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The ms-dos command format – Epson LT - 286e User Manual

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The MS-DOS Command Format

To enter an MS-DOS command, you need to type the

command in the correct format. The MS-DOS command

format consists of the command name, parameters, and delimiters.

The command name tells MS-DOS the task you want to

perform. Parameters are items that identify the data you want to

process (such as a filename) and change the way a command

works. Delimiters are characters such as spaces or commas that

separate command names and parameters.

Some commands also have optional switches you can use.

A switch is a type of parameter that alters the effect of a

command.

Pathnames may be required in a command if you are specifying

files that are not on the current drive or directory. A pathname

tells MS-DOS where to find a file, and consists of one or more

directory names separated by backslashes. See “Using

Pathnames,” later in this chapter.

There are two kinds of MS-DOS commands: internal and

external. Internal commands are commands that are built into

MS-DOS and can be used any time MS-DOS is loaded into

memory. External commands are stored on your system diskettes

as program files. To run an external command, MS-DOS must

be able to locate the file on a system diskette or on your hard

disk. If the file is not stored in the current drive and directory,

you may need to use a pathname when you enter an external

command.

See your MS-DOS manuals for more information on the

command format and for a detailed description of each

command.

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Using MS-DOS With Your Computer