Internet E-Mail Workshop/Internet E-Mail Workshop.iso/tutorial/pc_learn/dos2.tut

Text File | 1993-08-16 | 19KB | 373 lines

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                             INTERMEDIATE DOS COMMANDS

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       Life gets more interesting the longer you stay in the game. The
       more you want to accomplish with a computer, the more you need
       additional DOS commands. However, let's take a side trip to
       the keyboard and study several powerful DOS shortcuts.

       The keyboard function keys labelled F1 through F10 access a
       special buffer storage area of DOS. Additional key combinations
       offer other shortcuts. Some keyboards have twelve function keys
       while others have the function keys arranged along the top of
       the keyboard rather than stacked along the side.

       The best way to understand how the function keys work is to
       pause and explain the concept of a keyboard buffer which is
       little more than a temporary storage area in the computer's
       memory. A buffer is necessary because the activities of input
       and output (using the keyboard or printer) are much slower than
       those activities which interact with the speedy RAM memory chips
       and CPU.

       Data from the keyboard is placed into a memory buffer area until
       you signal the PC that you are ready to move on to the next
       task. Usually this signal is the carriage return or enter key. A
       buffer storage area can vary in size. For the DOS command line
       buffer, up to 127 characters can be contained. When data is
       entered into the keyboard buffer is stays there until flushed
       out. DOS allows some limited repeating and editing of data
       stored in the buffer (data you previously typed at the keyboard)
       by use of the function keys.

                            The FUNCTION Keyboard:

       The following discussion applies to the function keys WHEN
       YOU ARE USING DOS! When you use an application such as your word
       processor or database program the function keys will probably
       have different uses!

       The function keys assume different roles for different programs.
       F1 through F5 have special meaning within DOS. They help in
       reissuing/editing the last DOS command typed.

       F1 Repeats one character per keystroke of the previous DOS command
       typed.

       F2 Repeats characters stored in the buffer up to the character
       you typed after pressing F2.

       F3 Repeats the entire LAST command. USEFUL! Repeat last command
       and edit it over again with other function keys or the backspace
       key.

       F4 Deletes all characters in the buffer up to the character you
       typed after F4. The buffer is not displayed. To see the buffer
       on screen tap F3.

       F5 Stores the current line for re-editing. F5 is used with the
       other four keys so you can repair long DOS commands which
       weren't typed in properly.  When you press F5 the current line
       will be marked and the cursor will move down one line WITHOUT a
       new prompt. Then use the other function keys to finish editing.

                               The main Keyboard

       Delete key deletes character on or to the right of the cursor

       Backspace key removes last character typed - to the left of
       cursor

       Insert key puts keyboard into insert mode

       Escape key voids current input and exits or escapes to previous
       settings

       PageUp key in many applications moves you up one screen of text

       PageDown key in many applications moves you down one screen of
       text

       Left and right arrow keys move cursor left and right without
       deleting

       Numlock key toggles (goes back and forth) between numbers on the
       numeric keypad and cursor control (functions such as page down,
       move cursor right, etc)

       Pressing two or more keys at the same time produces further
       results. You may hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and then
       press another key for a required result. Here are some two key
       combinations. Hold down the first key, then press the second:

       Shift-PrtSc prints one screen of data on your printer.

       Control-C or Control Break Aborts current DOS command. USEFUL!

       Control-H or backspace removes last character typed

       Control-P or Control-PrtSc sends output to printer until turned
       off by typing same key combination (Control P) a second time.
       Whatever appears on screen will be sent to printer until turned
       off with control P a second time. This is a little used, often
       forgetten and HIGHLY useful key combination!

       Control Numlock or Control S pauses screen output. Press any key
       to continue

       Control-Alt-Delete keys together shuts down computer and WIPES
       OUT all computer data!  This is also called a "warm boot"
       as compared to a cold boot (completely turning off computer,
       then turning back on again.) Either of these methods means that
       ALL DATA AND PROGRAMS LOST from RAM memory but whatever data
       stored on disk(s) remains.

       Other keys have special meanings and can be confused with their
       look-alike twins: the slash (/) and Backslash (\) are different
       but easily confused as are the apostrophe (') and grave accent (`),
       and also the capital O and Zero (0.)

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                       ADDITIONAL DOS COMMANDS AND METHODS

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       Now on to some of the more advanced DOS commands, files and
       methods which we continue from the previous DOS tutorial:

       -- AUTOEXEC.BAT -- is not a DOS command but a small text file
       which gives the user an automatic way to specify a precise
       series of DOS commands whenever the computer is started each
       day. Within AUTOEXEC.BAT you can specify system variables such
       as the PATH and PROMPT commands, load or start a menu system
       with a variety of program choices, load memory resident "TSR"
       programs such as a calculator or notepad, run other batch files
       or start one specific program such as your word processor every
       time the computer is turned on. You can create or modify an
       AUTOEXEC.BAT file with any word processor which saves text in
       ASCII (plain text) format. Additional comments and explanations
       about the AUTOEXEC.BAT file are provided in the batch file
       tutorial elsewhere within PC-Learn. Following is a listing of
       the contents within a sample AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Note that it is
       simply a series of DOS commands which will be given every time
       the computer is first turned on. This list of autoexec.bat
       comamnds are only a sample, there are other variations which
       might be more appropriate for your computer.

       echo off
       date
       time
       path \dos;\wp;\util;\doc;\bat
       prompt $P$G
       verify on
       mode bw80,r
       type menu

       -- CONFIG.SYS -- is not a DOS command, but a small text file
       which tells DOS the system setup information or "custom
       configuration" of your computer. Whenever additional hardware is
       added such as a tape drive, mouse, ram drive or other device,
       you will usually add a DEVICE command to the CONFIG.SYS file so
       that DOS can recognize the new hardware or software device.
       Performance can also be increased by adding other parameters to
       the CONFIG.SYS file such as the FILES and BUFFERS commands. On
       startup, CONFIG.SYS helps DOS determine the configuration of
       hardware, RAM memory, keyboard, ramdisk, hard drives and other
       "customizations" to your system and is usually stored in the
       root or main directory of your hard drive. The CONFIG.SYS file
       can be prepared or altered with your word processor operating in
       ASCII mode (plain text). You could also use the COPY CON command
       or any text editor such as Edlin to prepare a CONFIG.SYS file.
       Following is a listing of the contents within a sample CONFIG.SYS
       file:

       device=ansi.sys
       device=vdisk.sys
       buffers=20
       files=20

       -- MODE --  (External) is a command to setup the printer,
       display and communications outputs of your computer. Use mode
       when you have several printers or two or more monitors such as
       both color and monochrome.

       Example: A>mode CO80             (set display mode to color,80
                                        columns wide)

       Example: B>mode lpt1=com1        (set printer to com port number
                                        1)

       Example: A>mode com1:10,n,8,1,p  (set modem transmission
                                        settings)

       Example  B>mode bw80,r           (set monitor to b&w text, 80
                                        columns wide)

       -- MORE -- (External) causes the display to pause when reading a
       long file or directory. More is always combined with other DOS
       commands. See below for an example using the MORE command.

       -- REDIRECTION AND PIPING -- Are not DOS commands but powerful
       methods for sending information to or through other DOS
       utilities.

       Some commands, for example DIR, can use MORE, SORT and other DOS
       "filters" with a special vertical bar | in a method called
       "piping". Piping is best explained as "filtering" a DOS action
       through yet another DOS program or command.

       Example A>dir|more              (DIR listing is "piped" through
                                       MORE to pause after each
                                       screenful of information)
                                       Try it with a long listing!

       Example: B>type letter.txt|more   (the file letter.txt is "piped"
                                         through MORE)

       --  < and > -- are input/output symbols. They help DOS send and
       receive signals properly. You can redirect the output from or
       towards a particular device. For example if the output of a file
       normally goes to the screen you could redirect it with the >
       symbol to the printer. Or you could redirect the input for a DOS
       command from a file, rather than the keyboard so you would not
       have to answer a series of questions - the file would provide
       the keystrokes.

       Example: A>sort<letter.txt>letter.new    (sort letter.txt and
                                                output to a new file
                                                called letter.new)

       Example: B>dir>prn  (meaning produce a directory listing, but
       send the output to the printer, rather than the screen)

       Example: format b:<special.txt (format a floppy and accept input
       keystrokes from the file special.txt rather than input from the
       keyboard so you don't have to answer yes/no or pause)

       These piping and redirection methods are powerful and subtle.

       -- SORT -- (External) sorts data lists in alphabetical or
       reverse order. It is frequently used with redirection and piping
       methods to sort directories, lists of text or to output its
       actions into a new file or directly to the printer.

       Example: A>dir|sort    Example: sort<letter.doc>new.doc

       -- GRAPHICS -- (External) allows you to print the contents of a
       graphics display (e.g., a lotus graph on the screen) while using
       the SHIFT-PRTSC key combination mentioned earlier. Graphics mode
       software uses medium resolution CGA color displays or other
       graphics displays which will not print using the standard SHIFT-
       PRTSC key until the DOS graphics system has been loaded.
       Graphics is a memory resident program which uses some RAM
       memory. If a screen display will not print on your printer by
       tapping SHIFT-PRTSC, trying running graphics first then retry
       SHIFT-PRTSC.

       Example: A>graphics

       -- FIND -- (External) searches for words and phrases in a file.
       You cannot use wild cards (? and *). You must use quotes
       surrounding the phrase or word which is sought.

       Example: A>find "chocolate candy bars" letter.txt bones.wks

       (meaning: search for "chocolate candy bars" within the two
       files letter.txt and bones.wks then report any occurrences)

       -- ASSIGN -- (External) tells DOS to send disk requests for one
       drive to the other. Effectively renames your a drive the b drive
       and vice versa. Allows you to access only certain drives for
       security reasons (remote modem use, for example). By itself,
       assign simply restores the normal drive configurations and
       names. DISKCOPY and FORMAT commands ignore assign! Use of assign
       command is rare.

       Example: B>assign c=a

       -- PATH -- (Internal) tells DOS where to search for executable
       files in the subdirectories you specify. Allows simultaneous
       searching of many subdirectories at once. Path eliminates the
       need to search through many subdirectories manually. Frequently
       a PATH command is used in your autoexec.bat file when starting
       the computer. A path command is highly recommended for use with
       all hard drives and, as stated, is embedded within the
       AUTOEXEC.BAT file as a permanent command.

       Example: C>path \letters;\finance;\utils

       -- PROMPT -- (Internal) allows change of the DOS prompt - for
       example, the dull A> on screen. $P shows the active directory.
       $G shows the > symbol. This can be set in the main autoexec.bat
       file to initialize the prompt every time you start your
       computer. With the proper commands you can dramatically change
       your prompt to even display words, pictures or phrases rather
       than a typical C>

       See batch file tutorial covered later.

       Example: A>prompt $P$G.   (result is:    a:\>   )

       -- TREE -- (External) shows the structure of the subdirectories
       on your disk. You can check the arrangement of the root (main)
       and all subdirectories. Tree/f shows all file names.

       Example: B>tree/f

       -- ATTRIB -- (External) allows a file to be set as "read only"
       (non-erasable). Attrib +r marks for read only. Attrib -r removes
       this. Protects files from modification or removal. Attrib alone
       displays file attributes. A small r appears to the left of a
       files directory listing if that file is read only (protected).
       Only available in DOS 3.0 and later.

       Example: A>attrib +r letters.doc

       -- BACKUP & RESTORE -- (External) used to making spare copies
       (backups) of hard disk data. Copies groups of files to floppies.
       Restore reverses the process and puts the files from floppies to
       hard disk. Backup/m copies only files modified since the last
       backup. Backup/s copies all subdirectories and their files.
       Backup/d copies files modified after the date you specify.
       Backup/a adds files to a disk that already contains other files.
       Files copied to floppies with backup can't be used (they are
       "encoded") until they are restored ("unencoded"). Restore/s puts
       back all subdirectory files.

       Example: A>backup c:\*.* a:/s

       Example: C>restore a:\*.* c:/s

       -- EDLIN -- (External) is a small word processor/text editor
       which prepares text files. DOS version 5.0 uses an upgraded
       text editor called EDIT which is easier to use the Edlin.

       Edlin's output is ASCII (plain text). Edlin is rudimentary and
       provides editing line by line. Other word processors and text
       editors can output ASCII files more quickly and easily, but
       Edlin is good for short jobs such as preparing batch files. The
       COPY CON command (discussed earlier) will do the job also. The
       entire list of Edlin commands is detailed in your DOS manual.

       Example: A>edlin go.bat  (starts Edlin and loads the file go.bat)

       -- RAMDRIVE.SYS -- (used in MS-DOS, see below) (External)

       -- VDISK.SYS --  (used in PC-DOS, see below) (External)

       Both of the above files are equivalent "ramdisks" which allow you
       to construct an artificial software disk drive in RAM computer
       memory. It is very fast and is also known as a virtual disk.
       RAMDRIVE.SYS or VDISK.SYS is usually placed in the CONFIG.SYS
       file via the DEVICE command. RAMDRIVE.SYS or VDISK.SYS is
       available in DOS 3.0 and later. DOS 2.0 users can use
       alternative "add in" RAMDISK utilities to produce the same
       result. Within the CONFIG.SYS file the following statement might
       appear for users of this device:

       Example: device=vdisk.sys 128    (sets up a ramdisk of 128,000
                                        bytes in size)


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