLS.XLSOCT07SLS.XLSNOV07SLS.XLSDEC07SLS.XLS

JAN06SLS.XLSFEB06SLS.XLSMAR06SLS.XLSAPR06SLS.XLSMAY06SLS.XLSJUN06SLS.XLSJUL06SLS.XLSAUG06SLS.XLSSEP06SLS.XLSOCT06SLS.XLSNOV06SLS.XLSDEC06SLS.XLS

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JAN0?SLS.XLS

JAN00SLS.XLSJAN01SLS.XLSJAN02SLS.XLSJAN03SLS.XLSJAN04SLS.XLSJAN05SLS.XLS

JAN06SLS.XLSJAN07SLS.XLS

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???07SLS.XLS

JAN07SLS.XLSFEB07SLS.XLSMAR07SLS.XLSAPR07SLS.XLSMAY07SLS.XLSJUN07SLS.XLS

JUL07SLS.XLSAUG07SLS.XLSSEP07SLS.XLSOCT07SLS.XLSNOV07SLS.XLSDEC07SLS.XLS

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Wild card for one to eight Wild card for one to eight characters.characters.

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????????.???

88 33

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JAN0*SLS.XLS

JAN00SLS.XLSJAN01SLS.XLSJAN02SLS.XLSJAN03SLS.XLSJAN04SLS.XLSJAN05SLS.XLS

JAN06SLS.XLSJAN07SLS.XLS

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JAN07SLS.XLSFEB07SLS.XLSMAR07SLS.XLSAPR07SLS.XLSMAY07SLS.XLSJUN07SLS.XLS

JUL07SLS.XLSAUG07SLS.XLSSEP07SLS.XLSOCT07SLS.XLSNOV07SLS.XLSDEC07SLS.XLS

07SLS.XLS*

Copyright © 2007 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

PC Fundamentals

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