Each time a command is entered into MS-DOS the computer will go through the steps below.

• Computer looks at the command.com for any internal command MATCHES. If the command entered is not found it continues to the next step.
• Computer looks for executable files in the CURRENT directory that match the user's command entered. If no files exist that match the users command it continues to the next step.
• Computer looks at each of the directories in the environment path that match the user's command entered.
• Below are some different scenarios of how MS-DOS MAY interpret a command that a user enters.
• User enters the "dir" command.
• The computer looks at the command.com and notices that dir is a valid internal command and executes the instructions for that command.
• User enters the "FORMAT" command.
• The computer is unable to find this command in the command.com or the local directory but finds it in the path and executes the command as an external command.
• User enters the name of a game he or she wishes to run.
• The computer is unable to locate the command in the command.com but notices the executable is in the current directory and RUNS that file.

Each time a command is entered into MS-DOS the computer will go through the steps below.