Basic Computer Application Microsoft DOS
instruction is given. External commands run slower
MS-DOS (Disk Operating System)
DOS stands for Disk Operating System. It is
developed by Microsoft Corporation in USA. It is a
powerful single user, non-graphical command
oriented (CUI) operating system. It provides the
interface between the user and system. As soon as
we boot the machine, DOS controls every parts of
system such as device control, processing files etc.
To open Ms-DOS
1. Click Start button.
2. Click Run.
3. Type cmd or command in displayed dialog box.
4. Click Ok button.
(Note: Press Alt+\enter to view the screen in full
screen)
What is a Command?
A Command is a set of instructions used to
perform a specific work.
Types of Command
a. Internal Command:- Those commands which are
already loaded in the command.Com files when
switching to the MS-DOS. Whenever you give an
internal command, it runs immediately.
Eg. : - CLS, DIR, VER, DEL etc.
b. External Command:-
Those commands which are executed from out of
command files that are loaded in RAM when the
Basic Computer Application  
then internal command.
Eg. :-CHKDSK, DISKCOPY, FORMAT, LABEL
What is a Directory?
A directory is a catalog of files and sub-directories
used to manage the files/subdirectories. It provides
logical place to organize the contents kept in it.
1. Root directory:- The drives or directories in
which we have been working is root directory.
e.g.:- A:\ (For floppy disk drive)
C:\ (For hard disk drive)
2. Current Directory:- Current directory is that
directory in which you are currently working.
Example:- C:\>sita>
Where sita is current directory.
3. Parent directory:- Parent directory is that
directory which is one level up of the current
directory.
e.g. :- C:\ram\sita>
Where Ram is parent directory.
File:- A file is a collection of related data and
information about a subject-matter.
File name:- It’s the name that we give to a file while
saving.
File extension:- It's a string of 3 characters
separated from filename with dot(.). This is used to
recognize the file in which format it is.
1  Surkhetonline Web services & IT Solution
 Basic Computer Application Microsoft DOS

View Files &

directories
Cursor:- The small blinking object on the screen at in wide
text editing region is cursor. This tells where the text wise
is being edited. View only
Wild Cards: - These are special characters which directories
represent any text or characters in the filenames. in current
These are * and ?. directory
Format: - It is the process of deleting all data from View only
the disk dr files in
current
Some Important Command Of directory
Close MS-DOS Z:\>exit 8 Key
DOS
View system date Z:\>date 8 Key
If you wantDo this View system time Z:\>time 8 Key
to View volume label Z:\>label 8 Key twice
Open MS-Click Start button View volume label &Z:\>vol 8 Key.
DOS Go to programs serial number
Go to accessories Get help in DOS Z:\>command/? 8 Key
Click MS DOS prompt Make a directory Z:\>md_dirname 8 Key
View Files & Z:\>dir 8 Key
directories Z:\>dir/p 8 Key
in currentZ:\>dir/w 8 Key
Copy a file Z:\>copy_source_destina
directory Z:\>dir/ad 8 Key
tion 8
View Files &Z:\>dir/a-d 8 Key etc.
directories Move a file orZ:\>move_source_destin
in page directory ation 8
wise

Basic Computer Application   2  Surkhetonline Web services & IT Solution
 Basic Computer Application Microsoft DOS

Copy a directoryZ:\>xcopy/s/e_source_de List all hidden files Z:\>dir/as 8

and all contents stination 8
format your floppy Z:\>format_A: 8 Create a bat file Z:\>copy_con_filename.b
Z:\>format_A:/s 8 at
Z:\>format_A:/q 8 Type command list.
List all files withZ:\>dir_*.* 8 - C:\Program
all names & all Files\Microsoft
extensions Office\Office10\Winwor
List all files withZ:\>dir_*.doc 8 d.Exe
all names - Press f6 or Ctrl+z for
with .doc save.
extension. Get into directory Z:\>cd_dirname 8 Key
List all files withZ:\>dir_*.txt 8
all names Be out of directory Z:\>cd.. 8 Key
with .txt
extension Switch to rootZ:\>cd\ 8 Key
List all files with 4Z:\>dir_????.* 8 directory
characters View sub-Z:\>tree_maindirname,
filename & all directories in Press
extensions tree view. 8 Key
Hide a file Z:\>attrib_+h_filename 8 Change RootZ:\>D: 8 Key
Directory into
Unhide a file Z:\>attrib_-h_fileneme 8 D:\>
Change RootZ:\>C: 8 Key
Apply read onlyZ:\>attrib_+r_filename 8 Directory into
attribute C:\>
Remove read onlyZ:\>attrib_-r_filename 8 Create and saveZ:\>copy_con_fname.ext,
attribute file. Press 8 key.

Basic Computer Application   3  Surkhetonline Web services & IT Solution
 Basic Computer Application Microsoft DOS

Type the contents of file

Press F6 or Ctrl+Z
(save)
Open a file. Z:\>type_fname 8 Key.

Edit a file. Z:\>edit_fname 8 Key.

Rename file Z:\>ren_old

filename_new
filename 8
Rename directory Z:\>ren_old
dirname_new
dirname 8
Delete file Z:\>del_file name 8

Delete directory Z:\>rd_directory name 8

~~~~~~~~ The End ~~~~~~~~

Basic Computer Application   4  Surkhetonline Web services & IT Solution