The operating system is the intermediary between the computer hardware and the instructions to a form that can be understood by the machine.
1000 bytes = 1 kilobyte
1000000 bytes = 1 megabyte
1 billion bytes = 1 gigabyte
- Examples of Operating System
- Disk Operating System (DOS)
- Unix Operating system
- OS/2
- A collection of programs that supervises and controls the operation of your computer.
- Allows you to create and manage your files
- Can also execute your programs and supervise the interface of your programs with different devices such as printers
- Was developed by Microsoft corporation for International Business machines (IBM)
- An external storage device where you save and access your files.
- Temporary label
- Permanent label
- Read/write head
- Hub
- Index hole
- Write-protect notch
1000 bytes = 1 kilobyte
1000000 bytes = 1 megabyte
1 billion bytes = 1 gigabyte
How to start your computer?
FILES
Files
Command.com
Command ---- Root/Base name
Com ----------- extension name
Rules in naming your files
NOTE: If you want to display the function and syntax of the following commands, type the keyword followed by a slash(/) and a question mark(?)
Example:
A:\> DIR/?
External Commands
- Insert your SYSTEM DISK disk in drive A and then lock the drive
- Switch on your CPU and monitor
- 3. Wait until your monitor displayed the following:
ENTER NEW DATE (mm-dd-yy) : 06-25-96
ENTER NEW DATE (hh-mm-ss) : 1-30-40
A:\> - If A:\> appears, it means that the computer is ready to accept DOS commands
FILES
Files
- Are collections of facts/records
- A named area on a secondary storage device that contains a program, data or textual material
- The name given to a document, program or utility for the purpose of distinguishing everything you have worked on the computer
- A distinct label for the applications that you do
- Root/Base name
- Extension name
Command.com
Command ---- Root/Base name
Com ----------- extension name
Rules in naming your files
- Root name must be less than or equal to eight (8) characters and extension name must e less than or equal to three (3) characters only
- Spaces are not allowed
- Reserved words such as the following are not valid as filenames
- LPT1
- LPT2
- Internal Commands
- Built in commands
- Commands that resides on the memory of the computer right after booting
Ex:
A. dir
B. cls
C. date - External commands
- Commands that resides on a disk
Ex:
A. format
B. diskcopy
C. chkdsk
NOTE: If you want to display the function and syntax of the following commands, type the keyword followed by a slash(/) and a question mark(?)
Example:
A:\> DIR/?
- DATE – change the system date
Syntax:
DATE: mm-dd-yy - TIME – change the system time
Syntax:
TIME : hh:mm:ss - CHANGING THE DRIVE prompt
Syntax:
<drive:> - CLS – clears the screen
Syntax:
CLS - VER – displays the DOS version
Syntax:
VER - DIR - displays the directory information
Syntax:
DIR [drive:][parameters]
Examples:
A:\>DIR/P
A:\>DIR/W
A:\>DIR B: - COPY – copy file or files
Syntax:
COPY <s.d:><filename.ext> <t.d:>newfilename - RENAME – rename or change the name of file or files
Syntax:
REN <s.d:><oldfilename.ext> <t.d:>newfilename - DEL/ERASE – removes file or files
Syntax:
DEL <t.d:><filename.ext> - VOL – displays the volume name
Syntax:
VOL - PROMPT – changes the DOS prompt
Syntax:
PROMPT [text][parameters] - TYPE – displays the contents of the file
Syntax:
TYPE <t.d:><filename.ext>
- Asterisk(*) – can occupy one or more characters
- Question Mark(?) - can occupy only one character
External Commands
- FORMAT– initializes the disk with a recording format that is acceptable to DOS
Syntax:
FORMAT <t.d:>[parameters] - SYS – transfer system files to a disk
Syntax:
SYS <t.d:> - CHKDSK – display information about the disk
Syntax:
CHKDSK <t.d:> - DISKCOPY – instructs the DOS to copy the entire contents of a source disk to a target disk
Syntax:
DISKCOPY <s.d:> <t.d:> - LABEL – changes the volume name of the disk
Syntax:
LABEL <t.d:>