Command Prompt Basics

A

airlift123

New Member
Can anyone tell me in laymens terms and use an example how you do a command prompt and then explain after the command prompt is done. Why you would use it for operating a computer. Thank you
 
munkyeetr

munkyeetr

New Member
You can/would use a command prompt to perform almost anything you can do with a GUI, and some things you will have to do at the command prompt. Most GUI applications are either frontends for command line apps, or have and allow command line options.

To open a command prompt:

1) Press WINKEY + r to open the run dialog
2) Type cmd and press ENTER

Once in the Command Interpreter is open, type help to list internal commands like the following.
Code: 
For more information on a specific command, type HELP command-name
ASSOC          Displays or modifies file extension associations.
ATTRIB         Displays or changes file attributes.
BREAK          Sets or clears extended CTRL+C checking.
BCDEDIT        Sets properties in boot database to control boot loading.
CACLS          Displays or modifies access control lists (ACLs) of files.
CALL           Calls one batch program from another.
CD             Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHCP           Displays or sets the active code page number.
CHDIR          Displays the name of or changes the current directory.
CHKDSK         Checks a disk and displays a status report.
CHKNTFS        Displays or modifies the checking of disk at boot time.
CLS            Clears the screen.
CMD            Starts a new instance of the Windows command interpreter.
COLOR          Sets the default console foreground and background colors.
COMP           Compares the contents of two files or sets of files.
COMPACT        Displays or alters the compression of files on NTFS partitions.
CONVERT        Converts FAT volumes to NTFS.  You cannot convert the
               current drive.
COPY           Copies one or more files to another location.
DATE           Displays or sets the date.
DEL            Deletes one or more files.
DIR            Displays a list of files and subdirectories in a directory.
DISKCOMP       Compares the contents of two floppy disks.
DISKCOPY       Copies the contents of one floppy disk to another.
DISKPART       Displays or configures Disk Partition properties.
DOSKEY         Edits command lines, recalls Windows commands, and
               creates macros.
DRIVERQUERY    Displays current device driver status and properties.
ECHO           Displays messages, or turns command echoing on or off.
ENDLOCAL       Ends localization of environment changes in a batch file.
ERASE          Deletes one or more files.
EXIT           Quits the CMD.EXE program (command interpreter).
FC             Compares two files or sets of files, and displays the
               differences between them.
FIND           Searches for a text string in a file or files.
FINDSTR        Searches for strings in files.
FOR            Runs a specified command for each file in a set of files.
FORMAT         Formats a disk for use with Windows.
FSUTIL         Displays or configures the file system properties.
FTYPE          Displays or modifies file types used in file extension
               associations.
GOTO           Directs the Windows command interpreter to a labeled line in
               a batch program.
GPRESULT       Displays Group Policy information for machine or user.
GRAFTABL       Enables Windows to display an extended character set in
               graphics mode.
HELP           Provides Help information for Windows commands.
ICACLS         Display, modify, backup, or restore ACLs for files and
               directories.
IF             Performs conditional processing in batch programs.
LABEL          Creates, changes, or deletes the volume label of a disk.
MD             Creates a directory.
MKDIR          Creates a directory.
MKLINK         Creates Symbolic Links and Hard Links
MODE           Configures a system device.
MORE           Displays output one screen at a time.
MOVE           Moves one or more files from one directory to another
               directory.
OPENFILES      Displays files opened by remote users for a file share.
PATH           Displays or sets a search path for executable files.
PAUSE          Suspends processing of a batch file and displays a message.
POPD           Restores the previous value of the current directory saved by
               PUSHD.
PRINT          Prints a text file.
PROMPT         Changes the Windows command prompt.
PUSHD          Saves the current directory then changes it.
RD             Removes a directory.
RECOVER        Recovers readable information from a bad or defective disk.
REM            Records comments (remarks) in batch files or CONFIG.SYS.
REN            Renames a file or files.
RENAME         Renames a file or files.
REPLACE        Replaces files.
RMDIR          Removes a directory.
ROBOCOPY       Advanced utility to copy files and directory trees
SET            Displays, sets, or removes Windows environment variables.
SETLOCAL       Begins localization of environment changes in a batch file.
SC             Displays or configures services (background processes).
SCHTASKS       Schedules commands and programs to run on a computer.
SHIFT          Shifts the position of replaceable parameters in batch files.
SHUTDOWN       Allows proper local or remote shutdown of machine.
SORT           Sorts input.
START          Starts a separate window to run a specified program or command.
SUBST          Associates a path with a drive letter.
SYSTEMINFO     Displays machine specific properties and configuration.
TASKLIST       Displays all currently running tasks including services.
TASKKILL       Kill or stop a running process or application.
TIME           Displays or sets the system time.
TITLE          Sets the window title for a CMD.EXE session.
TREE           Graphically displays the directory structure of a drive or
               path.
TYPE           Displays the contents of a text file.
VER            Displays the Windows version.
VERIFY         Tells Windows whether to verify that your files are written
               correctly to a disk.
VOL            Displays a disk volume label and serial number.
XCOPY          Copies files and directory trees.
WMIC           Displays WMI information inside interactive command shell.

For more information on tools see the command-line reference in the online help.
You can also run many programs from the command line. A couple common examples:

The ping command will send data packets to a website and inform you if a communications line is open. IE: you're network and internet is working.
A) type ping www.google.com then press ENTER.
B) press CTRL + c to terminate the ping command
C) type ping /? to see the options for the ping command

The ipconfig command will list information about your network adapter information and allow you to perform operations on your network.
A) type ipconfig and press ENTER
B) type ipconfig /? to see the options for the ipconfig command

You can also perform file system operations like copying, moving and deleting file and directories and much much more.

The command line in Linux is infinitly more powerful than in Windows. You can do virtually anything in the commandline in Linux, often quicker and easier than you can with a graphical frontend.
 
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WhiteTree

New Member
GUI = Graphical User Interface
Originally, computers only worked from the command line - that was all there was. Now, we have a GUI on top that displays things using pictures, images, or graphics. This allows things like "buttons" and "menus" and is what makes it possible to use a mouse. A mouse is useless if commands can only be issued through typing on a keyboard.

The "Windows," "Win," or "WINKEY" key is the key that has a Windows logo on it and is near the left "Ctrl" key and the left "Alt" key.

"WINKEY + r " means hold down the "Win" key and press "r" at the same time.
 
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airlift123

New Member
Got It

Thanks I believe I pretty much got it. You guys use it much. Do tech savvy people use it as an everyday thing.
 
munkyeetr

munkyeetr

New Member
Well, I guess you use it when the task at hand calls for it.

But as tlarkin mentioned, get the hang of syntax and how the interpreter works first, then play around with batch files, which allows you to execute groups of commands by running just one command (calling the .bat file).
 
tlarkin

tlarkin

VIP Member
airlift123 said:
Thanks I believe I pretty much got it. You guys use it much. Do tech savvy people use it as an everyday thing.
Click to expand...

I use Unix command line every day at work but I manage 8,000 Macs and 40 Mac servers. SSH allows me to remote in from the command line and do things with out the overhead of a GUI. Also, sometimes servers will hang on a reboot because the GUI won't quit so I have to ssh into them to reboot them.

I also write pre-flight and post-flight shell scripts for lots of package deployment and mass imaging I do here at work. It allows me to automate a task and replicate that automation across many systems. No one wants to log into a system and do post configurations after it is imaged, and then repeat it 8,000 times. So you script it instead.
 
A

airlift123

New Member
Books

Your way ahead of me in computer skills. I'am still unfamiliar with regard to servers. A server is used for what?. I know this question is an everyday thing to you guys but can you give me an example if I had one what I can use it for. Also if you can recommend any good books.
 
tlarkin

tlarkin

VIP Member
airlift123 said:
Your way ahead of me in computer skills. I'am still unfamiliar with regard to servers. A server is used for what?. I know this question is an everyday thing to you guys but can you give me an example if I had one what I can use it for. Also if you can recommend any good books.
Click to expand...

Anything by O'Reilly is generally good. What is it that interest you? Servers provide services for client computers.
 
tlarkin

tlarkin

VIP Member
airlift123 said:
How long would it take to get where you guys are in computer skills?
Click to expand...

In all honesty, it depends on dedication to learning and on the job experience. Working has taught me so much more than anything I ever learned on my own or from a book. I've been in the filed 11 years now, and that by itself has taught me the basic fundamental skill set I apply to all other skills.

Figure out what you want to do and then learn it. Computers are so broad. I can figure out how to package and deploy photoshop to 100s or 1000s of computers, but if you ask me how to use PS, I would probably have to google it.
 
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