Table of Contents
DOS (Disk Operating System) is an operating system that runs from a storage disk drive, such as a floppy disk, hard disk drive, or optical disc. It must provide a file system that is used to read, write and organize files on the storage drive. The first DOS was IBM PC DOS introduced by Microsoft in 1981.
MS-DOS stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System, developed for IBM PC and compatible type of computers during the 1980s to mid-1990s. MS-DOS is a command-line-based system, where the user enters all commands in the form of text and there is no graphical user interface like in Windows.
OS was the primary OS to be employed by IBM-compatible computers. DOS initially had two versions, both of which were relatively identical but marketed under two different brands. MS-DOS was the framework behind Windows operating systems up to Windows XP.
PC-DOS was a dos version produced by IBM and sold to the primary IBM-compatible computers.
MS-DOS was the dos version that Microsoft bought the patent for and merged with earlier versions of Windows.
The most important part of MS-DOS was the DOS instruction or its text-based interface, which was alright received by the user.
Here are some of the amazing features of MS-DOS.
DOS commands are small programs used to perform a specific job. Each DOS command performs its dedicated task. Without these commands, it is impossible to work on the computer system. These commands exist in MS-DOS and are used to interact with the operating system and other command-line-based software.
If you are working on a computer with a Windows operating system (like Windows 10, 8, 7, etc.) then there is no need for DOS commands because MS-DOS is not available in windows. These commands can also be used in Windows with the help of Command Prompt. These commands are called CMD commands.
There are three parts of DOS commands
Internal commands are inserted into computer memory during computer booting. These commands can’t be viewed, edited, detected, or deleted because they are not present in the form of any file. MD, CD, TIME, DATE, COPY, COPR CON, TYPE, etc are common examples of internal commands.
External commands are stored in the computer memory after booting. These Commands can easily be viewed, copied, changed, or deleted because they are present in the form of a file. FORMAT, COPY, PRINT, SYS, EDIT, TREE, SORT, PROMPT, etc are common examples of external commands.
Command Prompt is the input field in a text-based user interface in Windows. It is an official Windows command processor used to execute the commands entered in it. A command prompt (cmd.exe) issues various commands like file management commands i.e copy/ delete or troubleshoot windows issues.
Sometimes command prompt is incorrectly called MS-DOS or the DOS prompt, but it’s not MS-DOS.
The DOS command prompt is an important part of the MS-DOS command-line interface (CLI). It is the basic setting for the interface, where the prompt sets the platform for executing command lines of code. The main function of the prompt is to guide the user where and how to enter command-line text.
The DOS command prompt was the most well-oriented way to interact with the personal computer before the innovation of Windows graphical user interfaces. When the user navigates within the operating system, other files, directories, and subdirectories may also be added to the prompt. The common prompt is “C:\”.
A “denial of service” or DoS attack is a type of cyber attack used to tie up a website’s resources making it inaccessible to its intended users by interrupting the device’s normal functioning. DoS attacks are typically accomplished by flooding or overwhelming the traffic to the target that triggers a crash.
The first DoS attack was done by a young boy David Dennis at the age of 13y in 1974. Dennis wrote a program by using the “external” or “ext” command that forced some computers at research in a nearby university to power off.
An important type of DOS attack is a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that comes from distributed sources, like a botnet DDoS attack.
Following is a list of important dos commands and what is their function.
Command com is a port of DOS. It helps to boot the computer and load the internal DOS command into memory (RAM). It also provides the PROMT and command line on the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)or simply monitor.
Following are major examples of DOS commands:
The date command is used to show or set the current date. The time command is used to show or set the current time. For example
DIR command displays the following information:
At the end of the list, there is a line that shows the number of bytes free on a hard drive.
You can include a PAUSE command to your directory command which will permit you to see your directory one screen at a time.
When you need to quickly view your files, you can add a /W to the directory command. This will display your files into five columns on the screen.
This command does not show the file size or the fate it was created.
In spite of using the directory command to look for one specific file, you can type the name of the file after the DIR command at the C:\> prompt.
The * symbol is called wildcard and stands for any character or group of characters. This is helpful when you desire to list files that start with some specific letter or group.
You can use the wildcard character * to show a group of files with the same extension.
When the screen is full of information, you may want to clear it. To do this, type CLS at the C:\> prompt and press enter.
Sciencerack
Best website to learn about science.
You can use the COPY command to copy one file to another.
Note: the filenames cannot be more than eight characters in length. File extensions cannot be more than three characters in length.
If you need to check the contents of a particular file or any DOS file, you will need to use the TYPE command.
The RENAME commands let you rename a previous file with a new name.
To create a subdirectory, you will need to use the command MD.
CD command is used to move to a directory.
provides a quick way to move from the current directory back to the parent directory.
The copy command is used to copy files from one directory to another.
Note: the backslash character \ directs DOS to read from the root directory. The*. Requests the listing of the subdirectories.
DEL command is used to delete files.
By using the wildcard character* you can delete a group of files from your hard drive.
There are two rules you will need to follow before removing a subdirectory.
RULE 1: all files in the subdirectory must be deleted.
NOTE: never type DEL *.* when you are in the root directory. It will wipe out all DOS files that are compulsory to boot and operate the computer.
Now the subdirectory is empty, you can delete the subdirectory.
RULE 2: you cannot be in the subdirectory that you wish to remove. You will need to return to the root directory (C:\> prompt).
It is used to enable the hard disk or floppy disk for storing the data e.g.
C:\> format A/S/V/Q
/S means to make a system disk
/V means to enter the volume label after the formatting.
/Q Quick format
NOTE: if you receive a message like: “Track 0 bad” or “Disk. Unusable,” your disk may be the wrong capacity. You can get help with this error message by typing.
Sometimes there is a need to copy all the files on one floppy diskette to another floppy. First, you will need a blank formatted disk.
NOTE: If your machine has two floppy disk drives, insert the original (source) disk into drive A and the blank (target) disk into drive B. then type: DISKCOPY A:B:
With the introduction of Windows 3.0, DOS was on the brink of extinction, and GUIalso hit hard. With the introduction of Windows 95, DOS was wont to launch, troubleshoot, and backward compatibility of older software, especially games.
Therefore, after Windows 95, DOS OS was not released as a standalone product. However, DOS will never be completely obsolete because it’s a licensed OS from Microsoft which will be trusted.
Read Now:
Having bad credit can make it challenging to obtain a personal loan, but it's not… Read More
Traveling doesn't have to break the bank. With some careful planning and smart strategies, you… Read More
Are you looking for a job in the fruit packing industry with the added benefit… Read More
Are you considering a move from the United States to Canada? Whether it's for a… Read More
A credit card is a financial tool that allows you to borrow money from a… Read More
Watching sports online for free can be challenging due to the licensing agreements and restrictions… Read More