Microsoft DOS
DOS or Disk Operating System was one of the first operating systems written for the IBM compatible personal computers. Although others existed, DOS was the first one that became heavily available to the general public.
Originally created by International Business Machines (IBM), it was purchased by our good friend Bill Gates of Microsoft for a few thousand dollars.
Unlike the operating systems of today (i.e. Windows 98) with their easy to use, user-friendly feel, DOS is rather primitive.
In order to use DOS, you first had to master a series of keyboard commands, simply meaning, you had to type what you wanted it to do. However, once you learned these commands it was relatively easy to use.
How Do I?
Display the pathname of the current directory
Type the letters CD and press enter and you will see the name of the current directory
Copy or duplicate a file
C> COPY C:\DIR\SUBDIRECTORY\FILE A:\
C is the source drive or where you are copying. Copy is the DOS command. C:\DIR\SUBDIRECTORY\FILE is the path where the file is located and A:\ is the destination directory in this case the floppy drive (usually A:\)
Copy a group of files
At the DOS prompt type COPY *.DOC A:
The asterisk “*” is what’s considered a wildcard and will tell DOS to copy all files in the sources directory that end in an. DOC.
Delete a file
To delete a single file, use the CD command and then type in the path of the file you want to delete. The type the command DEL followed by a space and then the file name.
Format a floppy diskette in you A:\ drive
Type the command "FORMAT A:" (without the quotes)
List all file in the directory you are in
Back to the Microsoft Windows Tips Start PageType the command "DIR" (without the quotes)
