What Is the CMD Function?

The command prompt relies on text input, rather than interaction with a mouse.

The "cmd" command is used in Windows operating systems to launch a command prompt, sometimes described as the command interpreter or command line. This allows users to access certain operating system functions. Most users rarely have any need to use the command prompt (a relic that dates to the days of MS-DOS), but for certain programs it is still necessary. The command prompt provides access to the programs and files on a computer, with a variety of standard functions for carrying out common tasks.

Starting

To start the command prompt, enter the "cmd" command into a "Run" window. For the latest version of Windows as of the date of publication, this involves pressing the "Start" button, then entering "cmd" into the text-field box that opens; in earlier versions, you may have to click "Run" after hitting "Start" to get the text box). When you press "Enter," the command prompt window should automatically appear, presenting a text-based interface to enter commands.

Interface

Windows, like major operating systems, uses a graphical user interface. This allows you to interact with the system using images and mouse clicks. This is an intuitive model of interaction that is accessible even for users with little technical knowledge. In contrast, the command prompt lets you interact with the operating system by entering text commands. This provides access to the software on the operating system, but is longer and more labor-intensive than using a graphical interface. You also need to know the commands to enter in order to carry out tasks this way.

Common Commands

The command prompt in Windows can interpret a wide range of commands for interacting with the operating system. To browse to a certain folder, the following command may be used:
cd \images

This changes the location to a folder named "images" in the current directory. Unlike Web addresses, Windows systems use backward slashes rather than forward slashes to indicate directories and drives. Depending on the settings in force, to change directory the following alternate syntax may be required:
chdir \images

To see a list of the files and folders in the current directory, the following command can be used:
dir

Most commands can also take parameters, specifying additional information about the command to execute.

Options

When launching the command prompt, you can specify optional parameters, such as a drive or directory in which to begin. You can launch programs from the command line, while user interaction for some programs is itself carried out through the command prompt, rather than through a user interface for that program. When launching certain programs, the command prompt is automatically closed. To close it manually, simply close the window it appears in.

References

• Computer Hope: How to Get To a MS-DOS Prompt or Windows Command Line
• Microsoft: Windows XP - cmd
• Microsoft: Windows XP - Chdir (Cd)
• Microsoft: Windows XP - Dir

Resources

• Computer Hope: Microsoft DOS cmd and command
• Indiana University: What is a Command Prompt?
• Microsoft: Command-Line Reference A-Z