Copyright © 2007 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved PC Fundamentals Presentation 10 – Using the Command Line

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

3 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.

4 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

5 What’s it called? MS-DOS Prompt DOS Prompt Command Line Command Prompt Command-Line Interface “DOS”

6 C:\> _______

7 Graphical Interface Commands Mouse Clicks Mouse Clicks Translate mouse clicks into commands Command Line Input

8 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.

9 Unique Command Line Commands at convert cacls

10 Getting to the Command Line in an operational PC.

11 The Command Prompt Window

12 Getting to the Command Line in a faulty PC. Boot the PC from a CD or floppy that contains a Command Interpreter.

Internal vs. External Commands

14 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.

15 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.

16 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.

17 Commands have three Parts: Keyword Parameter Switch Optional

18 Keyword - What action to perform. Parameter - What is acted upon. Switches - How to perform the action.

19 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.

20 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.

21 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).

22 Two Common Forms of Commands: Keyword Drive/Files Switches Or Keyword Source Files Switches Target Files

23 DEL SALES07.DOC Keyword File

24 DEL A:\SALES07.DOC Keyword File

25 COPY FILE13.TXT A: Keyword Source Target or Destination

26 COPY FILE13.TXT A: Space

27 COPY FILE13.TXT A: /V Keyword Source Target or Destination Switch

28 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.

30 Getting Help. Type HELP followed by the command you want to know about. Type the command and then follow it with the switch /?.

31 Wild Cards A A A ? ? ? * * * * A A

32 Wild card for a single character. ?

33 The file name: FILE? Can represent: FILE1 FILE2 FILE3 FILE4 FILE5... FILEA FILEB FILEC FILED FILEE...

34 JAN07SLS.XLS FEB07SLS.XLS MAR07SLS.XLS APR07SLS.XLS MAY07SLS.XLS JUN07SLS.XLS JUL07SLS.XLS AUG07SLS.XLS SEP07SLS.XLS OCT07SLS.XLS NOV07SLS.XLS DEC07SLS.XLS JAN06SLS.XLS FEB06SLS.XLS MAR06SLS.XLS APR06SLS.XLS MAY06SLS.XLS JUN06SLS.XLS JUL06SLS.XLS AUG06SLS.XLS SEP06SLS.XLS OCT06SLS.XLS NOV06SLS.XLS DEC06SLS.XLS

35 JAN0?SLS.XLS JAN00SLS.XLS JAN01SLS.XLS JAN02SLS.XLS JAN03SLS.XLS JAN04SLS.XLS JAN05SLS.XLS JAN06SLS.XLS JAN07SLS.XLS

36 ???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

37 Wild card for one to eight characters.

38

39 ????????.???

40 JAN0 * SLS.XLS JAN00SLS.XLS JAN01SLS.XLS JAN02SLS.XLS JAN03SLS.XLS JAN04SLS.XLS JAN05SLS.XLS JAN06SLS.XLS JAN07SLS.XLS

41 JAN07SLS.XLS FEB07SLS.XLS MAR07SLS.XLS APR07SLS.XLS MAY07SLS.XLS JUN07SLS.XLS JUL07SLS.XLS AUG07SLS.XLS SEP07SLS.XLS OCT07SLS.XLS NOV07SLS.XLS DEC07SLS.XLS 07SLS.XLS *

Copyright © 2007 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved PC Fundamentals End