What You Should Know

As a minimum, you should be familiar with computer connection and turn-on procedures. If you have a printer, you should know how to connect it your computer, set switches, and load paper and ribbons. You should also be familiar with your system's monitor type, keyboard, available memory, and storage subsystem. In particular, you should check the versions of DOS you are using. Many commands have been added in recent DOS releases. If you have an old version, such as 2.01, some commands may not be available for your use. However, with only a few exceptions, this blog describes the basic set of DOS commands available to most DOS versions beginning with DOS versions 2.01. Commands introduced in later versions of DOS are identified for you.

Finally, you should be familiar with your keyboard. If you are not fully familiar with your keyboard, read the descriptive information and compare it to your keyboard.

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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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