Where are Internal Command Files Stored?
Internal command files are stored directly within the COMMAND.COM binary. This means that the binary executable file, COMMAND.COM, contains the code for all internal commands. When the operating system loads COMMAND.COM into memory, it also loads the internal commands stored within it. This integration allows the internal commands to be readily available whenever the command interpreter is invoked.
The COMMAND.COM binary is typically located in a specific directory reserved for system files, such as the root directory of the system drive (e.g., C:\ in MS-DOS or Windows). It is a important component of the operating system’s command-line interface, responsible for interpreting and executing commands entered by the user.
Since internal command files are part of the COMMAND.COM binary, they are always accessible without the need for additional loading or configuration steps. This ensures that users can quickly execute common commands directly from the command prompt, contributing to a seamless and efficient command-line experience.
What is an Internal Command?
DOS Commands are important instructions for managing files and directories in Windows. They’re case-insensitive and follow the 8-dot format for file names. Each file has a primary name (up to 8 characters) and a secondary name (up to 4 characters with a dot). Common secondary names include .txt for text files, .com for command files, .sys for system files, and so on.
Special characters like < > , . / * ? | & Space are not allowed in file or directory names.
Internal commands are integral to Windows, embedded in the command.com file, and easily accessible. They’re important for smooth operation and are always available, whereas external commands are effective tools that can fix issues, enhance performance, and perform different actions. They’re stored individually from internal commands to reduce system load. You can add external commands to Windows by copying their files to your computer when needed.