AmigaOS Manual: AmigaDOS Working With AmigaDOS - Revision history

Janne Peräaho: /* AmigaDOS Command Structure */

2021-01-31T15:13:31Z

AmigaDOS Command Structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 31 January 2021
Line 259:		Line 259:
	A sample of the structure of an AmigaDOS command line is illustrated in Figure 3-3. It consists of the COPY command followed by two arguments.		A sample of the structure of an AmigaDOS command line is illustrated in Figure 3-3. It consists of the COPY command followed by two arguments.

	[[File:DosFig3-3.png\|~~center~~\|frame\|Example Command Line]]		[[File:DosFig3-3.png\|none\|frame\|Example Command Line]]

	An argument is an additional piece of information the command uses, such as a file name or option. Command arguments are similar to icon Tool Types on the Workbench. Depending on the command, arguments can be optional ir required. Figure 3-3 illustrates the following points about arguments.		An argument is an additional piece of information the command uses, such as a file name or option. Command arguments are similar to icon Tool Types on the Workbench. Depending on the command, arguments can be optional ir required. Figure 3-3 illustrates the following points about arguments.

Janne Peräaho: /* Search Path */

2021-01-31T15:13:20Z

Search Path

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 31 January 2021
Line 197:		Line 197:
	When you enter something in the Shell, AmigaDOS looks through the directories in the search pth for a command of that name. It searches the directories in the order they appear in the path until it either finds the command or reaches the end of the path list. When a command cannot be found in any of the search path directories, the Shell displays an Unknown command message, as illustrated in Figure 3-2.		When you enter something in the Shell, AmigaDOS looks through the directories in the search pth for a command of that name. It searches the directories in the order they appear in the path until it either finds the command or reaches the end of the path list. When a command cannot be found in any of the search path directories, the Shell displays an Unknown command message, as illustrated in Figure 3-2.

	[[File:DosFig3-2.png\|~~center~~\|frame\|Search Path]]		[[File:DosFig3-2.png\|none\|frame\|Search Path]]

	{{Note\|AmigaDOS uses the search path to find commands only. You must include a full path to any files referred to in a command's arguments.}}		{{Note\|AmigaDOS uses the search path to find commands only. You must include a full path to any files referred to in a command's arguments.}}

Janne Peräaho: /* File Management */

2021-01-31T15:13:10Z

File Management

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 31 January 2021
Line 52:		Line 52:
	AmigaDOS stores information on a device in a file system, which is an organization of directories, subdirectories, and files. Directories and files are arranged in a hierarchical system often referred to as a tree. The branches are directories, which can include subdirectories. At th ends of the branches are the files, unless the directory is empty. Figure 3-1 illustrates a directory tree.		AmigaDOS stores information on a device in a file system, which is an organization of directories, subdirectories, and files. Directories and files are arranged in a hierarchical system often referred to as a tree. The branches are directories, which can include subdirectories. At th ends of the branches are the files, unless the directory is empty. Figure 3-1 illustrates a directory tree.

	[[File:DosFig3-1.png\|~~center~~\|frame\|Example Directory Tree]]		[[File:DosFig3-1.png\|none\|frame\|Example Directory Tree]]

	=== Devices ===		=== Devices ===

Janne Peräaho: Added the missing devices

2018-07-13T05:46:33Z

Added the missing devices

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:46, 13 July 2018
Line 62:		Line 62:
	AmigaDOS has standard names assigned to peripheral devices that are attached to the various ports, as well as to various logical (software) devices. Generally, these devices are used for output, such as copying a file to a printer. The standard device names are:		AmigaDOS has standard names assigned to peripheral devices that are attached to the various ports, as well as to various logical (software) devices. Generally, these devices are used for output, such as copying a file to a printer. The standard device names are:

	; ~~SYS~~:		; APPDIR:
⚫	: Represents the volume on which the Amiga looks for its basic disk-based resources, such as C: and LIBS:.

	; ~~PAR~~:		; AUDIO:
⚫	: Represents any device~~, usually a printer, that is~~ connected to the ~~parallel~~ port. If ~~you copy~~ a ~~file~~ to ~~PAR:,~~ ~~it is sent to the device attached to the parallel port~~. Output directed here is not modified by any driver software.

	; ~~SER~~:		; AUX:
	: Represents any device connected to the serial port, such as a printer or a modem. Output directed here is not modified by any driver software.

⚫	; PRT:
⚫	: Represents the printer. Output to PRT: goes through the selected printer drive and to the serial or parallel port as specified in the Printer editor in the Prefs drawer.

	; CON:		; CON:
Line 79:		Line 73:
	; CONSOLE:		; CONSOLE:
	: Represents the current console window. An asterisk (*) can also be used in place of CONSOLE:.		: Represents the current console window. An asterisk (*) can also be used in place of CONSOLE:.

			; DF0:
			: Represents the Amiga's main internal floppy drive from which the Amiga attempts to boot if there is no other bootable device available.

			; ENV:

	; NIL:		; NIL:
	: Represents a dummy device commonly used to prevent output from appearing on the screen. All output sent to NIL: is discarded.		: Represents a dummy device commonly used to prevent output from appearing on the screen. All output sent to NIL: is discarded.

	; ~~RAM~~:		; PAR:
	: Represents ~~the~~ ~~Ram Disk~~, ~~which is~~ a ~~portion~~ of ~~the~~ ~~Amiga's~~ ~~internal~~ ~~memory~~ ~~that~~ ~~can~~ be ~~used~~ as a ~~storage~~ ~~device.~~ ~~All~~ ~~information~~ in ~~RAM:~~ is ~~lost~~ if the ~~Amiga~~ is ~~rebooted~~ or ~~turned~~ ~~off~~.		: Represents any device, usually a printer, that is connected to the parallel port. If you copy a file to PAR:, it is sent to the device attached to the parallel port. Output directed here is not modified by any driver software.

			; PIPE:

			; PIPECON:

		⚫	; PRT:
		⚫	: Represents the printer. Output to PRT: goes through the selected printer drive and to the serial or parallel port as specified in the Printer editor in the Prefs drawer.

	; RAD:		; RAD:
	: Represents a special kind of Ram Disk that is only lost if the system is turned off, but not when rebooted. Refer to Appendix C for detailed information.		: Represents a special kind of Ram Disk that is only lost if the system is turned off, but not when rebooted. Refer to Appendix C for detailed information.

	; ~~DF0~~:		; RAM:
	: Represents the Amiga's ~~main~~ internal ~~floppy~~ ~~drive~~ ~~from~~ ~~which~~ ~~the~~ ~~Amiga~~ ~~attempts~~ to ~~boot~~ if ~~there~~ is no ~~other~~ ~~bootable~~ ~~device~~ ~~available~~.		: Represents the Ram Disk, which is a portion of the Amiga's internal memory that can be used as a storage device. All information in RAM: is lost if the Amiga is rebooted or turned off.

			; RANDOM:

			; RAW:

			; SER:
		⚫	: Represents any device connected to the serial port, such as a printer or a modem. Output directed here is not modified by any driver software.

			; SYS:
		⚫	: Represents the volume on which the Amiga looks for its basic disk-based resources, such as C: and LIBS:.

			; SWAP:

			; TCP:
			: Represents Amiga's network resources.

			; TEXTCLIP:

			; URL:

	=== Directories ===		=== Directories ===

Steven Solie: /* Double quotation mark (") */

2014-03-28T17:07:00Z

Double quotation mark (")

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 28 March 2014
Line 292:		Line 292:
	Using double quotation marks with nothing between them is a quick way to reference the current directory. For example:		Using double quotation marks with nothing between them is a quick way to reference the current directory. For example:

	1> COPY DF0:public.library TO " "		1> COPY DF0:public.library TO ""

	If the current directory is LIBS:, the public.library file is copied there.		If the current directory is LIBS:, the public.library file is copied there.

Steven Solie: /* AmigaDOS Command Structure */

2014-01-29T19:35:32Z

AmigaDOS Command Structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 29 January 2014
Line 234:		Line 234:
	A sample of the structure of an AmigaDOS command line is illustrated in Figure 3-3. It consists of the COPY command followed by two arguments.		A sample of the structure of an AmigaDOS command line is illustrated in Figure 3-3. It consists of the COPY command followed by two arguments.

	~~Figure 3~~-3. Example Command Line		[[File:DosFig3-3.png\|center\|frame\|Example Command Line]]

	An argument is an additional piece of information the command uses, such as a file name or option. Command arguments are similar to icon Tool Types on the Workbench. Depending on the command, arguments can be optional ir required. Figure 3-3 illustrates the following points about arguments.		An argument is an additional piece of information the command uses, such as a file name or option. Command arguments are similar to icon Tool Types on the Workbench. Depending on the command, arguments can be optional ir required. Figure 3-3 illustrates the following points about arguments.

Steven Solie: /* Search Path */

2014-01-29T19:34:07Z

Search Path

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:34, 29 January 2014
Line 172:		Line 172:
	When you enter something in the Shell, AmigaDOS looks through the directories in the search pth for a command of that name. It searches the directories in the order they appear in the path until it either finds the command or reaches the end of the path list. When a command cannot be found in any of the search path directories, the Shell displays an Unknown command message, as illustrated in Figure 3-2.		When you enter something in the Shell, AmigaDOS looks through the directories in the search pth for a command of that name. It searches the directories in the order they appear in the path until it either finds the command or reaches the end of the path list. When a command cannot be found in any of the search path directories, the Shell displays an Unknown command message, as illustrated in Figure 3-2.

	~~Figure 3~~-2. Search Path		[[File:DosFig3-2.png\|center\|frame\|Search Path]]

	{{Note\|AmigaDOS uses the search path to find commands only. You must include a full path to any files referred to in a command's arguments.}}		{{Note\|AmigaDOS uses the search path to find commands only. You must include a full path to any files referred to in a command's arguments.}}

Steven Solie: /* File Management */

2014-01-29T19:32:26Z

File Management

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 29 January 2014
Line 52:		Line 52:
	AmigaDOS stores information on a device in a file system, which is an organization of directories, subdirectories, and files. Directories and files are arranged in a hierarchical system often referred to as a tree. The branches are directories, which can include subdirectories. At th ends of the branches are the files, unless the directory is empty. Figure 3-1 illustrates a directory tree.		AmigaDOS stores information on a device in a file system, which is an organization of directories, subdirectories, and files. Directories and files are arranged in a hierarchical system often referred to as a tree. The branches are directories, which can include subdirectories. At th ends of the branches are the files, unless the directory is empty. Figure 3-1 illustrates a directory tree.

	~~Figure 3~~-1. Example Directory Tree		[[File:DosFig3-1.png\|center\|frame\|Example Directory Tree]]

	=== Devices ===		=== Devices ===

	Devices include logical devices and the hardware associated with your Amiga, such as floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, the Ram Disk, RAD:, and peripheral devices. Information ~~stroed~~ on these devices can be accessed using a variety of names.		Devices include logical devices and the hardware associated with your Amiga, such as floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, the Ram Disk, RAD:, and peripheral devices. Information stored on these devices can be accessed using a variety of names.

	To access files on a particular volume, you can refer to the volume by its volume name, such as Workbench:, or its device name, such as DF0:. Use the names interchangeably; however, you must always include the colon (:) after the name. When you refer to a disk by volume name, the system searches all the available drives for the volume. If it cannot find a volume of that name, a requester asks you to insert the volume. When you refer to the disk by a particular device name, the system uses whatever volume is inserted in that device.		To access files on a particular volume, you can refer to the volume by its volume name, such as Workbench:, or its device name, such as DF0:. Use the names interchangeably; however, you must always include the colon (:) after the name. When you refer to a disk by volume name, the system searches all the available drives for the volume. If it cannot find a volume of that name, a requester asks you to insert the volume. When you refer to the disk by a particular device name, the system uses whatever volume is inserted in that device.

Steven Solie at 00:02, 25 January 2014

2014-01-25T00:02:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:02, 25 January 2014
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{WIP}}
	AmigaDOS stores information in the same hierarchical structure as Workbench. AmigaDOS commands have specific rules that you must follow when creating and programs to run on your Amiga. You must be familiar with the terms specific to the file system and with AmigaDOS command concepts to successfully use AmigaDOS. This chapter describes the following:		AmigaDOS stores information in the same hierarchical structure as Workbench. AmigaDOS commands have specific rules that you must follow when creating and programs to run on your Amiga. You must be familiar with the terms specific to the file system and with AmigaDOS command concepts to successfully use AmigaDOS. This chapter describes the following:

Steven Solie: /* Running Programs in the Background */

2014-01-25T00:02:01Z

Running Programs in the Background

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:02, 25 January 2014
Line 470:		Line 470:

	You cannot close the Shell window if any programs launched from that window are still running. For example, if you open MEmacs through the Shell, you cannot close the Shell window until you exit MEmacs. Avoid this by using the NIL: device. See Chapter 8 for an example.		You cannot close the Shell window if any programs launched from that window are still running. For example, if you open MEmacs through the Shell, you cannot close the Shell window until you exit MEmacs. Avoid this by using the NIL: device. See Chapter 8 for an example.

			= Refining Your AmigaDOS Environment =

			The following tips help you to set up your AmigaDOS environment to suit your particular needs.

			; Customize your Shell prompt
			: Changing the color, for example, of the prompt string with escape codes makes the prompt easier to distinguished from the rest of the command line and the output that your commands produce. This command line and the output that your commands produce. This helps you keep track of the process number and current directory that are normally part of the prompt. For more information on how to change your Shell prompt, see the PROMPT command in Chapter 6 and the example in Chapter 8.

			; Create a logical directory structure and use meaningful names
			: Because gaining access to something requires knowing where it is, you should organize your disks and directories in a logical way, with names that reflect their contents. However, do not create directory structures that are heavily nested without good reason.

			; Avoid using spaces and other special characters in names
			: Characters with special meaning in AmigaDOS, such as # and ~, are allowed in names, but can cause problems when used on the command line. Use a period (.), underscore (_), or capital letters instead of spaces to separate words in a name: "Anim.file," "Anim_file," or "NimFile" rather than "Anim file."

			; Name related files consistently
			: Giving related file names a common extension or sequential numbering simplifies using pattern matching when processing files.

			; Use assigned names in paths
			: Assigned names allow you to type a short, easy-to-remember name rather than a long path. For example, it is quicker to type ENVARC: than SYS:Prefs/Env-archive. Make your own assigned names for directories you use often and for deeply nested directories.

			; Extend the search path
			: If you have a variety of often-used commands or programs, adding their directories to the search path with PATH or ASSIGN makes accessing them easier.

			; Experiment
			: The best way to learn how AmigaDOS works is to experiment. Provided that you use caution with potentially destructive commands, such as pattern-matching DELETEs, you can experiment freely.