Stop Execution (Ctrl-Break) / Configuration / prompt $p$g

(354 total words in this text)
(410 Reads)  

Stop Execution (Ctrl-Break)

If you wish to stop the computer in the midst of executing the current command, you may use the key sequence Ctrl-Break. Ctrl-Break does not always work with non-DOS commands. Some software packages block its action in certain situations, but it is worth trying before you re-boot.

Configuration As mentioned earlier, many PC users/administrators design menu-driven interfaces to the most used applications allowing the user to avoid dealing with the command-prompt. Further, there are many ways to make DOS look and feel the way you want it to--to a degree of course. Unfortunately, such modification includes a bit of editing of files and is not within the scope of this course.

It is important, however, to have one thing set right if you're trying to get comfortable with DOS. In the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your PC, if it isn't there already, you will want to have the following line included so that your prompt includes the current directory:

prompt $p$g

The AUTOEXEC.BAT file can be edited to include this command by using the EDIT command which was discussed earlier in the documentation. Batch files are text files that contain a series of DOS commands that will be executed in order as listed in the file. You can create batch files that will perform a wide variety of commands. For example, to list a directory page by page, we would normally type:

C:\>dir | more

Instead, if you are used to using the "ls" command on UNIX, you can create a new batch file named LS which will perform the directory command instead of "dir".

· C:\> edit LS.BAT

· Type dir | more

· Then press the Alt key, followed by the f key to display the File menu. (You can also use the mouse.) Press [ALT] + [F]

· Then press the s key to save the file. Press [S]

· To exit, press the Alt key, followed by the f key followed by the x key. Press [ALT] + [F] + [X]

Now, when you press [D] + [ENTER], the operating system will run the D.BAT batch file which in turn will provide a page by page directory.