Function Comparisons for PC Operating Systems

append [[drive:]path[;…]]

Treat files in other directories as if they were in the current directory

attrib [+attribute|-attribute][drive:][path]filename]

Turn four attributes (h(hidden), r(read-only), a(archive), s(system)) on or off.

break [on|off]

Specify how frequently DOS is to check for the Ctrl-C combination that interrupts programs.

buffers=n[,m]

Use in the CONFIG.SYS to set the number of buffers in memory.

call [drive:][path]filename [batch-parameters]

Used in a batch file to start a second batch file and then return to the first one.

cd [drive:][path]

chdir [drive:][path]

Used to move to another directory

chcp [nnn]

Used to change the code page so that you can use a language other than English.

chkdsk [drive:][[path]filename]

Used to check for errors in a disk’s file allocation table (FAT).

ctty device

Used to change the terminal device used to control your system

date [mm-dd-yy]

Used to display the current date.

dblspace

Used to compress a drive containing files

debug [[drive:][path]filename

Used to debug code, files and examining memory.

defrag [drive:] [/f] [/s[:]order] [/b] [/skiphigh] [/1cd|/bw|/go] [/h]

Used to rewrite all files on the specified drive so that they occupy contiguous blocks.

del [drive:][path]filename [/p]

Used to erase file(s) from a disk.

deltree [/y] [drive:]path

Used to delete a directory

device=[drive:][path]filename

devicehigh=[drive:][path]filename

Used in CONFIG.SYS to load device drivers

dir [drive:][path][filename

Used to display the names, sizes, and creation dates of the files in a specific directory.

diskcomp [drive1: [drive2:]]

Used to compare the contents of two floppy disks.

diskcopy [drive1: [drive2:]]

Used to copy the contents of one floppy disk to another.

dos=high|low[,umb|,noumb

Used to load DOS into the high memory area

doskey [/reinstall] [/bufsize=size] […

Used to load the memory-resident DOS-key program.

dosshell [/t[:res[n]]] [/b]

Used to load the DOS shell.

drivparm=/d:number [/c] etc.

Used in CONFIG.

Sys to define specialized drive parameters.

echo [on|off]

Used in batch files to display (echo on) or suppress (echo off) the display of commands.

edit [[drive:][path]filename

Used to load MS Editor.

emm386 [on|off|auto]

Used for tasks related to memory management.

exit

Used to return to the shell from a command prompt.

expand [drive:][path]filename

Used to expand compressed files as they are copied.

fastopen drive:[[=]n]

Used to reduce the time necessary to access files and directories.

fc [optional switches] [drive1:][path1]fielname1 [drive2:][path2]filename2

Used to compare two files and make a list of any differences between them.

fcbs=c

Used in CONFIG.SYS to specify how many file control blacks can be open at once.

fdisk

Used to create, delete, and modify partitions on a hard disk.

files=x

Used in CONFIG.SYS to specify the number of files than DOS can have open simultaneously.

find [/v] [/c] [/n] [/I] "string" [[drive:][path]filename[…]]

Used to search a file for words or phrases.

for %variable in (set) do command

Used to run the same command on a set of files.

format drive: [/v[:label]]

Used to prepare disks for storing information.

goto label

Used to jump to a line that you have marked with a label.

graphics [type] [[drive:][path]filename] [/r] [/b]

Used enable printing of screens generated in graphics mode or on a color monitor.

help [/b] [/g] [/h]

Used to get online information about DOS commands.

if [not] exist filename command

If [not] string1==string2 command

If [not] error level number command

Used to have a batch file carry out different actions depending on whether or not a specified condition exists.

include=blockname

Used in a CONFIG.SYS file that sets up multiple configurations to include one configuration block in another configuration block.

install=[drive:][path]filename [command-parameters]

Used in CONFIG.SYS to load a memory-resident program each time you start your computer.

interink [client[:]=[server][:]]

Used to start the InterLink program.

intersvr [drive:[…]] [/x=drive:[…]]

Used to start the InterLink server.

keyb [xx[,[yyy][,[drive:][path]filename]]]

Used to configure your keyboard for a language other than U. S. English.

label [drive:][label]

Used to create, modify, or delete a disk's volume label.

lastdrive=x

Used in CONFIG.SYS to specify the drive letter that represents the maximum number of sequentially lettered drives you can have in your system.

loadfix [drive:][path]filename

Used to load a specified program into conventional memory, but avoids the first 64 KB of conventional memory.

loadhigh [drive:][path]filename

Used in the AUTOEXEC.BAT to load the specified program into upper memory.

md [drive:]path

Mkdir [drive:]path

Used to create a new directory. (Mkdir is an alternative form of this command.)

mem [/classify|/debug|/free|/module modulename][/page]

Used to find out how much memory your computer has and how that memory is being used.

memmaker[/b] [/batch] [/session] [/swap:drive] [/t] [/undo] [/w:n,m]

Used to run the MemMaker program.

menucolor=x[,y]

Menudefault=blockname[,timeout]

Menuitem=blockname[,menu_text]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS to set up multiple system configurations.

See online help for possible syntaxes.

Used to configure ports or devices.

more < [drive:][path]filename

Used to display information one screenful at a time.

move [drive:][path]filename[,[drive:][path]filename[…]] destination

Used to move a file or group of files to another drive or directory or to rename a file or group of files.

msav [drive:] [/s|/c] [/r] [/a|/l] [/n] [/p] [/f] [/video]

Used to run the Microsoft Anti-Virus program.

msbackup [setup_file] [/bw] [/lcd] [/mda]

Used to run the Microsoft Backup program.

msd [/I] [/f[drive:][path]filename] [/p[drive:][path]filename] [/s[drive:][path][filename]]

Used to display information about your system components.

nlsfunc [[drive:][path]filename]

Used in support of a language other than English.

numlock=[on|off]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS to specify whether the NumLock key is set on or off.

path [[drive:]path[;…]]

Used to display the current path or set a new one.

pause

Used to temporarily halt batch-file processing.

power [adv[:max|reg|min]|std|off]

Used with battery-powered laptop computers to turn power management on or off.

print [[drive:][path]filename[ …]]

Used to print unformatted text files on compatible printers.

prompt [text]

Used to change your system prompt.

qbasic [[/run][drive:][path]filename]

Used to start the QBasic interpreter.

rd [drive:]path

Rmdir [drive:]path

Used to delete a directory. (Rmdir is an alternative form.)

rem [string]

Used to embed messages and comments in a batch file or your CONFIG.SYS file.

ren [drive:][path]filename1 filename2

Rename [drive:][path]filename1 filename2

Used to change the names of files stored on your computer before copying the new versions from disk.

replace [ddrive1:][path1]filename [drive2:][path2] [/a] [/p] [/r] [/w]

Used to make sure that all the files are updated to the current version.

set [variable=[string]]

Used to modify DOS environment variables.

setver [drive:path][filename n.nn]

Used to tell DOS to send a version number other than 6 to applications that are designed for specific DOS versions.

shell=[[drive:]path]filename [parameters]

Used in the CONFIG.SYS if you want to use a command interpreter other than COMMAND.COM.

shift

Used in batch files to change he valve of parameters.

smartdrv

Used to run the SMARTDrive disk-caching program.

sort [/r] [/+n] [<] drive:][path1]filename1 [> [drive2][path2]filename2]

Used to sort files of up to 64 KB and either display the results on the screen or redirect them to a file.

stacks=n,s

Used in the CONFIG,SYS to set up storage places in memory for internal functions.

submenu=blockname[,menu_text