Microsoft Disk Operating System (MSDOS)

1. Operating System:
Operating System is a set of programs that interface between the hardware and the
software and acts as a supervisor for proper working of each and every part of a computer. Every
computer needs an operating system and cannot run without one.
Example, Window XP, Window 7 etc.

2. MSDOS:
once an operating system is loaded in the computer memory, we can run various program
packages etc on the computer. The operating system developed in 1981 by a company Microsoft is
called MSDOS. The most popular operating system today was introduced Window XP, Window 7

3. Booting Process:
Whenever we switch on the computer, the BIOS file is stored in the ROM. The DOS on a
computer run, it should be the first program to be executed and checks all the devices of the
computer system. The MSDOS is loaded into RAM from hard disk. This process takes few seconds
of time after switching on the supply of the computer system. This process is called as booting of
the computer system.
The three systems files namely:

i. [Link]: It contains a program which helps in managing the input and output devices
connected to the computer system .It is hidden file.

ii. [Link]: This file contains the logic and routines for managing the data organization. It
is a hidden file. It is stored in the hard disk but it cannot be seen by the DIR Command.

iii. [Link]: It contains the internal DOS command which is permitted in whenever we
type any internal command at the user prompt, the computer looks into this file and execute
the command. It can be seen by using the DIR Command.
[Link]: These commands are invoked (call up) in sequence automatically
whenever the computer is switched on. The [Link] file invokes such command or
programs that we intend to invoke ourselves each time we start the computer.
[Link]: is AUTOMATICALLY EXECUTABLE BATCH FILE, it is the first file that
DOS runs after the computer have booted.
[Link]: When the computer switch on it set up the configuration of the computer
loaded file. This file stored the root directory of the computer hard disk and can modify as
per requirements.

Wildcards: Wildcards are symbols that enable you to perform an MS-DOS operation on
more than one file at a time.
 The symbol (*) represents any files as well as any extension.
 The symbol (?) represent any single character can be used instead of the symbol
where ? is placed.
E:\> DIR *.*

4. Rules for Naming files:

 The first name can have maximum 8 characters.
 The extension can have maximum 3 characters. The extension is optional. A file name
without any extension is also possible. Eg:. DAT, .EXE, .SYS and .BAK etc
 A dot (.) is placed between the first name and the extension.
 No free spaced between the first name and the extension.
 The first name must have minimum 1 character.
Example: [Link] AND [Link]
Command (CMD):

The [Link] is the command interpreter for MS-DOS and is required Microsoft's operating systems.
Without [Link] the computer running a Microsoft operating system would be unable to boot.

When running Windows NT, 2000, XP, or future operating systems there are two versions of the command
interpreter, [Link] and [Link]. Cmd offers additional environment variables than [Link];
however, it is recommended if you are attempting to run a MS-DOS utility that you utilize the
[Link]. To use [Link], click Start, Run, and type command.

 Information about creating a bootable diskette, which also requires [Link], can be found on
our boot diskette page.

Command, or [Link], is the command interpreter, and with early versions of Windows and MS-
DOS, you would not be able to use the computer without this file. This file is available on all versions of
Microsoft Windows and later versions of Windows use it to access the MS-DOS shell.

All Versions of MS-DOS

Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows XP

DOS PROMPT: whenever we switch on the computer, the booting process starts
automatically and following prompt appear on the screen.

C:\> C –current disk drive

\ - Root directory
> Prompt
- Cursor

5. MS-DOS Command line (prompt):

The Ms-DOS command line is the place where one can start typing in the commands. The
prompt may be a driver letter followed by a backslash or the name of the directory. There are two
kinds of DOS Commands:

 Internal Command:
The internal commands are loaded into memory when DOS is booted. Internal Commands
are always available for use, although they are not seen when one displays the disk directory of
filenames on the screen. Some internal commands are DIR, CLS, COPY, PROMPT etc.

How to start MSDOS:

 Click Start
 Click Run
 From open dialog box type CMD
 Click Ok.
 C:\Documents and settings\cipl\cd.. press enter
 C:\Documents and settings\cd.. press enter
 C:\Documents and settings\cipl\cd.. press enter
 C:\>E:
 E:
 I. MD (make directory): we can create subdirectories with the help of this command.
Example:

E:\> (Root Directory)

MYFILE GIMMY (Two sub directories)

E:\>MD MYFILE
E:\>MD GIMMY
E:\>DIR

Suppose we want to create two sub-directory with a name 123FILES, COBOL ETC….

E:\>MD WSFILES
E:\> CD WSFILES
E:\WSFILES>MD LETTERS
E:\WSFILES>CD LETTERS
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS>MD NOTES
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS>CD NOTES
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS\NOTES\MD QUESTIONS
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS\NOTES\CD QUESTIONS
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS\NOTES\QUESTIONS>CD..
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS\NOTES>CD..
E:\WSFILES\LETTERS>CD..
E:\WSFILES>CD..
E:\>MD 123FILES
E:\>MD COBOL
E:\>TREE

I. CD (Change Directory): This command is used if we want to go from one directory to

another.
If we are at root E: and we want to go to MYFILE, we write
E:\>CD MYFILE
E:\ MYFILE>
E:\MYFILE>CD CREDIT
E:\ MYFILE>\CREDIT>CD..
E:\MD\MYFILE\CREDIT>CD\
E:\>DIR

II. RD (Remove Directory): This command can remove the user created directory of sub-
directories. But there are two precautions before using this command.
a. Ensure that all the files of the directory, which is to be removed, are deleted.
b. We must be one step back from the sub-directory which is to be removed.
Suppose we are at sub directory at present. To remove this sub directory, we issues a series
command as:
E:\MYFILE\CREDIT>DEL*.*
E:\MYFILE\CREDIT>CD..
III. DEL (delete): It is used a particular file or group of files.
E:\MYFILE\CREDIT>DEL*.*
IV. CLS: This command is to clear the screen.
E:\>CLS

V. REN (rename): This command can change the name of file. We can use it by typing REN.
Suppose we want to change the name of the file [Link] to [Link]
E:\>CD 123FILES
E:\123FILES>COPY CON [Link]
TYPE HOW ARE YOU?
PRESS Ctrl+Z FROM THE KEYBOARD
E:\ 123FILES>REN [Link] [Link]

VI. Copy: This command is used extensively in duplicating files, copying file from one place to
another.
E:\>CD COBOL
E:\COBOL>COPY CON [Link]
TYPE ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR COMPUTER EXAM.
PRESS Ctrl+Z FROM THE KEYBOARD
E:\ COBOL>COPY [Link] D:\[Link] 1file copied to other directory
E:\ COBOL>COPY [Link] [Link] 1 file copied to duplicate

VII. COPY CON: This command that allows the creation of a file through the command prompt.
To use this command type copy con followed by the name of the file you wish to create as
shown below.

COPY CON [Link]

After this command is typed you'll be returned to a blank line, which is the start of your file.
Enter the lines you want to insert into the file and when done press Ctrl + Z to create the file.
If you wish to cancel the creation of the file press Ctrl + C.

E:\MYFILE>COPY CON [Link]

How are you?
Press Ctrl+Z
E:\MYFILE>DIR

How to create a file in MS-DOS.

A file can be created using the edit command or the copy con command. Below are
examples with each command on how to create a file called [Link]

With the EDIT command to create a file type the below command at the prompt.
E:\>CD COBOL
E:\COBOL>EDIT [Link] <press enter>

If available, this should open the edit editor. Once you have typed “THANK YOU SIR” the
information for the file [Link] click File and Save after that choose exit. If you do not
have a mouse, see the edit command page.

When clicking exit, the computer will prompt you if you wish to save the file, click Yes and
the file will be created. With copy con command to create a file type the below command at
the prompt.
 copy con [Link] <press enter>

When typing the above you will return down one line to a blank line. Create the file line by
line. Once you are ready to create the file press enter to get to a blank line and then press
and hold CTRL and press Z then let go of both buttons. This will return a ^Z. Once this has
been entered press enter to save and exit the file.

VIII. DIR (Directory): This is a directory command to display the name of the files existing in a
directory.
E:\>DIR to list all the files in a directory
E:\>DIR \P to list files page by page

IX. DATE Command: It shows the current date and allows modifying it.
E:\>DATE date should be entered as (mm-dd-yy) format put – symbol

X. TIME Command: This command shows the current time and can be used to modify the time.
E:\>TIME type new time in the format hh:mm:ss:xx

XI. VER (version): This command displays the type and the version number of the operating
system that our computer is running at present.
E:\ >VER

XII. TYPE: If we want to see what is written inside a particular file. But there are some file
contains executable code in 1 and 0 such as .EXE and .COM files.
E:\>CD COBOL
E:\COBOL>TYPE [Link] its will displays the file.

 External Command:
The External commands are conventional program files. These file can be deleted, copied and
even renamed. Their filenames are displayed when DIR list a directory on the screen. Some
examples of external commands are FORMAT, DISKCOPY, XCOPY, CHKDSK etc.

i. CHKDSK (Check disk): This command is used to check the free memory space
available and display other information such as bad sector, bytes available on disk
etc.
C:\>CHKDSK

ii. XCOPY command: it is a faster command than copying files by a copy command. All
directories, all sub directories and file can be copied with this command. The hidden
files are not copied.
E:\>XCOPY *.* F:

iii. DISKCOPY: This command is used to make duplicate copy.

E:\>COPY [Link] D:\[Link]

iv. TREE: this is an external command that graphically displays all directories on the
specified disk. one can also force to display of all the filenames along with their
respective directories.
E:\>TREE