• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Computer Notes

Library
    • Computer Fundamental
    • Computer Memory
    • DBMS Tutorial
    • Operating System
    • Computer Networking
    • C Programming
    • C++ Programming
    • Java Programming
    • C# Programming
    • SQL Tutorial
    • Management Tutorial
    • Computer Graphics
    • Compiler Design
    • Style Sheet
    • JavaScript Tutorial
    • Html Tutorial
    • Wordpress Tutorial
    • Python Tutorial
    • PHP Tutorial
    • JSP Tutorial
    • AngularJS Tutorial
    • Data Structures
    • E Commerce Tutorial
    • Visual Basic
    • Structs2 Tutorial
    • Digital Electronics
    • Internet Terms
    • Servlet Tutorial
    • Software Engineering
    • Interviews Questions
    • Basic Terms
    • Troubleshooting
Menu

Header Right

Home » Fundamental » Terms » What is COMMAND.COM?
Next →
← Prev

What is COMMAND.COM?

By Dinesh Thakur

COMMAND.COM is the program that serves as the DOS command processor, or the DOS shell if you prefer. Like any operating system, DOS itself is simply software, albeit software that has a very special role in running your computer. Dos consists of a conglomeration of programs, utilities, and device drivers, but at its core are three key pieces of software. They must be present on the disk you use to start your computer, or the computer won’t work. Of these three pieces of software, the only one you’re likely to run across is Command.com you’ll see it in the list of files on your screen when you display the directory of that start-up disk, by typing DIR and pressing Enter. (The other two essential DOS files are hidden files, so you won’t see them in the directory list.)

Despite its importance, Command.com is an ordinary file, just like any other file on your disk. You can copy it to another place if you like, but whatever you do, don’t erase (delete) the Command.com file, and don’t move it to another directory or another disk.

Command.com is responsible for displaying the DOS prompt (like C:)). But its main job is to interpret the commands you type at the prompt (on the DOS command line). That is, when you type a DOS command and press Enter, Command.com “reads” what you typed. It figures out what you want to do-copy a file, display a directory, run a program, etc.-and then goes and does it. That’s what they mean by “command processor.” (By the way, it’s possible to substitute another command processor for Command.com; see the entry for 4DOS.)

In the technical sense, Command.com is a shell, in that it provides a user interface, a way you can get at DOS’S functionality. But ordinary people use the term shell to refer to a program that lets you manage files and start programs without having to type commands-in other words, without interacting with Command.com.

You’ll also like:

  1. What is command interpreter or command processor?
  2. What PCL (printer command language)?
  3. Command Line Arguments
  4. What is command line interface?
  5. Command Line Arguments in Python
Next →
← Prev
Like/Subscribe us for latest updates     

About Dinesh Thakur
Dinesh ThakurDinesh Thakur holds an B.C.A, MCDBA, MCSD certifications. Dinesh authors the hugely popular Computer Notes blog. Where he writes how-to guides around Computer fundamental , computer software, Computer programming, and web apps.

Dinesh Thakur is a Freelance Writer who helps different clients from all over the globe. Dinesh has written over 500+ blogs, 30+ eBooks, and 10000+ Posts for all types of clients.


For any type of query or something that you think is missing, please feel free to Contact us.


Primary Sidebar

Terms

Parts of Computer

    • Computer - Processor
    • Computer - Scanner
    • Computer - SMPS
    • Computer - SCSI
    • Computer - EGA
    • Computer - CD-ROM
    • Computer - CD-R
    • Computer - Laser Disc
    • Computer - Optical Disc

Computer Ports

    • Computer - Port
    • Computer - Printer Port
    • Computer - Parallel Port
    • Computer - Serial Port
    • Computer - Display Port
    • Computer - HDMI

Computer Storage Terms

    • Storage - Disk Sector
    • Storage - FAT
    • Storage - Bootstrap
    • Storage - Seek Time
    • Storage - USB 3.0
    • Storage - Address
    • Storage - Format
    • Storage - Cluster
    • Storage - Defragmentation
    • Storage - Install SSD

Internet Terms

    • Internet - Cookies
    • Internet - UseNet
    • Internet - Search Engines
    • Internet - Bandwidth
    • Internet - 3G Technology
    • Internet - SkyDrive
    • Internet - Plug-Ins
    • Internet - Error Code 404
    • Internet - Crawlers
    • Internet - Wifi
    • Internet - Web hosting

Hardware Terms

    • Hardware - Video Card
    • Hardware - Clock Speed
    • Hardware - Architecture
    • Hardware - Tablet

Hardware Terms

    • OS - Desktop
    • OS - Desktop Publishing
    • OS - Application Program
    • OS - Device Dependent
    • OS - Command.com
    • OS - Bug
    • OS - PCL
    • OS - Ansi.Sys
    • OS - Desktop Level
    • OS - Android

Computer Language terms

    • Language - Assembly
    • Language - ANSI
    • Language - Embedded System
    • Language - AI
    • Language - Beta Version
    • Language - JQuery
    • Language - .Net

Google Terms

    • Google - Gravity
    • Google - Goglogo
    • Google - Barrel Roll
    • Google - Fonts
    • Google - Heart Graph
    • Google - Voice
    • Google - Movie Show Times

Some Other Terms

  • Terms - Antistatic Device
  • Terms - ATM
  • Terms - AirDrop
  • Terms - Abort
  • Terms - Bleed
  • Terms - Daisy Chain
  • Terms - Thunderbolt
  • Terms - Virus

Other Links

  • Computer Terms - PDF Version

Footer

Basic Course

  • Computer Fundamental
  • Computer Networking
  • Operating System
  • Database System
  • Computer Graphics
  • Management System
  • Software Engineering
  • Digital Electronics
  • Electronic Commerce
  • Compiler Design
  • Troubleshooting

Programming

  • Java Programming
  • Structured Query (SQL)
  • C Programming
  • C++ Programming
  • Visual Basic
  • Data Structures
  • Struts 2
  • Java Servlet
  • C# Programming
  • Basic Terms
  • Interviews

World Wide Web

  • Internet
  • Java Script
  • HTML Language
  • Cascading Style Sheet
  • Java Server Pages
  • Wordpress
  • PHP
  • Python Tutorial
  • AngularJS
  • Troubleshooting

 About Us |  Contact Us |  FAQ

Dinesh Thakur is a Technology Columinist and founder of Computer Notes.

Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved.