Command


An instruction to a computer or device to perform a specific task. Commands come in different forms. They can be:
special words (keywords) that a program understands.

function keys

choices in a menu

buttons or other graphical objects on your screen

Every program that interacts with people responds to a specific set of commands. The set of commands and the syntax for entering them is called the user interface and varies from one program to another.

The DOS operating system makes a distinction between internal and external commands. Internal commands are commands, such as COPY and DIR, that can be handled by the COMMAND.COM program. External commands include the names of all other COM files, as well as EXE and BAT files.

Another word for command is directive.

Read Also:

  • command buffer

    A temporary storage area where commands are kept. (In DOS environments, the command buffer is called a template.) DOS and UNIX support several operations for manipulating the command buffer. For example, you can use the F3 function key in DOS to copy the template ‘s contents to the display screen. This is useful for repeating […]

  • command driven

    Refers to programs and operating systems that accept commands in the form of special words or letters. In contrast, programs that allow you to choose from a list of options in a menu are said to be menu driven. Command-driven software is often more flexible than menu-driven software, but it is more difficult to learn.

  • command language

    The programming language through which a user communicates with the operating system or an application. For example, the DOS command language includes the commands DIR, COPY, and DEL, to name a few. The part of an operating system that responds to operating system commands is called the command processor. With graphical user interfaces, the command […]

  • command line

    The line on the display screen where a command is expected. Generally, the command line is the line that contains the most recently displayed command prompt .

  • command-line scanner

    On Unix-based platforms a command-line scanner is a scanning tool that disinfects viruses, worms and Trojan horses in all major file types.


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