Shells provide the user interface in DOS, or the way you interact with the system. COMMAND.COM is the program that provides the command-driven user interface described in this tutorial. Other shells can be substituted for COMMAND.COM, by adding the Shell command in the Config.sys file; for example:
DOS 4.01 came with an optional user interface known as the DOS Shell that let you command DOS with menus. The DOS install program created the DOSSHELL.BAT batch file, which loaded the DOS Shell as follows (it did not use the Shell command, because it was an alternate, not a substitute):
As of DOS 5, the DOS Shell was completely revised, and DOSSHELL.COM is used to start it. Run it by typing:
shell=xyzmenu.com
DOS 4.01 came with an optional user interface known as the DOS Shell that let you command DOS with menus. The DOS install program created the DOSSHELL.BAT batch file, which loaded the DOS Shell as follows (it did not use the Shell command, because it was an alternate, not a substitute):
dosshell
As of DOS 5, the DOS Shell was completely revised, and DOSSHELL.COM is used to start it. Run it by typing:
dosshell /t text (character) mode
dosshell /g graphics mode
dosshell /bw black & white (laptops)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- iXNotepad 1.5 (Windows)
- Do you need speed, functionality and portability in your daily Unicode code/text editor? iXNotepad consists of one EXE (no DLLs/COMs/etc), configuration and schema files, and it does not use the registry and/or add/modify any system files. Need to take iXNotepad with you--no Problem. Copy iXNotepad, config and license files onto...
- Software downloads 2009-10-22
- Batch & Print Pro 3.05 (Windows)
- Batch & Print Pro is for batching documents as retainable lists, which can be automatically printed in, document sequence of your choice. All associated shell printable documents are supported, PDF, MS Word, HTML, text files, image formats, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations. Batch & Print Pro software monitors the spool queue...
- Software downloads 2009-10-06
- ArGoSoft FTP Server .NET 1.0.1.9 (Windows)
- ArGoSoft FTP Server .NET is a FTP server with unique advanced features, such as passive mode, resuming file transfers, windows shortcuts, file archiving directly on the server, and DOS shell. Continues traditions of our Win32 version of FTP server, which had been around for over 8 years.
- Software downloads 2009-08-20
- Notepad2 Turkce 4.0.22 (Windows)
- Notepad2 developed by Florian Balmer is a light-weight, free, and open source Notepad-like text editor with syntax highlighting for a few commonly used languages. It's based on the Scintilla source code editing component and works on NT-based versions of Windows. Features:- Syntax highlighting: HTML, XML, PHP, ASP (JS, VBS), CSS,...
- Software downloads 2009-08-17
- The history and future of Chrome OS
- The history and future of Chrome OSGoogle - MicrosoftMicrosoft MS like all monopolies has grown fat and sloppy - just look at Vista. What a piece of crap that was and is and MS made millions off this nightmare. They more than control all desk top software, they...
- Discussion threads 2009-07-11
- Motorola Clutch has QWERTY smartphone style, PTT, military-grade toughness, no contract [review]
- The Motorola Clutch is a fascinating hybrid of a phone. At first glance, it looks much like a BlackBerry smartphone: it's got a full QWERTY keyboard and its profile is a bit of a hybrid between that and a candybar phone -- meaning...
- Blog posts 2009-07-10
- OIN spearheads review of Microsoft FAT patents
- OIN spearheads review of Microsoft FAT patentsThe OIN is nothing more than a bottom feeder trying hard....to do away with patents they think they can fight. If Linux based systems are not guily of major patent abuse, as MS has claimed in the past, why would there be an OIN...
- Discussion threads 2009-04-28
- IZArc2Go 4.0 beta 1 Build 1760 (Windows)
- IZArc2Go is portable version of IZArc. Just drop it on any USB Flash Drive and you will have full functional archive utility wherever you go. You don't have to install anything on the computer's hard disk. IZArc2Go has all features of IZArc except that it can not be integrated into...
- Software downloads 2009-04-27
- From Chapter Four: The Unix and Open source Culture
- This is the 41st excerpt from the second book in the Defen series: BIT: Business Information Technology: Foundations, Infrastructure, and Culture Roots (2) In its present form this commitment to publication and peer review, originally derived from the core academic and scientific approach giving rise to the science...
- Blog posts 2009-03-13
- The Mac at 25: GUI battles in business
- The Mac at 25: GUI battles in businessSystem 7 was the worst OS I've ever usedShudder, that thing was S...L...O...W... Well, that's not totally true. It would crash really fast, really often. The whole System 7, 8, 9 line was absolutely terrible. It wasn't until Apple gave up trying to...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-23
- Windows 7: A sound of thunder
- Windows 7: A sound of thunderMS will never go down.Windows will be the main stream OS forever and ever and ever.And those that are dumping Windows are going to Apple and not Linux. Linux is just too unpredictable for most users. Too many distro's and not enough main stream...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-15
- Monkey Tools 1.0 (Windows)
- Monkey Tools is a set of shell/console/command line utilities, as well as some GUI based applications that can be controlled from command line. The utilities include: - iutil.exe is a tool that prevents more than one instance of any application you choose; - appwarn.exe is a simple message box that...
- Software downloads 2009-01-13
- Linux: The Joe Sixpack Strategy
- Linux: The Joe Sixpack StrategyTruth in advertising.Given the seriousness of a decision to attempt Linux, people should be told that the software they bought won't work, their music won't play, and they'll have to rediscover everything they thought they knew about computing.Linux is a full (and perhaps full-time) commitment. ...
- Discussion threads 2008-11-03
- Microsoft launches software for cheap Portuguese laptop
- Microsoft launches software for cheap Portuguese laptopMicrosoft launches software for cheap Portuguese laptopThis is a great plan brought to you by Microsoft. This laptop will run the Microsoft Windows XP operating system allowing these school children to be compatible with the rest of the world. They can share...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- ABC Security Protector 5.492 (Windows)
- ABC Security Protector is a security utility that enables you to protect your PC by disabling some features like: use of the MS-DOS command prompt in Windows and real mode DOS applications from within the Windows shell, and disable function keys on boot up like the F5, F6, and F8...
- Software downloads 2008-08-12
- The Microsoft middle ground
- The Microsoft middle groundYes, but the current perceived credit crunchshould get rid of a lot of the "me-too" fat from the system.Only the genuine knowledgeable IT lovers will be left ....Price vs TCOYour piece fails to mention the well-documented costs of owning MS-based desktops and servers. The delta in...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-07
- xplorer2 Professional 1.7.1.4 (Windows)
- xplorer�?�² can assimilate nearly all the modern features of the win32 shell without the bloat. Here are some key features of "xplorer2": Clean minimalistic, customizable interface Seamless handling of virtual folders (FTP/webfolders/zipfolders etc) Extended file/folder details (MP3 tags, checksum etc) Instant preview of text, graphics and audio/video content Find files...
- Software downloads 2008-07-23
- Synpad 2 (Windows)
- SynPad 2.0 Hex and Text Editor, The Text Editor can highlight more than 15 different programming language (Pascal, Unix Shell, HTML, Java, and MS-DOS), including a 128 bit crypter, to crypt your text with a password and a Hex Editor. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com. ...
- Software downloads 2008-07-09
- Might Microsoft's Midori be 'Cairo' revisited?
- Might Microsoft's Midori be 'Cairo' revisited?If it is object oriented -it would work like OS/2, the versions after Microsoft and IBM stopped working together.The Workplace Shell was the best environment I've ever worked on.Baseless speculation is fun but uselessToward that end I would recommend you look up the meaning of...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-07
- Goodbye, XP. Hello, Midori
- Goodbye, XP. Hello, MidoriHow great would it be-to have a lean, mean system that would do the basics, and leave some of the add-ons to other companies.Microsoft has blown any chance of Vista ever getting any respect, as the timing of '7' seems almost a stopgap measure. with '7' only...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-30
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
