Solve : Why, Why, Why.?

1.	Solve : Why, Why, Why.?
Answer» Hello everybody, I know this might seem like a STRANGE question but, what is DOS actually for?? I know what it can do (create partitions and root directories and the like) but surely creating different files and folders in Windows is basically the same. If you want to keep files private then you create different user accounts with file permissions etc. The only thing I can see its use for is when you have more than 1 O/S ( have I just answered my own question??) All thoughts will be greatfully received, CheersLook it up in Wiki or another source...it basically was an OPERATING system built way before Windows came along... Wiki says "MS-DOS has effectively ceased to exist as a platform for desktop computing", SO basically the question STILL stands. Surely Windows can run without it? I was wondering if any of the experts had any ideas??Quote from: reddevilggg on January 31, 2008, 10:53:41 AM Wiki says "MS-DOS has effectively ceased to exist as a platform for desktop computing", SO basically the question still stands. Surely Windows can run without it? Widows do run without DOS. The last version of windows that was built on top of DOS was Windows ME. In all later version DOS is merely emulated (poorly) for the sake of backwards compatibility. Do not confuse the command prompt present in win 2k/XP/Vista with MS-DOS. The command prompt provides a text based interface (similar to DOS) for cases where text based access might be more practical than a point and click GUI. So the command prompt might look and feel like DOS but it is an application written for Windows just like Paint or Calculator, not an operating system. Thanks Deerpark, that has cleared up some confusion that I had. One more question, What would be the best thing to use the command prompt for. Hmm it is hard to say what the CMD is best for... Basic network diagnostics is usually done in cmd because the TOOLS available in Windows doesn't have a GUI. Batch jobs are also run in the cmd. Thanks again Deerpark, cheers for the input!Glad I could be of service.

Answer»

Hello everybody,

I know this might seem like a STRANGE question but, what is DOS actually for??

I know what it can do (create partitions and root directories and the like) but surely creating different files and folders in Windows is basically the same.

If you want to keep files private then you create different user accounts with file permissions etc.

The only thing I can see its use for is when you have more than 1 O/S ( have I just answered my own question??)

All thoughts will be greatfully received, CheersLook it up in Wiki or another source...it basically was an OPERATING system built way before Windows came along...

Wiki says "MS-DOS has effectively ceased to exist as a platform for desktop computing", SO basically the question STILL stands. Surely Windows can run without it?

I was wondering if any of the experts had any ideas??Quote from: reddevilggg on January 31, 2008, 10:53:41 AM

Wiki says "MS-DOS has effectively ceased to exist as a platform for desktop computing", SO basically the question still stands. Surely Windows can run without it?

Widows do run without DOS.
The last version of windows that was built on top of DOS was Windows ME. In all later version DOS is merely emulated (poorly) for the sake of backwards compatibility.
Do not confuse the command prompt present in win 2k/XP/Vista with MS-DOS. The command prompt provides a text based interface (similar to DOS) for cases where text based access might be more practical than a point and click GUI. So the command prompt might look and feel like DOS but it is an application written for Windows just like Paint or Calculator, not an operating system.
Thanks Deerpark, that has cleared up some confusion that I had.

One more question, What would be the best thing to use the command prompt for. Hmm it is hard to say what the CMD is best for...
Basic network diagnostics is usually done in cmd because the TOOLS available in Windows doesn't have a GUI.
Batch jobs are also run in the cmd.
Thanks again Deerpark, cheers for the input!Glad I could be of service.

Solve : Why, Why, Why.?

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