Windows Server 2008 Server Core : Working at the Command Prompt (part 2) - Tracking Command Line Actions with the DosKey Utility

4/2/2012 11:19:58 AM

6. Tracking Command Line Actions with the DosKey Utility

The DosKey utility performs three tasks. First, it provides the history feature that most people use to scroll through existing command line entries. Press Down Arrow to see the next command, Up Arrow to see the previous command, Page Down to see the most recent command, and Page Up to see the oldest command in the history.

Second, you can use this command to edit previous commands. The following list describes the editing features.

LEFT ARROW: Moves to the previous character in the command.
RIGHT ARROW: Moves to the next character in the command.
CTRL+LEFT ARROW: Moves to the previous word in the command.
CTRL+RIGHT ARROW: Moves to the next word in the command.
HOME: Moves to the beginning of the line.
END: Moves to the end of the line.
ESC: Clears the command from the display.
F1: Copies the next character from the same column in the command that you previously issued.

NOTE

The system places the previous command in a special area of memory called the template and lets you work with that command based on the current column position. For example, if you typed Dir *.BAK as the previous command, executed it, and then typed Dir at the command line, pressing F1 would type a space. Pressing F1 again would type the asterisk (*) and so on. Using the same example, pressing F2 and then the letter A would display Dir *.BA at the command prompt. Using the combination of the template and function keys helps you reduce the number of keystrokes you make to type a command.

F2: Searches forward in the previous command for the next key you type after pressing F2.
F3: Copies the remainder of the previous command to the command line.
F4: Deletes characters from the current cursor position up to a character you specify. For example, if the command line currently displays Dir *.BAK and the cursor is blinking under the asterisk (*), pressing F4 and the letter B would change the command prompt to read Dir BAK.
F5: Copies the previous command into the current command line.
F6: Places an end-of-file character (Ctrl+Z) at the current cursor position. You typically use this feature when using the console to create a file.
F7: Displays all of the commands stored in the command history in a dialog box. Select a command using the Up Arrow and Down Arrow. Press Enter to select the command. DosKey types the selected command at the command prompt. Press Enter again to execute the command. You can also note the sequential number in front of the command and use this number with the F9 key.
ALT+F7: Deletes all commands stored in the current command history buffer.
F8: Displays a single command from the command history that starts with the characters in the current command. Press F8 multiple times to cycle through the list of matching commands.
F9: Prompts you for a history buffer command number, and then displays the command associated with the number you specify. Press Enter to run the command. Press F7 to display a list of commands in the command history buffer, along with their associated command number.
ALT+F10: Deletes all macro definitions.

Third, you can use this command to create macros. The macros automate some command line tasks, similarly to batch files, but far more inconveniently. You can also use these macros to interact with applications. This utility uses the following syntax:

DOSKEY [/REINSTALL] [/LISTSIZE=size] [/MACROS[:ALL | :exename]]
  [/HISTORY] [/INSERT | /OVERSTRIKE] [/EXENAME=exename] [/MACROFILE=filename]
  [macroname=[text]]

The following list describes each of the command line arguments.

/REINSTALL: Installs a new copy of DosKey. Use this feature when your current copy has become corrupted or simply filled with extraneous data.
/LISTSIZE=size: Determines the number of commands that will fit within the command history buffer. The default setting is 10.
/MACROS: Displays a list of all of the DosKey macros. The output includes command line macros, as well as those associated with an application.
/MACROS:ALL: Displays a list of all the DosKey macros for all executables that have DosKey compatibility. For example, if you create a DosKey macro for the FTP utility, this command line switch would display it.
/MACROS:
exename: Displays a list of all the DosKey macros associated with the specified application.
/HISTORY: Displays a list of all of the commands in the command history buffer.
/INSERT: Places DosKey in insert mode. Any new text you type at the command line appears in addition to the existing text.
/OVERSTRIKE: Places DosKey in overstrike mode. Any new text you type at the command line replaces (overwrites) existing text.
/EXENAME=
exename: Specifies the name of an executable to use when creating a macro. The resulting macro runs within that application. The application must support DosKey to use this functionality. If you don't specify this command line switch, any macro you create or install runs at the command line and not as part of an application.
/MACROFILE=
filename: Specifies a file containing macros that you want to install.
macroname: Specifies the name for a macro you create. Typing the macro name, followed by an equals sign, and pressing Enter deletes a macro from the list.
text: Contains the text of the macro you want to record. You must include a macro name, followed by an equals sign, followed by the macro text to use this argument. For example, you can define a macro named MyDir that displays a directory by typing DosKey MyDir=Dir *.* /P and pressing Enter. After you create this macro, you can type MyDir at the command prompt, press Enter, and DosKey will execute the MyDir macro.

7. Obtaining Command Line Help with the Help Utility

In most cases, you'll type the name of a utility, followed by the /? command line switch to learn more about it. However, Microsoft decided to make things difficult in some cases. For example, some utilities require that you use the /Help command line switch instead or you might have to use the Help utility to learn more about the command or utility in question. To see a list of commands and utilities that Help supports, type Help and press Enter. This utility uses the following syntax:

HELP [command]

The following describes the command line argument.

command: Specifies the name of the command for which you want to obtain more information. If you type Help by itself and press Enter, you'll see a list of all of the available commands. You can then choose a specific command to learn more about with the Help utility.

8. Working with the System Time Using the Time Command

The Time command displays or sets the system time. This command uses the following syntax:

TIME [/T | time]

The following list describes each of the command line arguments.

/T: Displays the date without prompting for a new time. This command line switch only works when you enable command extensions.
time: Specifies the new system time.

9. Changing the Command Window Title with the Title Command

The title that a command window displays might not seem important at first, but it can be important for two reasons. First, if you have multiple command windows open, using a descriptive title can make it easier to locate the correct command window on the Windows Taskbar. Second, it's important to remember that Windows associates settings changes you make with the command window title. Changing the title affects how Windows stores the settings changes you make. The Title command can change the title of a command window. This command uses the following syntax: