MD Command
Ques. What are internal and external commands in MS-DOS? Explain
Internal Commands:
These commands enter into the computer memory during computer
booting. These commands are not in the form of any file so neither they can be viewed nor can
be edited or detected. For example: MD, CD, DATE, TIME, COPY CON, and TYPE etc.
External Commands:
These commands are stored in the computer list in the form of files. These
commands can be viewed, copied, changed or deleted. For Example: FORMAT, COPY, PRINT,
SYS, EDIT, TREE, SORT, PROMPT etc.
Important Internal DOS Commands :
a) MD (Make Directory): We use this commands to make a new directory or sub directory.
Syntax: C\:>MD DIRECTORY NAME
Example: MD STUDENT
CD Command
RD Command
b) CD (Change Directory) : This commands is used to move from one directory to another.
Syntax: C :\> CD Directory name
Example: CD Student
Exit to Directory:
c) CD.. The command move the subdirectory to parent directory.
d) CD\ The command is used to move directly to the root directory.
e) RD (Remove Directory) : If a Directory which was earlier is not required than such
directory can be removed by using
Syntax: C :\> RD Directory name
Example: >RD student
COPY CON and DIR Command
f) Copy con: Its command is used to create a file. The name of the file, which is to be created ,
is written after the copy Con leaving one space in between
Syntax: Copy Con file name
To created a file, the following steps are :
a) Type Copy Con BPT and press Enter.
b) Type whatever is to be type in the file.
c) Press F6 function key or CTRL +Z keys ‘?Z’ will be displayed on the screen, which I
indicates that the file is complete.
d) Press Enter and that the the DOS will save the file and will display the message ‘1
File(s) copied.
g) DIR: This command is used to display of directory and files.
Syntax: C:\> DIR ?
CLS Command
h) CLS: This command is used to clear the screen.
Syntax: C:\> CLS
Important External Commands
A MS-DOS command that is not included in command.com. External Commands are commonly
external either because they require large requirements or are not commonly used commands.
Below are examples of MS-DOS and Windows commands line external commands currently
listed in the Computer Hope Database.
ATTRIB
ATTRIB is an external command. It is used to set or reset the attributes of file/files. In MMS-
DOS there are various sets of attributes, viz + r, -r and +a, -a, +h, -h, +s, -s, the main use of this
file is to make a file “read only” which prevents the file from change of contents. The detail is an
under:
+r sets and only attributes of a file.
-r sets read-write attribute of a file.
+a sets the archive attributes of a file.
-a clears the archive attributes of a file.
+h to hide the file.
-h to unhide a hidden file.
+s to set for system file.
-s to reset for system file.
Its general format is
ATTRIB[+r][-r][+a][-a][+h][-h][+s][-s][drive:] pathname
XCOPY
It is an external DOS command which copies files and directories from source disk to target disk.
This command can be used in various ways which are as under :
The general format is
XCOPY [source drive :] [path] [filename] [destination drive :] [path] [filename]
BACKUP
It is an external command. This command backs up one or more files from one disk to another.
This command can also bakup the files of hard disk on to floppy.
General Format :
BACKUP [source drive] [pathname] [destination drive][/a] [/a] [/t] [d:date] [t:time] [r:filename]
LABEL
This command is used to create, change or delete volume label of a disk.
The general format is :
LABEL [drive] [label name]
EDIT
This is a DOS text editor included with DOS 5 and onward. EDIT requires that you have
QBASIC in the same directory or in the PATH. It is a line editor you can move the cursor
throughout the next by using arrow keys and can make necessary changes.
C:\EDIT myfile.txt
