SpartaDOS X Reference Manual

The Command Processor — Commands

Index

Many of the commands are of type "internal" — this means that the command processor knows how to perform the command without loading any other programs.

"External" commands must load from disk or CARtridge into memory and then perform their function. When you execute these commands, they must reside on the current drive and directory, otherwise you must specify what drive or device they reside on (by preceding the command with a device or drive identifier). The PATH command can add additional drives/paths to search for the file. For example the default PATH (which is)

    PATH CAR:

allows commands such as CHTD or DUMP to run without having to specify the "CAR:". Of course you may add additional directory paths (see the PATH command).

You will notice that the command processor itself is "external". This is to give you more memory (3-4Kbytes) to run your application programs. In fact, whenever you run an "external" command or program, the command processor is unLOADed from memory and replaced by the new program. Then, when that program is finished running, the command processor is reLOADed and awaits your command. The exception to this rule is if you enter the command

    LOAD COMMAND.COM

This actually holds and links the command processor in memory, thus the unLOAD/reLOAD cycle is circumvented.

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