Section 3 Introduction

Section 3 Preparing and Examining Disks

INTRODUCTION

This section guides you through the commands used to prepare and examine disks. The commands presented includes:

FORMAT Used to prepare a disk for use with DOS and/or files.

SYS Used to transfer DOS to a formatted disk.

VOL Used to display a disk volume label.

LABEL Used to display or change a disk volume label.

DIR Display a list of filename on the designated disk or directory.

CHKDSK Checks available disk space and displays memory.

MEM Displays total available memory type.

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Making, Changing, and Removing Directories

You used the DIR (directory) command in Section 3 to display a list of filenames on the screen. You can create and name multiple disk directories on a disk to allow for the subdivision of your files. This feature lets you group common files into separate directories. This is similar to subdividing information into file cabinet drawers and file folders. This is particularly convenient when you use a fixed disk containing hundreds or even thousands of files. Instead of listing all files in one directory, you can list files in smaller, more manageable sub directories. Lock at the following directory commands. Command Purpose MKDIR or MD Make a new directory ...

Filenames

It is important to understand DOS file naming conventions and their use. Here, filenames and some special filename "tools" called wild cards and literals are described. What is a File name? Every program and data file is given a name to differentiate it from other programs and data files. A program is one or more computer instructions collected into a file. A data file is normally a collection of characters (or data) that make up a document, like a letter, or a database, like a collection of accounting transactions or customer records. Descriptive filenames are normally used. For example, if you create and save a letter to Mom, you might give it the filename MOM.LTR. A letter to Dad could be called DAD.LTR. A word processing program file might have the filename WP.COM. Examine these filenames a little closer. First, notice that each filename is meaningful. This is important if you want to know what is in a file by looking at its name. Obscure filenames are of little u...

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