DOS Batch

MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was originally called QDOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System), because it was written in just two months by Seattle Computer Products, who sold all rights to Microsoft in 1981. In a deal which would have landmark significance, Microsoft had agreed to supply the MS-DOS operating system to the new IBM PC. Thus, the computer industry as we know it today began to take shape.

MS-DOS batch files are, as the name suggests, text files in which several MS-DOS commands are batched up to run in sequence. They have rudimentary support for conditional logic, loops, branching and error handling and are extremely useful for automating routine tasks. Several versions of MS-DOS are still in use and even releases of Microsoft Windows such as Windows NT and Windows 2000, which do not require MS-DOS to run a PC, are still equipped with a command line environment in which MS-DOS batch files are supported.

Related links on the internet

DOS Batch Language: A Personal View

This is an a collection of notes, references and tutorials in the DOS batch language, written by Ted Davis. Excellent on the building blocks of DOS batch files and includes some pretty advanced examples of DOS batch programming.

DOS Batch Programming

Good site covering advanced topics in DOS batch programming. Includes a "Stupid DOS Tricks" section that contains at least one curious tip (using ATTRIB to search for files) worth remembering.

MSDN Online

Microsoft's repository of development knowledge. A vast library coupled with a large downloads section featuring many free products.