Some commands also have optional switches you can use. A switch
is a type of parameter that alters the effect of a command.
Pathnames may be required in a command if you are specifying files
that are not on the current drive or directory. A pathname tells
MS-DOS where to find a file, and consists of one or more directory
names separated by backslashes. See “Using Pathnames,” later in
this chapter.
There are two kinds of MS-DOS commands: internal and external.
Internal commands are commands that are built into MS-DOS and
can be used at any time once MS-DOS is loaded into memory.
External commands are stored on your system diskettes as program
files. To run an external command, MS-DOS must be able to locate
the file on a system diskette or on your hard disk. If the file is not
stored in the current drive and directory, you may need to use a
pathname when you enter an external command.
See your MS-DOS manual for more information on the command
format and for detailed descriptions of each command.
Entering MS-DOS Commands
You can enter an MS-DOS command whenever you see the
MS-DOS command prompt. Type the command name and any
necessary parameters and delimiters, and then press
Enter
to
execute the command. You can type command names in either
uppercase or lowercase letters.
If you make a mistake when typing a command and you notice it
before you press
Enter,
you can do one of two things:
l
Use the backspace key to back up and correct the error
l
Press
E
SC
to cancel the command line.
If you press
Enter
when a command line has an error in it, the
screen displays an error message. Usually, the command prompt
reappears so you can try again. Type the correct command and
press
Enter.
5-4
Using MS-DOS With Your Equity LT-286
