2.5 File Management Commands:

DEL (ERASE)

Type: Internal

Syntax: DEL (ERASE) [d:][path]filename [/P]

Purpose: Deletes (erases) files from disk.

Discussion

You can use wildcard characters (? and *) to delete groups of files. If you don’t specify a pathname, the program assumes the files to be deleted are on the drive and directory you are currently using. The /P option prompts you to enter a Y or N for each file selected for deletion.

CAUTION

Be careful when you use this command with wildcard characters: groups of files can be erased with one command entry. For example, if you enter del c*.*

All files in the current directory that begin with the letter C will be immediately erased.

Examples

To erase the file CHAP.DOC from the CHAPTERS directory on the diskette in drive D, enter

del d:\chapters\chap.doc

To erase all the files in the current directory, enter

del *.*

If you use this form of the command (to delete all files in a directory), the program will display the prompt

Are you sure (Y/N)?

If you are sure you are deleting the files you want to delete, press the letter Y key to start the erasing process.

RENAME (REN)

Type: Internal

Syntax: RENAME (REN) [d:][path]filename filename

Purpose: Changes the filename under which a file is stored.

Discussion

RENAME changes the name of the first filename you enter to the second filename you enter. If you enter a path designation for the first filename, the renamed file will be stored on that same path.

Wildcard characters (* or ?) may be used with either the first or second filename designation.

Examples

To change the name of the file CHAP.DOC on drive A to CHAP1.DOC on drive C, enter

ren ca:chap.doc chap1.doc

To change the filename extensions to DOC on all files on drive D that have CHAP as the first four characters of the main filename, enter ren d:chap*.* chap.doc*.doc